Key facts:
- Approximately 20% of German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia.
- The German Shepherd’s distinctive sloped back and hindlimb angulation makes them more prone to hip dysplasia.
- Dogs with hip dysplasia often develop a unique “bunny hopping” gait to avoid pain from overextending their hips.
- Free-feeding large-breed puppies, like German Shepherds, can increase the risk of hip dysplasia due to abnormal bone growth.
- Regular, low-impact exercises like leash walking and swimming can help manage and prevent the progression of hip dysplasia.
The German Shepherd breed is descended from the family of German herding dogs. Not surprisingly, it has been one of the AKC’s most popular breeds in the US since the early 1900s.
Now used as the preferred working canine for police and military units worldwide, the German Shepherd is also a popular family pet. This is down to their loyalty and gentle nature in a family setting. Considered a medium-to-large breed dog, the German Shepherd is a very athletic dog that requires regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
However, as with any breed, the German Shepherd has certain breed-specific health conditions that you should be aware of if you are considering becoming a pet parent to a member of this courageous, confident, and smart breed. With an average lifespan of anywhere from 10-14 years, there is a good chance that your pup will be affected by one or more of the following conditions in their lifetime, including degenerative myelopathy (DM), elbow and hip dysplasia, cancer, gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), allergies, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), and pannus.
According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), approximately 20% of German Shepherds have hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative joint disease that affects dogs’ hindlimbs and typically results in arthritis of the affected hip joint(s) as the disease progresses.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the definition of hip dysplasia, the possible causes, and some breed-specific signs of hip dysplasia in German Shepherds.
What is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?
Hip dysplasia is a developmental orthopedic disease of the “ball and socket” joint of the hip during puppyhood, where the components of the hip joint do not grow at equal rates, either due to abnormal formation of the hip joint or a traumatic fracture to the joint. As a result, there is increased laxity, or looseness, of the hip joint. As the puppy matures and the body attempts to stabilize the “loose” joint, degenerative joint disease (arthritis) typically develops. Pain during movement of the affected joint is generally observed as lameness that can be seen early on during the puppy stage, or as adulthood is reached.
The prognosis for dogs with hip dysplasia is generally good, and the majority of dogs can lead a normal, healthy life. However, it is important to note that those dogs that are diagnosed early in the course of the disease (i.e. as soon as symptoms are noted), generally tend to do better as medical or surgical treatments can be implemented sooner and may be more effective.
Causes of Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds
German Shepherds are among the dog breeds most commonly affected by hip dysplasia. Both genetic AND environmental factors can play a role in the predisposition and development of hip dysplasia in German Shepherds.
For example, breed standards have long dictated that German Shepherds have an exaggerated angulation of their hindlimbs (i.e. the upper and lower thighs should be as close to a 90-degree angle as possible), resulting in their hindlimbs having a distinctly “bent” appearance. This conformation, coupled with a sloping back, makes the German Shepherd much more prone to developing hip dysplasia and lower back pain.
Environmental factors may also play a role in the increased risk of German Shepherds developing hip dysplasia. Risk factors include:
Nutrition
Studies have shown that free-feeding large-breed puppies can lead to rapid and abnormal growth of the muscles, bones, and joints. Therefore, meal-feeding a large breed puppy formula can reduce excessive energy intake and the resulting excessive weight gain during the growth phase. Increased calcium intake during growth has also been shown to increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia due to delayed maturation of the skeleton.
Obesity
Maintaining a lean body condition can help to decrease the amount of stress on the affected joints and, therefore, lessen the signs of arthritis.
Environment and Exercise
Some studies have shown an increased risk of hip dysplasia in puppies that were allowed to run up the stairs before 3 months of age, although this has not been as extensively studied as the effects of nutrition on the development of hip dysplasia. In contrast, a decreased incidence of hip dysplasia has been found in those puppies that were allowed to run off-leash before 3 months of age, as well as those born on a farm and those born in the spring and summer. However, some conflicting studies cite that excessive exercise during growth can increase the chance of developing hip dysplasia.
If you have questions about the proper feeding and exercising of your German Shepherd puppy, you should consult with your veterinarian.
8 Breed-Specific Signs of Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds
Limping or Lameness
Lameness in German Shepherds with hip dysplasia may occur at any age, from young puppies to seniors, although it is most common in dogs that are one to two years of age. Lameness, or the inability to use or favor one or both rear limbs, is most commonly observed after exercise and may be mild, moderate, or severe. Because most dogs will not exhibit obvious signs of pain or discomfort at home, exercise intolerance in an otherwise healthy puppy may be the first sign of German Shepherd hip dysplasia.
Difficulty Rising or Sitting
Many German Shepherds with hip dysplasia will be noticeably stiff when attempting to rise after resting. They may have significant difficulty rising from a lying position, and it may take several attempts. In addition, clicking or popping sounds may be heard when a dog with hip dysplasia attempts to rise from a sitting or lying position. There will also be a noticeable shift in your German Shepherd’s body weight from his back end to his front limbs.
The reverse is also typically true in German Shepherds with hip dysplasia in that they may be very slow and careful when lowering themselves into a sitting position. They might also do a ‘lazy sit’ or ‘frog sit’ where their hind legs are not kept close to their body when sitting and instead are off to one side or positioned straight out in front of them.
Hesitation to Jump or Climb Stairs
Often, German Shepherd Dogs with hip dysplasia may be reluctant to go up and down stairs or even jump on and off of things or in and out of vehicles. This is because that particular movement causes the hip joints to move through their entire range of motion and increases the degree of friction occurring between the bones of the affected ball-and-socket joints. The resulting pain and inflammation make it much less likely that your German Shepherd is going to want to engage in normal activities or exercise routines. Special considerations such as the use of ramps and going on shorter walks can encourage continued normal activity.
Reduced Activity Levels
This can be true for all German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia but is especially recognizable in young puppies. German Shepherd puppies affected by hip dysplasia tend to be “very good puppies.” These puppies may be especially calm and do not play rough as most normal puppies do. After playing or going for a walk, affected puppies will typically sleep for longer periods than normal puppies.
Reduced activity levels can also be observed in adult German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia as a reluctance to do previously normal activities such as walking or fetching. They may also tend to sleep for longer periods because of their pain and discomfort. Some affected dogs can become significantly withdrawn from their owners and all activity around them.
Bunny Hopping Gait
This unusual gait is typically observed when a German Shepherd dog with hip dysplasia is running or attempting to go upstairs. During this abnormal movement, the affected dog moves both of its hindlimbs in the same direction at the same time to propel itself forward in a kind of hopping motion to avoid overextension of the hip joints, which results in significant pain and discomfort.
Muscle Atrophy in the Hindlimbs
As the condition progresses, the majority of German Shepherds with hip dysplasia will develop the appearance of “skinny hips.” This noticeable loss of muscle mass in the hindlimbs, or thighs, results from the affected dog not using their hindlegs as much when running or jumping. Dogs with hip dysplasia also tend to shift their weight forward onto their front limbs more than normal dogs, to avoid the pain and discomfort that often results when using their hindlimbs.
Swaying or Wobbling While Walking
German Shepherds with hip dysplasia will often exhibit an abnormal, or “swaying,” gait (i.e. their back end sways back and forth) when walking. This occurs due to the increased laxity, or looseness, of the affected dog’s hip joints compared to normal dogs.
It is important to take note of any gait abnormalities in your German Shepherd puppy or dog since many of these are not associated with other musculoskeletal conditions in dogs. If noted and diagnosed early on in the course of the disease, long-term management will usually be much more effective.
Pain or Sensitivity Around the Hips
Some German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia will even display behavioral changes as a result of the pain that their hip joints are causing them. These behaviors, such as a sudden increase in irritability and aggression, will most likely occur when petting your dog’s hip region or when your veterinarian is attempting to examine their hip joints. Crying, growling, and snapping are often observed without warning.
