General information

Hip Dysplasia, shortened HD. In dogs, hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause lameness and arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic (polygenic) trait that is affected by environmental factors. It is common in many dog breeds, and is the most common single cause of arthritis of the hips.
Clinical symptoms
  • Not wanting to be active or exercise.
  • Behavioral changes;
    Hip dysplasia in dogs can lead to significant pain-related aggression, often causing sudden behavioral changes like snapping / snarling, which may not necessarily be directed at the painful area.
  • Difficulty standing up or getting up and down sofas or stairs.
  • Walking in an unusual way, such as a swaying gait.
  • Limping or lameness.
  • Showing pain, such as whining or licking/biting at their hip area.
  • Loss of muscle mass or tone around their hips.
  • A reduced range of movement of the hip.
  • Stiffness.


Please note that symptoms may differ from those mentioned above.

Inheritance & morbidity
Grade Affect Percentage
A - normal 270/579 47%
B - Borderline / Nearly normal
202/579 35%
C - Mild Dysplasia
 74/579 13%
D - Moderate dysplasia 25/579 4%
E - Severe Dysplasia 8/579 1%
Data from Finnish Kennel Club - Tibetan Terriers evaluated 2015-2025. It is important to remember that we talk about probabilities. A grade is just a grade. It is also possible for a dog with an not perfect grade to live a completely normal, pain-free and long life.









Legg Calve Perthes
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a painful, degenerative hip condition primarily affecting young (4-12 months). A slow, increasing limp in one or both hind legs is the most common sign. It is characterized by the spontaneous death (necrosis) of the femoral head—the "ball" part of the hip joint—due to a lack of blood supply. Legg-Perthes in dogs does not only treat with surgery, but surgical intervention is the best and most common treatment for the vast majority of cases. While non-surgical management is possible in very mild cases, it rarely cures the disease and often fails to resolve the long-term pain caused by the disease.

© Pet Pursuit (www.petpursuit.net). Any use, sharing (public or private) or display is forbidden.