Dislocated Hip in Dogs: Symptoms & Treatments

A dislocated hip, also called coxofemoral luxation, happens when the joint’s ball part slips out of its socket. This causes damage to the hip’s joint capsule, ligaments, muscles, and bones. Dogs with this condition feel a lot of pain, can’t put weight on the leg, and their hip joint swells up. Things like trauma, joint disease, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hip dysplasia can cause a hip to dislocate.

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To figure out if a dog’s hip is dislocated, vets check the dog over and use X-rays to see where the bones are.¹There are ways to fix a dislocated hip. One is closed reduction, where the hip is pushed back into place by hand. Another way needs surgery, called open reduction.¹It’s key to know, if the hip just dislocated (less than 72 hours ago), manually putting it back works better.¹Putting the hip joint back correctly often means the dog will do well after, with less chance it will happen again.¹.

After fixing the hip, dogs usually need to take it easy for six to eight weeks. Getting fully better takes about two to three months. Right after the injury, many dogs won’t use the hurt leg and might just carry it.²Yet, if the hip isn’t fixed right, dogs can have ongoing pain and permanent problems walking. They might need more surgery for things like osteoarthritis.¹.

Key Takeaways:

• A dislocated hip in dogs is caused by the ball part of the joint coming out of the socket, potentially causing damage to the joint capsule, ligaments, muscles, and bones of the hip.
• Trauma, degenerative joint disease, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hip dysplasia are common causes of dislocated hips in dogs.
• Symptoms of a dislocated hip in dogs include severe pain, inability to bear weight on the affected leg, and swelling of the hip joint.
• Veterinarians diagnose hip luxation through physical examinations and X-rays.
• Treatment options for dislocated hips in dogs include closed reduction and open reduction.
• The long-term prognosis for dogs with a successfully reduced hip is good, with a reduced likelihood of re-dislocation.
• Recovery and rehabilitation can involve restricted activity for six to eight weeks and may take up to two to three months.
• Additional surgical procedures like femoral head ostectomy or total hip replacement may be necessary for unresolved hip dislocations.

Causes of Dislocated Hip in Dogs

There are several reasons why a dog might suffer from a dislocated hip. Trauma, like getting hit by a car or falling from a high place, is the most common cause. This type of injury often leads to the hip being displaced¹. Some conditions can also make the hip joint weak, making dislocation more likely. For example, osteoarthritis progressively harms the hip’s cartilage, causing instability¹.

Another condition, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, cuts off blood flow to the femoral head and may lead to dislocation¹. Furthermore, hip dysplasia, a genetic issue where the hip joint doesn’t form right, is a major cause in certain dog breeds¹.

Good breeding practices and a balanced diet are key in lowering the chances of hip dysplasia and resulting dislocations. By ensuring the health of breeding dogs and giving them the right food, breeders can reduce hip dysplasia cases¹. This helps in preventing future hip problems in puppies.

Statistics on Dislocated Hip Causes and Success Rates

Note: Closed reductions are not applicable for specific causes, as they require surgical intervention. The success rates mentioned are for open reductions.

Symptoms of Dislocated Hip in Dogs

Dogs with a dislocated hip show signs that need fast action. If you own a dog, knowing these signs is crucial. This helps you get the right help from a vet quickly.

“Severe hind limb lameness and an inability to bear weight on the affected leg are common signs of a dislocated hip in dogs.”¹

One key sign of this problem is the dog limping badly. Dogs have trouble walking. They might not use the hurt leg at all, dragging it instead.

“Inability to bear weight on the injured leg is a clear sign of a dislocated hip in dogs.”¹

Besides limping, these dogs won’t put weight on the bad leg. You might see them trying not to use it, or just barely touching it to the ground. They do this because it really hurts.

“A swollen hip joint is often seen in dogs with a dislocated hip.”¹

Another sign is swelling around the hip. The hip might look bigger and hurt when touched. This swelling is because the area around the joint is inflamed.

Dogs might also show they’re in pain in other ways. They could lick the spot, eat less, or seem tired. These signs are also important in knowing if there’s a hip problem.

If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to the vet soon. Quick help can really make a difference for your dog.

Diagnosing Dislocated Hip in Dogs

To find out if a dog has a dislocated hip, vets do a full check-up. This includes looking the dog over and taking X-rays.

During the check-up, the vet moves the dog’s hip to see how it reacts and how well it moves. This lets them see if the joint is stable, spot any issues, and figure out how bad the dislocation is.

X-rays are really important for seeing a dislocated hip and where the bones are. They show how far the hip has moved, any breaks, and other bone problems.

After looking at the dog and the X-rays, vets know what’s wrong and how to fix it. They think about how long the hip has been out, if there are breaks, and if the dog is healthy.

