Shane Morrison, lead orthopaedic veterinary surgeon at Christchurch Vets, offers his advice on treating hip dysplasia in dogs. 

Question: Fred is my much loved nine-year-old Border Collie. He has suffered from bad hips for most of his life, having had hip dysplasia as a young dog. I have diligently controlled his exercise and his weight, following the advice from my vet.

Fred is also on a combination of anti-inflammatory medications and has been for a number of years. However, he has recently experienced side effects, particularly upsetting his digestion, which my vet feels might be related to this medication.

Are there any other treatment options for his hips that will avoid these side-effects?

Shane Morrison, lead orthopaedic veterinary surgeon at Christchurch VetsShane Morrison, lead orthopaedic veterinary surgeon at Christchurch Vets (Image: Simply C Photography)
Answer: I am sorry to hear that Fred has been troubled by his painful hips for most of his life. Hip dysplasia is commonly seen in Border Collies as well as many other breeds of dog. It inevitably leads to arthritis of the hips over the course of months and years.

Unfortunately, the medications that we generally use to manage the pain and inflammation associated with this arthritis can themselves cause problems, as you have seen.

Apart from gastrointestinal issues that you have seen develop in Fred, these medications can also have deleterious effects on the liver and kidneys when given over a number of years.

I wonder whether your vet has mentioned the possibility of hip replacements for Fred. Hip replacement surgery in dogs has successfully been undertaken in several referral centres across the country for a number of years now.

We have actually been performing hip replacement surgery in dogs for the past 20 years in our own referral centre. The results for the majority of patients are very good, with complete resolution of the pain and discomfort associated with hip arthritis.

Before considering a hip replacement for Fred, he would need to be examined to make sure that his hip arthritis was his only, or main problem. Other joints, particularly his stifles (knees) and also his lower back would need to be evaluated. This might mean having further X-rays and MRI scans.

Once other conditions were excluded, the first of Fred’s hip replacements could be scheduled. Six to 12 months after that, the second hip replacement could be safely undertaken.

Fred would then not require any ongoing medication as his prosthetic hips would be free of pain. There would then be no concern about drug side-effects and Fred would be a much happier dog.

For more information, please visit christchurch.vet or call 01473 230999.