Dog hip dysplasia is the most common orthopedic disease for medium to large breed dogs and can affect 10%-70% of pure breeds. If you are worried your dog may have hip dysplasia, there are several options for treating and reducing symptoms.
We’ll cover all your options for treating hip dysplasia and explain why CBD may be a natural alternative to reduce inflammation and pain associated with dog hip dysplasia.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia for Dogs?
Canine hip dysplasia is a disease that deforms the top of the femur where the hip joint grows at a different rate, creating uneven rubbing of the joint cartilage. It can cause pain, difficulty moving, and osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia often develops during a dog’s juvenile growth phase.
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons reports that the two leading causes of canine hip dysplasia are:
Genetics
Unfortunately, hip dysplasia is prevalent for larger dog breeds and some mixed breed dogs. The breeds that are very susceptible to hip dysplasia include:
- Bulldogs
- German Shepherds
- Golden Retrievers
- Labrador Retrievers
- Mastiffs
- Old English Sheepdogs
- Rottweilers
- Saint Bernards
If you’re worried your dog may have hip dysplasia or may be susceptible based on its breed, you should see your veterinarian to diagnose and discuss your treatment options.
Nutrition
Rapid weight gain and growth through overeating can also cause hip dysplasia. Nutritional studies also show that these nutritional factors can influence hip dysplasia development:
- Rate of Growth and Weight Gain
- Feeding Methods
- High-Calorie Feed Consumption
- Specific Nutrients (such as calcium)
- Electrolyte Balances
If you have a larger breed dog, it is important to feed your dog a balanced puppy food designed for large breeds. This way, your dog will maintain a healthy weight and won’t gain weight rapidly during its growth phase.
Related: Dog CBD Treats
Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Puppies can show signs of hip dysplasia as early as two to three months old but usually develop in puppies that are one to two years old. And some dogs may not show signs until they are much older as their bones gradually degenerate. Here are the most common symptoms of canine hip dysplasia:
- Weakness or pain in hind legs
- Wobbly when sitting or standing
- Limping while favoring a leg
- Avoiding or reluctant to use stairs
- Has difficulty jumping into the car
- Lifting a limb in the air
- Reluctant to exercise
- An audible pop or cracking sound when moving the hip
If you notice any of these joint pain symptoms, you may want to contact your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to examine, diagnose the specific problem, and give suggestions for relieving your dog’s hip pain.
Treatments Available for Hip Dysplasia
The severity of your dog’s hip dysplasia will affect how your vet treats the disease, such as:
Minor Cases
If your dog is showing mild symptoms of hip dysplasia, then your vet may recommend:
- Regular pain management through supplements and prescription NSAIDs
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory supplements
- Specially formulated mobility health dog food
Obese or Overweight Cases
For overweight dogs, your vet will want to create a proper nutritional plan that may include:
- Weight loss plan to reduce friction on the joints
- Specially formulated weight management dog food
- Low impact exercise
- Therapeutic, strength-building exercises
Severe Cases
Severe cases will most likely need surgery:
- Total hip replacement
- Femoral head ostectomy
The Best Natural Supplements For Relieving Pain from Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
These are the best supplements to reduce inflammation in the hip joint for dogs:
Do you prefer natural supplements with low side effects to manage your dog’s inflammation? Shop our full line of CBD treats and oils specially formulated for dogs.
Related Link: CBD Success Story: Joint Pain
Possible Benefits of CBD for a Dog’s Hip Dysplasia
As a natural alternative to NSAIDs, CBD has very few negative side effects for dogs. CBD oil may be able to help relieve the symptoms of hip dysplasia by:
- Reducing inflammation: Inflammation is the primary cause of pain in the hip joint. CBD may increase blood flow, protecting the hip joint from further damage and initiating the healing process.
- Reducing pain signals: CBD may block the vanilloid pain receptors in the brain, which help reduce the pain signals that reach the brain.
- Stimulating the cartilage tissue repair and regeneration process: CBD may activate chondrocytes in the hip joints to help rebuild lost cartilage tissue.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that CBD does appear to hold therapeutic promise for managing pain and inflammation, but more studies are needed. The AVMA also hopes the FDA will soon approve high-quality CBD products and regulate the current unregulated CBD market's efficacy and safety.
Can CBD Cure Hip Dysplasia?
No. CBD and other supplements cannot cure hip dysplasia. CBD oil may only help reduce the pain and inflammation in the hip joint.
CBD is a Natural Alternative to NSAIDs for Canine Hip Dysplasia
CBD oil is an all-natural supplement that many pet parents use to help their pets manage inflammation and joint pain caused by canine hip dysplasia. They prefer a natural supplement because NSAIDs can have some undesirable side effects that disrupt your dog’s quality of life.
While more studies are needed, CBD may become a legitimate part of a dog’s overall treatment and pain management plan for hip dysplasia. It is critical that you talk to your vet about using CBD or any other supplement in your dog’s treatment plan for correct dosage and efficacy.
Dope Dog offers all-natural, THC-free CBD oil products that may reduce your dog’s suffering from inflammation or joint pain. We offer a variety of CBD treats, shampoos, and oils, allowing you to choose the best CBD delivery method for your dog.
Would your dog benefit from a natural anti-inflammatory supplement to reduce hip and joint pain? Shop Dope Dog CBD oils and treats.
Related Link: CBD Dog Treats for Joint Pain
