Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common inherited condition that affects many dog breeds. It occurs when one or both hip joints develop abnormally, leading to poor fit and function of the joint.
This condition is present from a young age, but symptoms can worsen over time, especially as your dog becomes more active. Excessive use of an abnormal joint can lead to deterioration, which is often painful and can significantly affect your dog’s health, behaviour, and overall quality of life.
This is why screening for hip dysplasia is so important — early detection allows you to plan for your dog’s care and manage the condition as effectively as possible.
How Does Screening Work?
Screening for hip dysplasia involves taking x-rays of your dog’s hips to check for irregularities or abnormal joint development. Once the x-rays are taken, your vet will upload them to the British Veterinary Association (BVA) portal. There, the X-rays are reviewed by a panel of expert veterinary surgeons, who assess and score the hips based on specific criteria. Your vet will then share the results with you.
Understanding the Results
Each hip is scored across nine different areas, which together provide an overall score reflecting the condition of your dog’s hips.
- The lower the score, the healthier the hips.
- Scores range from 0 to 53 for each hip, giving a total possible score of 106.
Primary Changes (First 3 Areas)
These assess the basic structure of the hip joint — how well the femoral head (ball) fits into the acetabulum (socket). This fit is the main factor influencing the score. The worse the fit, the higher the score.
Secondary Changes (Next 6 Areas)
These assess arthritic changes caused by underlying dysplasia. These changes may worsen with age or as arthritis progresses.
- A low primary score indicates minimal evidence of hip dysplasia.
- A low secondary score shows little to no evidence of secondary arthritis caused by dysplasia.
Breeds Commonly at Risk of Hip Dysplasia
- Border Collie
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- German Shepherd
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Golden Retriever
- Goldendoodle
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Labrador Retriever
- Labradoodle
- Newfoundland
- Rottweiler
