Hip & elbow dysplasia in pets

Hip & elbow dysplasia in pets.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common orthopedic conditions that affect many dogs, and sometimes cats. These conditions involve abnormal development of the hip or elbow joints, leading to pain, lameness, and arthritis. While large breed dogs are more commonly affected, these conditions can occur in any breed or size.¹

This article addresses frequently asked questions about hip and elbow dysplasia, providing valuable information for pet owners to understand, manage, and potentially prevent these conditions.

What are hip and elbow dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn't develop correctly. The ball and socket joint becomes loose and unstable, leading to abnormal wear and tear, pain, and inflammation.

Elbow dysplasia is a term encompassing several developmental abnormalities in the elbow joint. These abnormalities disrupt the normal joint mechanics, causing pain, cartilage damage, and arthritis.

What causes hip and elbow dysplasia?

While the exact cause is unknown, hip and elbow dysplasia are considered multifactorial conditions, meaning several factors contribute to their development. These factors include:

Genetics: hip and elbow dysplasia are highly heritable, meaning they are often passed down from parents to offspring. Certain breeds are predisposed to these conditions.²
- Rapid growth: rapid growth, especially in large breed puppies, can increase the risk of developing dysplasia.³
- Nutrition: nutritional imbalances, particularly excessive calcium intake, can contribute to abnormal bone development.⁴

Environment: factors like exercise, weight management, and trauma can influence the development and progression of dysplasia.⁵

What are the symptoms of hip and elbow dysplasia?

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual pet. Common signs include:

Lameness or limping: This can be intermittent or persistent, affecting one or both limbs.
- Stiffness: Especially after rest or exercise.
- Difficulty rising, jumping, or climbing stairs.
- Pain or discomfort when the joint is manipulated.
- Decreased activity level or reluctance to exercise.
- Muscle wasting in the affected limb(s).
- Grating or clicking sound in the joint.

How are hip and elbow dysplasia diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of:

Physical examination: your veterinarian will assess your pet's gait, range of motion, and joint stability.

Radiographs (x-rays): x-rays are essential for confirming the diagnosis and evaluating the severity of the condition.⁶

What are the treatment options for hip and elbow dysplasia?

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual pet. They can include:

Medical management: this involves pain management, weight control, exercise modification, and joint supplements.⁷
- Physical therapy: targeted exercises and therapies can help improve muscle strength, joint flexibility, and overall mobility.⁷
- Surgery: several surgical options are available to correct or improve joint function, including total hip replacement and various elbow dysplasia correction procedures.⁷

How can I prevent hip and elbow dysplasia in my pet?

While you can't completely eliminate the risk, especially in predisposed breeds, you can take steps to minimise the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia:

Choose a reputable breeder: select a breeder who screens their breeding dogs for hip and elbow dysplasia.⁸
- Maintain a healthy weight: avoid overfeeding and ensure your pet maintains a healthy weight throughout their life.¹
- Controlled exercise: provide regular, moderate exercise, avoiding excessive stress on the joints, especially during puppyhood.¹

Proper nutrition: feed a high-quality diet formulated for your pet's age and breed.

How Everyday Pet Insurance can help with hip and elbow dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia can be expensive to manage, especially if surgery is required. Everyday Pet Insurance can help cover some of the costs with our range of plans:

What we cover:

Eligible vet expenses: this includes some costs for consultations (not covered by basic), diagnostic tests (like x-rays and blood tests), medications, surgeries, and
hospitalisation.⁹
- Illness cover: illness cover includes treatment for an unexpected issue which requires a trip to the Vet. This includes some of the more common dog health issues that aren't a pre-existing condition or a general exclusion. Hip and elbow dysplasia are considered and assessed as illnesses under our policies, meaning they are covered under our Basic, Standard, Comprehensive, and Comprehensive Plus plans, subject to the terms and conditions

Important Considerations:

Waiting periods: a 30-day waiting period applies for illnesses, so ensure you have your policy in place before any signs of dysplasia appear.
- Pre-existing conditions: like most pet insurance policies, we don't cover pre-existing conditions. However, if your pet meets the requirements of a temporary condition, it might still be covered. You can apply for a pre-existing condition review to determine eligibility. Find out more about pre-existing conditions.
- Age limits: for our Standard, Comprehensive, and Comprehensive Plus plans, your pet must be between 8 weeks and 9 years old when you first apply. For the Basic plan, your pet must be older than eight weeks when you first apply.

Above is a summary only. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement for full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply.

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¹“Hip Dysplasia.” OFA, https://ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia/. Accessed 30 October 2024.

²Monitoring Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Achieved Modest Genetic Improvement of 74 Dog Breeds over 40 Years in USA, 4 October 2013, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3790730/. Accessed 30 October 2024.

³“Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment – American Kennel Club.” American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs/. Accessed 30 October 2024.

⁴“Large Breed Puppies: Excessive Calcium Is Detrimental to Healthy Bone Development.” Purina Institute, https://www.purinainstitute.com/centresquare/life-stage-nutrition/large-breed-puppies-excessive-calcium. Accessed 30 October 2024.

⁵Sallander, M. H., Hedhammar, A., & Trogen, M. E. H. (2006). Diet, exercise, and weight as risk factors in hip dysplasia and elbow arthrosis in Labrador Retrievers.The Journal of Nutrition, 136(7 Suppl), 2050S–2052S.

⁶“Canine Hip Dysplasia.” American College of Veterinary Surgeons, https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/canine-hip-dysplasia/. Accessed 30 October 2024.

⁷Fitzpatrick, N., & Solano, M. (2010). Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia in dogs. In Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice (Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 909-920). W.B. Saunders.

⁸Dogs Victoria. (2023). Understanding hip and elbow dysplasia.

⁹This is an example of treatment which is covered if provided in relation to conditions covered by your policy, subject to policy T&Cs, limits, exclusions, excesses and waiting periods. See PDS for further information.

text: Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.

Hip & elbow dysplasia in pets: what every pet owner should know.

Pet Insurance

06 Dec 2024

Hip & elbow dysplasia in pets: what every pet owner should know