Understanding the health of your dog’s hips is a crucial aspect of ensuring their overall well-being, especially in breeds known to be prone to joint problems. A ‘dog hip score’ is a measurement derived from X-rays of the hip joints and is used by veterinarians to assess the likelihood of hip dysplasia. 

The score assigns a numerical value to the structure of the hip, with a lower score indicating fewer abnormalities and a healthier hip. By comparing a dog’s hip score to the breed average, owners and breeders can make informed decisions about breeding practices and the care required to maintain their dog’s joint health from a young age.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) provides guidelines for scoring, ranging from 0 (no signs of dysplasia) to 53 per hip, amounting to a total possible score of 106.

Understanding Canine Hip Dysplasia

In this section, you’ll learn about hip dysplasia in dogs, its symptoms, and the breeds most at risk. This knowledge aids in early detection and informed decisions regarding your pet’s health.

The Basics of Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common genetic condition in dogs where the hip joint – the ball and socket mechanism – develops abnormally. This malformation can hinder their quality of life, leading to arthritis or osteoarthritis, characterised by chronic joint inflammation.

Recognising Symptoms and Pain Management

Early signs of hip dysplasia may include difficulty rising, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, and an abnormal gait. As the condition progresses, your dog may exhibit signs of pain or discomfort when engaging in activities they previously enjoyed. 

Management typically involves a combination of weight management, exercise moderation, joint supplements, pain relief medications, or, in severe cases, surgery. If you suspect your dog has hip dysplasia, consult a vet for diagnosis and to discuss the most suitable pain management options.

Genetic Factors and Breeds at Risk

Certain dog breeds have a predisposition to hip dysplasia due to genetic factors. Large breeds like the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Rottweiler are particularly prone to this condition.

If you’re considering breeding dogs, it’s key to have their hips scored at a young age to make informed breeding decisions. The average hip score varies by your dog’s breed, and breeding animals with lower scores than the breed average is generally advised to reduce the risk of passing on the predisposition.

Treatments for Hip Dysplasia

When treating hip dysplasia, there are several ways to deal with pain management and assisting your dog’s hips, knees, and ball and socket joint. This includes: 

• Stem cell therapy – This can help to reduce inflammation and joint pain, as well as arthritis and elbow dysplasia.
• Total hip replacement – Another option to get rid of hip dysplasia is to simply replace the dog’s hip joint with a metal implant.
• Joint supplements – A simpler alternative is to just give your dog supplements, such as vitamin C, ashwagandha, or chondroitin.
• Weight reduction – Some dogs may experience pain relief after losing weight. In this case, it’s advised to consider their diet and exercise regime.  
• Anti-inflammatory medications – Alternatively, NSAIDs and other medications have been shown to reduce pain in dogs. That said, you should not give your dog paracetamol.
• Physical therapy – For some pups, physiotherapy is an effective way to treat hip dysplasia. This is because it strengthens the surrounding muscles and alleviates pain.

Download the free eBook: Healing Your Dog’s Arthritis: The Stem Cell Therapy Guide

Hip Dysplasia Screening and Scoring

In this section, you’ll learn about how dog hip scoring helps identify hip dysplasia, the impact of breed-specific scores, and why regular screening is crucial for canine health.

Introduction to Hip Scoring

Hip scoring is a vital method used to assess the health of your dog’s hip joints. The process involves X-rays taken by veterinary surgeons to detect signs of hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip joint fails to fit together perfectly, causing pain and mobility issues.

Consider having your dog screened at a young age or if you’re considering breeding and having puppies. Ultimately, it’s best to consult with a vet to determine the ideal time for scoring your dog’s hips. 

Scoring Process and Interpretation

Veterinary surgeons perform hip scoring by taking X-rays of your dog’s hips while under sedation or general anaesthetic. Specialist scrutineers then review these X-rays, evaluating various features of the hip joints such as the fit of the ball and socket, the presence of any abnormal movement, and signs of arthritis.

Each hip is given a score, which is combined to form a total score. This final score reflects the health of your dog’s hips, with lower scores indicating healthier joints. A good hip score is between 0 and 3, especially when considering breeding stock.

Breed-Specific Median Scores

The Kennel Club and the BVA publish the average hip scores for various dog breeds, known as the breed median score. This data (calculated from all the scores recorded from the previous 5 years) enables you, as a breeder or owner, to compare your dog’s score with the breed average.

Benefits of Regular Screening

Regular screening of hips allows breeders and owners to make informed decisions about breeding. It plays a crucial role in reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia by identifying and selectively breeding dogs with healthy hip scores. For prospective dog owners, this information can guide them in selecting a puppy with a lower risk of hip problems.

Challenges in Scoring Accuracy

The accuracy of hip scoring can be affected by various factors, such as the dog’s positioning during X-rays or the subjective nature of the scoring process. Nevertheless, five scrutineers, who are professionals in the field, review the X-rays independently to provide a balanced, final appeal score. 

Despite these challenges, hip scoring remains a trusted method for assessing the risk of hip dysplasia in dogs.

Responsible Breeding and Canine Health

When selecting and breeding dogs, responsible practices are crucial to maintaining the health and welfare of canine populations. These include understanding and utilising hip and elbow scores, adhering to breeding ethics, and the important roles played by kennel clubs and individual breeders in promoting canine health.

Selecting Breeding Stock

Your choice of breeding stock directly impacts the health and genetic diversity of puppies. Breeding stock should be selected for their good health, temperament, and genetic robustness. Hip and elbow scoring are vital health tests that provide critical information on a dog’s joint health.

It’s advisable to choose dogs with a hip score well below the breed average, ensuring they are less likely to pass on the potential for hip dysplasia. Likewise, for breeds prone to elbow dysplasia, an elbow score is equally important. By choosing breeding stock with good hip and elbow scores, you support the health of future generations.

Health Tests and Breeding Ethics

Health testing is a cornerstone of ethical breeding. Beyond hip and elbow assessments, responsible breeders conduct a suite of health tests relevant to the breed. These may include eye tests, genetic screenings, and heart examinations to weed out common heritable conditions. 

Ethical breeders are transparent about their breeding animals’ health statuses, including any issues that health tests reveal. They make informed breeding decisions based on a combination of health screenings, behaviour assessments, and genetic health considerations.

The Role of Kennel Clubs and Breeders

Kennel clubs play a significant role in overseeing and advocating for health-conscious and responsible breeding. They maintain and publish records of hip and elbow scores, which can be critical for breeders when selecting mates for their dogs. 

These scores also help prospective dog owners make informed decisions when purchasing a puppy. Many also offer online submission systems for hip and elbow radiographs, with a panel of experts to evaluate them. 

The BVA partners with kennel clubs to carry out the scoring, which considers multiple components of the hip joint. Breeders have a responsibility to use these resources and adhere to guidelines set forth by kennel clubs, which often reflect the latest research in canine health. 

Get a Free Consultation with Stem Cell Vet Today

If you’re worried about your dog’s hips or just general wellbeing, then Stem Cell Vet is here to help you. Our vets are registered with the BVA, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association.

Whether you live close to our practices in Somerset or further away, we offer free in-person, phone, and video consultations. Additionally, we have various financing options available, so that you don’t have to stress about up-front payments. 

Contact us at 0808 281 2455 or enquiry@stemcellvet.co.uk to book your free consultation. For more reassurance, check out one of our case studies from the many dogs that we’ve helped.