Diagnosis for Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds
Hip dysplasia diagnosis is typically made through a combination of physical examination and diagnostic imaging (x-rays).
During the examination, an abnormal gait in the hindlimbs is usually noted. Weight-bearing lameness may or may not be present and palpation of the hip joints may elicit pain and reveal a decreased range of motion.
An additional palpation technique commonly used to diagnose hip dysplasia in young German Shepherd dogs is the Ortolani Palpation Method. This technique is used to demonstrate the presence of hip laxity (looseness) by attempting to manually displace the femur (hip) bone, which will then produce an audible “clunking” sound when the femur returns to the socket. This technique normally requires sedation or general anesthesia and is especially helpful for diagnosing hip dysplasia.
Diagnostic radiographs, or x-rays, remain the primary method used to diagnose German Shepherd hip dysplasia and can also be used to determine the severity of your pet’s condition. Because these X-rays require significant extension of the hips and precise positioning to obtain accurate results, sedation or general anesthesia is utilized. The resulting X-rays are not only used to determine the presence and severity of hip dysplasia but also to evaluate the hip joints for signs of degenerative joint disease (arthritis).
Hip Dysplasia Treatment
Treatment of hip dysplasia depends upon the individual dog’s symptoms and degree of discomfort. Options include both non-surgical (conservative medical management) and surgical methods. Supportive, non-surgical, medical management is typically attempted before surgical procedures. However, some surgical options are limited to certain time frames during a puppy’s growth phase.
Non-Surgical Management
Supportive medical management is common and includes the management of joint pain and inflammation using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. There are several effective options for NSAIDs for German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia, and they are typically chosen on an individual basis. Additional pain medications that are commonly used in conjunction with NSAIDs include gabapentin, tramadol, and amantadine. Basic bloodwork is recommended every 6-12 months to ensure that internal organ damage is not occurring.
Medical management may also include joint wellness routines or diets specifically for joint health that contain beneficial ingredients to promote joint health and reduce the progression of arthritis development. It is important to note that this routine needs to be consistent, daily, to be effective. Injectable therapies are also available that may improve or preserve joint health.
If necessary, weight loss in overweight dogs with hip dysplasia is going to be of utmost importance in reducing the pain and discomfort associated with the condition and resulting arthritis. This will reduce the stress placed on the affected joints and ultimately result in less pain and discomfort for your dog. Daily exercise (most commonly in the form of leash walking) is, therefore, still recommended for German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia.
Physical therapy (i.e. underwater treadmill and strengthening exercises) may also help to reduce pain and inflammation and can be coupled with integrative treatment methods such as acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and massage.
Surgical Management
For German Shepherd dogs that do not respond adequately to medical management, the most common surgical options for adult dogs include total hip replacement (THR) and femoral head/neck ostectomy (FHNO). In contrast, the most common procedures performed in puppies are the Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) and the Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO).
Total hip replacement, or THR, is a good option for adult, German Shepherd dogs with severe hip dysplasia that are no longer responding to conservative medical management. In this procedure, the surgeon replaces the entire “ball and socket” portions of the hip joint with metal or plastic implants. Although this procedure eliminates the majority of the pain associated with hip dysplasia due to the return to almost normal joint function, this procedure is also the most expensive option.
When a THR is not financially feasible for the pet owner, a femoral head/neck ostectomy (FHNO) is also a great option for German Shepherds with hip dysplasia. This procedure also has the advantage of being performed in both young AND adult dogs. This surgery essentially removes the “ball” (head) of the hip bone and results in the body forming a “false” joint composed of scar tissue. While this procedure does NOT recreate the normal joint function of the hip, it is very effective in reducing the pain caused by hip dysplasia.
The two most common surgical procedures available for affected German Shepherd puppies are:
- Juvenile Pelvic Symphisiodesis (JPS)
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy.
- Both of these procedures are used to preserve the anatomy of the hip joint to prevent or reduce the degree of arthritis that will develop later. While these procedures are typically less expensive than a THR, they can only be performed in certain cases.