“Figuring out if a dog has a dislocated hip needs a good exam and X-rays. These steps let vets check the joint, see how bad the dislocation is, and find any breaks or other issues.” ¹

Physical Examination for Diagnosing Dislocated Hip

The vet does specific moves to check the hip’s stability and how the dog is overall. They move the hip joint, looking for pain signs, checking movement, and watching how the dog walks and stands.

By seeing how the dog reacts and checking the hip’s stability, vets can tell if the hip is out of place and decide on treatment.

Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays

X-rays are key for looking at a dislocated hip. They let vets see the hip joint clearly, check the bone positions, find any breaks or issues, and see the joint’s condition.

The X-ray shows how bad the dislocation is and helps plan treatment. It can also show other joint problems that might affect treatment and how well the dog might get better.

Vets might also use X-rays after fixing the hip to see how well it’s healing or if there are any problems from the treatment.

“Getting a complete picture with both an exam and X-rays is key to knowing if a dog has a dislocated hip. These steps help vets see how stable the joint is, how serious the dislocation is, and make a treatment plan.” ¹

Treatment Options for Dislocated Hip in Dogs

If your dog has a dislocated hip, fast treatment is key for a good recovery. You have two main choices: closed or open reduction, each with its own pros and cons.

Closed Reduction

Closed reduction is a hands-on, non-surgical method. The vet puts the hip joint back in place without surgery. Dogs are given general anesthesia to make them comfortable. If done soon after the dislocation, usually within 72 hours¹, it often works well.

Next, the dog’s hip gets wrapped up for support, usually for 4 to 14 days¹. This helps the hip heal and stops more injury. Following the vet’s advice on how long to use the wrap is very important.

But there’s a downside. After closed reduction, about half the dogs might have their hip pop out again³. So, it’s important to watch your dog closely and follow all the vet’s instructions to avoid more problems.

Open Reduction

If closed reduction doesn’t work, open reduction might be needed. This is a surgery to fix the hip joint and make sure it stays in place. About 85-90% of dogs get better with this surgery². The vet can also fix any other injuries during the operation.

After surgery, the dog will need a carefully planned recovery. This includes limited movement for six to eight weeks². Your dog might also need physical therapy to get stronger and more flexible. Getting completely better can take two to three months, or even longer, depending on how the dog heals².

Choosing the Appropriate Treatment

Choosing between closed and open reduction depends on the injury, the dog’s health, and the vet’s opinion. The vet will look at the dog’s X-rays, consider the injury, and talk about the best options for treatment.

No matter which treatment you choose, good rehabilitation is crucial. A good rehab plan helps the dog’s hip work better, lowers future arthritis risk, and improves life quality. It might include exercise, physical therapy, and managing the dog’s weight¹².

Rehabilitation needs teamwork between the dog’s owner and the vet. Regular check-ups and sticking to the rehab plan are key for a successful recovery.

Recovery and Management of Dislocated Hip in Dogs

When a dog’s hip gets dislocated, healing and care are key for a good recovery and future health. This includes staying in a crate for rest, doing physical therapy, keeping a healthy weight, and going to the vet regularly.

Keeping the dog in a crate for rest is super important. It stops further harm and lets the hip heal right. Crate rest keeps the hip stable, helps it heal better, and lowers the chance of more issues. It also lessens pain and discomfort while the dog gets better.

Physical therapy is also a big help for the dog to move normally again. Exercises that move the leg but don’t cause pain make the muscles stronger and the joint more flexible. This helps the dog walk better, carry its weight well, and keeps the hip joint healthy.

Keeping the dog at a good weight is vital too. Being too heavy can make the hip problem worse and slow down healing. A healthy diet helps the dog not put too much pressure on the hip, feel less pain, and be healthier overall.

The vet might give medicine to ease pain and help the hip get better. These medicines lower swelling and help with joint health during healing. They make the dog feel more comfortable and help with any hip issues.

Seeing the vet regularly is very important to check how the dog is healing. The vet will look at how well the hip is doing and might change the healing plan if needed. They will also give advice on how to keep the hip joint in good shape.

To get the best results for a dog with a dislocated hip, it’s important to do a few things. Resting in a crate, doing special exercises, eating right, and visiting the vet can really help. This way, the dog can have a great life even after the hip problem.

Surgical Techniques for Dislocated Hip in Dogs

When other methods like closed reduction don’t work for a dog’s dislocated hip, surgery is the next step. This helps make the joint work right again and avoids more problems¹. Open reduction is a type of surgery used¹. Here, the vet makes repairs to the hip and might use special parts to keep the bone in place¹.

