Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that occurs during growth and is classed as a deformity of the hip. It can also be affected by additional factors such as diet, growth rate, muscle mass, hormone levels, and the amount of exercise they get.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that is commonly found in many dogs, including Corgis. You’ll often see it come across as a wobbliness or stiffness in the hind legs. While it is treatable, it can also be very uncomfortable and painful. Some experts used to think that only large and giant breeds had to worry about it, but that’s not the case.
The truth is that hip dysplasia can affect any dog. But things like genetic testing and ensuring your dog has a healthy diet and lifestyle can help reduce the risks and even prevent them from developing it in the first place. So, Corgi owners, new and old, let’s take a look at what hip dysplasia is and how to prevent it.
Key Takeaways:
- Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that can be checked for in parent dogs
- It isn’t always preventable, but it’s worth trying
- A healthy diet, lots of exercise, and responsible breeding are the best prevention
- Corgis with hip dysplasia can still lead happy and healthy lives
- Surgery is only ever offered in extreme circumstances
What Is Hip Dysplasia?
Canine hip dysplasia is classed as a skeletal condition. It’s most commonly seen in large and giant breeds of dogs. However, it can affect any breed, regardless of how big or small they are. The way hip dysplasia works is that it directly impacts the ball and socket of the hip joint, which can result in a very painful and debilitating condition.
This is because the ball and socket do not fit properly, usually because of improper growth that causes a deformity. As a result, they do not move together smoothly as they would in an unaffected dog. The ball and socket grind together with every movement. Over time, this causes the joint to deteriorate and can result in loss of use of the limb in question.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, which means it passes down from parents to offspring, and this is how many Corgis end up developing it. It can also be caused by an excessive growth rate, which is part of why it is more commonly seen in large and giant breeds. However, genetics are not the only thing that can cause hip dysplasia.
Additional causes of hip dysplasia in Corgis include:
- Poor nutrition and diet
- Incorrect nutrition as a puppy (puppy food really does matter)
- Not enough exercise
- Hormonal imbalances
- Environmental factors
- Muscle mass and growth
What Are The Symptoms Of Hip Dysplasia?
When your dog starts to show signs of hip dysplasia can vary drastically. Some may demonstrate the early signs from as young as four months old. Others might end up developing osteoarthritis when they’re much older before the symptoms make themselves apparent. Regardless of when it appears, these are the symptoms to look out for:
- Reduced activity and enthusiasm
- Reduced range of motion (can’t move around as easily)
- Struggling to run, get up the stairs, and jump (and reluctant)
- Lameness in their hind legs
- Swaying legs and wobbling (bunny-hopping)
- Loss of muscle mass in the thighs
- Much larger shoulder muscles
- Grating joints when they move
- Pain and discomfort
- General stiffness and/or limping
How Is Hip Dysplasia In Corgis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis process for hip dysplasia in Corgis is very simple. A lot of the time, your vet will check for it as part of your pup’s routine checkup. They manipulate and play with the joints in their hind legs to test how loose they are. This helps them check for pain and discomfort, grinding, or general loss of range of motion.
They may also request bloodwork because inflammatory conditions can be seen in the results (which hip dysplasia is). The diagnosis is confirmed with an x-ray or a radiograph. This is because it helps your vet determine which form of treatment is best so that your Corgi can get back to being their happy and bouncy selves.
How Do You Treat Hip Dysplasia?
There are two main courses of treatment available – surgical and non-surgical. You are more likely to be offered the latter for your dog, depending on how severe their case is. The non-surgical treatments tend to involve:
- Weight loss programs
- Restriction of exercise
- Physical therapy
- Joint supplements
- Anti-inflammatories
- Modifiers for joint fluids
If your Corgi has a severe case of hip dysplasia, they might be a good candidate for surgery. There are four surgical options for this disease, and they are:
- Double pelvic osteotomy (DPO)
- Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO)
- Femoral head osteotomy (FHO)
- Total hip replacement (THR)
Responsible Corgi breeders will ensure that both parent dogs are in tip-top health. They will also be willing and happy to provide you with the results of health screenings to validate this. While no signs of hip dysplasia in either parent doesn’t guarantee your puppy won’t eventually get it, your breeder should be able to explain (with proof) how they ensure the health of their dogs. Check out Curby’s Corgis ‘Practices & Policies’ page for what this looks like.
How To Prevent Hip Dysplasia In Corgis
It is important to remember that not every case of hip dysplasia is preventable. However, it is always worth doing your best to reduce the risk of your Corgi developing it. Skeletal health starts from when they are a puppy. This means ensuring they are getting the correct food for their size and age to ensure they have the nutrients they need to grow properly.
Exercise and a complete diet as they grow are paramount to their development. This will help to reduce the risk of them developing hip dysplasia. Additionally, ensuring you use a responsible breeder who does health screenings for both parents is an absolute must before you buy a Corgi puppy (any good breeder does this). These are the best forms of prevention.
Keeping your Corgi at a healthy weight helps to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Find out how much Corgis should weigh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Corgis Get Hip Dysplasia?
No, not all Corgis get hip dysplasia. It is a genetic disease, and it can be affected by things like a dog’s diet, environment, hormone levels, and even growth rate. To help prevent the disease from passing down genetically, responsible breeders will always health test both parents to see what their hip and elbow score is like.
Is Hip Dysplasia in Corgis Related to Back Problems?
No, hip dysplasia in Corgis is not related to any back problems they suffer from. The condition is completely separate and caused by different factors to spinal issues such as IVDD. However, it is still possible for Corgis to suffer from both of these conditions at the time time.
Can Hip Displaysia in Corgis Cause Arthritis?
Yes, Corgis with hip dysplasia can develop arthritis over time. Especially if the dysplasia is not caught and allowed to progress for a long period. Sometimes, it is hard to spot the signs of dysplasia, and it’s not until arthritis begins to show up that it gets noticed. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s too late to treat either condition.
Final Thoughts
Hip dysplasia isn’t always as awful as it sounds. Yes, it is a painful disease and one that gets progressively worse over time. However, it can also be treated, and most dogs who have it can still go on to lead full and happy lives. It’s stressful, and you certainly don’t want your dog to get it, but if they do, modern medicine has some fantastic solutions.
Before you get any dog, it is important to check out the various health problems they might be more prone to. With Corgis, it’s things like IVDD and eye issues alongside hip dysplasia. This is why it’s vital to get your puppy from a reputable breeder who does thorough health checks on both parents. After all, you want your Corgi to have the best life possible.
Do you have experience with his dysplasia in Corgis? If you have any advice to share, please do leave it in the comments below 🤍