Preventive Measures for German Shepherds
Because hip dysplasia in German Shepherd dogs is a hereditary condition and some dogs are born with the condition, there is no way to completely prevent it. However, there are some things that pet owners can do to reduce the risk of their dogs developing this condition.
Preventive strategies
- Feeding an appropriate diet (typically meal-feeding a large breed puppy formula until your puppy reaches one year of age) to your puppy to prevent excessive bone and joint growth.
- Providing appropriate levels of exercise for your puppy to prevent obesity.
- Research before acquiring your new puppy.
- Find a responsible breeder.
In addition, responsible German Shepherd breeders can help to prevent inherited German Shepherd dog hip dysplasia by screening their breeding dogs via two methods, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) technique or the PennHIP (Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) procedure.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
The OFA technique is the most commonly used method for screening breeding animals. Using this technique, a German Shepherd intended for breeding can have an x-ray of the hips done at 24 months of age or older. This technique requires sedation or general anesthesia.
Radiologists then evaluate the x-ray, and the dog receives a “score.” Breeding dogs with a score of “good” or “excellent” receive a registration number and are considered OFA-certified to produce offspring with a lesser chance of developing hip dysplasia. However, prospective owners should be aware that OFA certification is NOT a 100% guarantee that neither the breeding parents nor their offspring will go on to develop symptoms of hip dysplasia in the future.
PennHIP (Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program)
In contrast, the PennHIP procedure is performed on German Shepherd puppies as young as 16 weeks (4 months) of age and is based on the review of two different X-rays. This technique also requires anesthesia to obtain the best views. Similarly, the PennHIP procedure is used to select the best animals for breeding purposes.
Living with a German Shepherd with Hip Dysplasia
As mentioned in this article, weight loss or maintaining a lean body condition is extremely important in managing pain in German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia. Decreasing your dog’s weight and maintaining a lean body condition will significantly reduce the stress on your dog’s joints, decreasing discomfort.
Additional recommendations for improving your dog’s comfort and mobility by making simple modifications to their environment include:
- Exercise daily, but decrease the intensity. Leash walks or swimming are great options.
- Avoid jumping and other high-impact exercises, especially on hard surfaces.
- Avoid stairs when possible and utilize ramps when necessary.
- Provide a soft sleeping/resting area, ideally an orthopedic pet bed.
- Place rugs on slippery surfaces to help avoid slips and falls.
- Consider using dog-specific “toe grips” to keep your dog from slipping.
- Keep your dog warm during winter months to reduce pain associated with arthritis.
Remember that long-term management of German Shepherds with hip dysplasia requires close collaboration between you and your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can provide you with the best recommendations for pain management options for your beloved companion. Closely monitoring your dog’s condition at home will be paramount as their disease progresses. Be sure to alert your veterinarian immediately if something does change so that the appropriate changes can be made to their treatment plan.
Final Thoughts on Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds
As we have discussed in this article, hip dysplasia is a common developmental disease in German Shepherd dogs. Abnormal growth of the “ball and socket” joint results in increased laxity, or “looseness,” of the hip joint(s). Degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, of the hips is a common sequelae of hip dysplasia in German Shepherds.
While hip dysplasia in German Shepherds is considered an inherited condition, additional risk factors such as nutrition and obesity can also play a crucial role in the development of this disease. Weight loss and maintaining a lean body condition are the most important things you can do if your four-legged friend is diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
If clinical signs such as an abnormal gait in the hindlimbs, difficulty going upstairs, or abnormally “calm” behavior in a German Shepherd puppy are noted, they should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian immediately. If a diagnosis of hip dysplasia is confirmed, your veterinarian can work with you and your dog. They will be able to provide the most appropriate and effective medical or surgical treatment for your pup. Your vet will also help with recommendations for environmental or lifestyle modifications.
Finally, the majority of German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia CAN live a normal, happy life. However, early diagnosis and implementation of treatment are going to be key for your beloved companion to be able to live comfortably and long into his golden years.
Sources
https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/german-shepherd
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_dg_hip_dysplasia
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952203