If the hip is really bad or the dog already has arthritis, a surgery called femoral head osteotomy (FHO) might be done¹. This means taking off the top part of the thigh bone to make a new joint. It helps the dog move better and feel less pain¹. The vet decides if this surgery is needed based on the dog’s condition¹.

After hip surgery, dogs need to take it easy to heal right². They might need to limit how much they move for up to six weeks. Sometimes, they need even more time to get fully better².

Dogs that get their hip fixed properly after surgery usually do well later¹. They’re less likely to have the hip pop out again and can live happily¹. But if the hip can’t be fixed right, they might need more treatment for joint pain later on¹.

Long-term Prognosis and Complications

The outlook for a dog with a dislocated hip depends on treatment success, the cause, and complications. If the hip is fixed through surgery or other ways, the dog tends to do well. It will likely have less pain and move better¹. But, there’s a chance the dog may get arthritis in that hip, needing ongoing care³. Arthritis leads to pain, stiffness, and trouble moving, which can make life hard for the dog. Early vet visits and care can lessen these arthritis effects.

Another problem to watch out for is the hip popping out again. This can happen even after it’s been put back in place, especially with certain treatments³. About half the time, the hip might dislocate again with non-surgical methods³. Surgery tends to work better, preventing the issue around 85-90% of the time². If the hip comes out again, more treatment or surgery may be needed to keep the hip stable and avoid more issues.

As dogs with hip problems get older, arthritis is more likely³. This condition can be really tough, causing ongoing pain and movement problems. Regular checks and managing arthritis with medicine, joint care, keeping a healthy weight, and physical therapy can make a big difference. These steps help keep the dog comfortable and as active as possible.

In the end, dogs with a treated dislocated hip often have a good outlook, but there can be bumps along the way like arthritis and the hip popping out again¹³. Continuous vet care, taking the right steps early, and treating problems can help dogs live happier, more comfortable lives despite these challenges.

Preventing Dislocated Hip in Dogs

Dogs can often suffer from a painful hip dislocation, affecting their life joy. Yet, it’s tough to fully stop hip dislocation in dogs. There are, however, many steps owners can take to lower the chance and keep joints healthy.

Responsible breeding practices: To prevent hip dislocation in dogs, responsible breeding is critical. By screening for hip dysplasia and choosing healthy breeding pairs, breeders can cut down the risk of hip problems. This helps to avoid hip dysplasia and hip luxation (Dislocated Hip in Dogs: Symptoms & Treatments).

Nutrition: What dogs eat is key for strong joints and preventing hip issues. A diet full of crucial nutrients like calcium and vitamin D supports bone growth and health (Dislocated Hip in Dogs: Symptoms & Treatments).

Hip dysplasia screening: It’s important to check dogs for hip dysplasia often, especially if their breed is at higher risk. Finding hip problems early means we can deal with them sooner, which helps prevent worse issues like hip luxation (Dislocated Hip in Dogs: Symptoms & Treatments).

By taking these steps, owners can help their dogs, especially those prone to or having weak hip joints. Focusing on good breeding, the right diet, and dealing with risks tied to hip dysplasia can greatly reduce dislocated hips in dogs.örterung>

“By conducting hip dysplasia screening and selecting breeding pairs with healthy hips, breeders can significantly minimize the genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia and subsequent hip luxation.”²

“Proper nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining healthy joints and preventing hip dysplasia.”²

“Early detection of hip dysplasia allows for timely intervention and management, reducing the likelihood of hip luxation.”²

Conclusion

A hip out of place in dogs hurts a lot and needs quick vet care. To help the dog feel better and avoid big problems later, it’s important to find and treat it early. This might mean putting the hip back in place without surgery or with surgery. Keeping the joint healthy after with rehab and care is key. Good breeding and food can stop hip problems before they start. Dog owners can make their pets’ lives better by taking these steps.

Statistics show that craniodorsal luxations are the top type of hip out-of-placeness in dogs. The ones facing downward are rare and harder to fix. Hip dislocation mostly happens because of accidents, like being hit by a car. Yet, in some old, small dogs, it can happen all of a sudden without an injury. Even though putting the hip back in place without opening up works a lot, 45% might need another fix. But, after surgery, most dogs do really well.

According to PetMD⁵, getting hit by cars is a big reason dogs’ hips dislocate. This doesn’t happen often but can be serious with underlying issues like hip dysplasia. Fixing a dog’s hip through surgery could cost a lot, between $6,000 and $15,000. This depends on how complex and serious the hip problem is.

Source Links

1. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hip-dislocation-and-post-operative-care-in-dogs
2. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/dislocated-hip-dogs
3. https://www.fetchpet.com/the-dig/dog-dislocated-hips
4. https://www.animalsurgicalcenter.com/hip-luxation
5. https://petcube.com/blog/hip-dislocation-in-dogs/