Care for Hip Dysplasia at Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital

If your beloved pet is having trouble getting around, and the problem appears to be occurring in his hips, he may be suffering from a degenerative joint condition known as hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia can cause severe pain, stiffness, and lameness, but fortunately, treatment is available. Our veterinary facility in Duarte CA, Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital, can provide various options for treating and managing this serious musculoskeletal issue, giving your pet better mobility and a higher quality of life.

What Is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint becomes increasingly unstable, with the ball of the joint moving loosely in its socket. This abnormal degree of motion encourages the cartilage to break down within the hip socket, while at the same time, bone spurs and scar tissue form inside the joint. These changes can make weight bearing and joint motion extremely painful and difficult. Your pet may resist jumping or climbing stairs, adopt a stiff or "bunny hop" gait, lose muscle mass in the affected leg, and exhibit signs of discomfort. It's worth nothing, however, that these symptoms may not appear until late in the disease's development.

Hip dysplasia can occur in cats, but it's much more common in dogs. It is a congenital problem for certain large breeds such as German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. The extra weight of these breeds may accelerate the breakdown of cartilage seen in hip dysplasia. Overeating and obesity can aggravate the condition further.

Treatment Options from Our Veterinarian

If your pet is hobbling around instead of enjoying his life thanks to the ravages of hip dysplasia, or if he's genetically predisposed to the condition, bring him to Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital. Or veterinarian can evaluate his current age, weight and condition to help us devise the right treatment program for his individual needs. Veterinary treatment options may include:

  • Weight loss or weight control
  • Laser therapy to ease joint pain and inflammation
  • Exercise to keep the hip joints strong and flexible
  • Canine specific NSAIDs or other anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Nutrients such as glucosamine to promote healthy joint function
  • DPO/TPO surgery, a procedure to rotate the head of the femur and prevent further dysplasia in puppies
  • FHO surgery, in which the head of the femur is removed and scar tissue grows to stabilize the joint in its place
  • THR, or total hip replacement surgery

Contact Our Vet Center to Learn More

Don't let hip dysplasia make your pet miserable. Call our Duarte vet center at (626) 357-2251 to learn more about the condition and schedule the necessary care from our veterinarian!

Contact Us

We Look Forward to Hearing From You

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Duarte Office

Monday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed