Pug Dog Hip Dysplasia

Overview

As with Leggs-Calves-Perthes, this condition involves the hip joint and socket. There are connective tissue and ligaments that surround the area to facilitate movement, cartilage for cushioning, and natural fluids for lubrication. All of these aspects work together, allowing a dog to be mobile. Hip dysplasia refers to a malfunction of one or all of these aspects.

This can include:

Abnormal joint structure. The head of the femur does not sit properly into the socket; there are bone spurs that prevent it from fitting correctly or it is the wrong size.
Weakened support. The connective tissues, muscles, and surrounding ligaments may weaken, causing instability.
Subluxation. The two bones within the hip joint become separated.

This may affect just one side or both. However, with most dogs, if signs are only in one hip, the other will be affected to a lesser degree.

Occurrence Rate

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) keeps statistics of this and several other issues. Note that this only includes dogs whose records are submitted to OFA. At the time of this writing, the Pug ranks #2 out of 187 breeds, with dysplastic hips identified in 70% of 717 dogs.

Age of Onset

This most often manifests at a young age, when a dog is between 4 and 12 months old.

In rare cases, a Pug may live with hip problems for years and only when it transitions from minor to moderate will the dog show signs of decreased mobility and pain.

Symptoms

It is clear when there is a case of hip dysplasia; you will notice a change in how your Pug dog walks and moves. He will have one or more of the following signs:

Lameness in hind leg(s)
Holding the affected leg in an odd way, limping (sometimes referred to as a ‘bunny hop’)
Signs of discomfort
Narrow stance (holding rear legs close together)
Loss of muscle tone
Mobility issues (trouble rising, difficultly in maneuvering stairs, etc.)

How this is Diagnosed

Hip dysplasia in Pug dogs is diagnosed with x-rays and a physical examination. The leg will be manipulated to see which positions may cause pain. It is considered to be relatively easy to diagnose.

Treatment, Non-surgical:

The main goal is to avoid surgery unless absolutely necessary as it is a drastic and costly procedure with a long recovery period. There are many non-invasive treatments for Pugs with hip dysplasia that all work together to help the dog recover:

• Excess weight gain prevention/weight loss since any excess weight puts undue pressure on a weakened hip. With pups, a plan will be put in place to help prevent future issues of possible excess weight gain. With older dogs, the vet will speak to you about any excess weight that your Pug may be carrying and devise a weight loss plan, if needed. Even losing just a few pounds can be beneficial.

This is usually done with a gradual reduction of calories while still feeding good quantities since most Pugs have hearty appetites. Adding fresh vegetables to meals such as kale, spinach, and carrots to add bulk with few calories is one method that can help. A switch to a low-calorie kibble may be recommended; do be careful on which brand you choose, since some that are labeled 'lite' contain too many carbohydrate fillers that will leave a Pug hungry an hour later.

For treats, offer low calorie healthy snacks so that your Pug can still enjoy the extra attention that comes with rewards in between meals.

• Exercise adjustments. The tricky part about exercise being part of the treatment plan for hip dysplasia in Pug dogs is that the condition causes pain and trouble with mobility which makes it difficult for a Pug to move. And, owners often question why they should walk a Pug that has trouble walking. However, this will strengthen the muscles that surround the hip joint and help increase range of motion. If a Pug stays sedentary, the condition often worsens.

Exercise may involve restrictions regarding walking on hard surfaces (at least at first). Sessions may begin on grass and slow walks up hill may be incorporated in time.

• Physical therapy. This may involve manual stretching, massage, and/or hydrotherapy (walking on a specialized treadmill in water).

• A supportive bed. Lack of a proper mattress can put undue pressure on the affected hip while a quality orthopedic bed will provide the correct support for the body by distributing weight and reducing pressure on the hips.

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Rimadyl) are often given to help with discomfort and inflammation. The veterinarian will carefully monitor the dosing.

• Corticosteroids such as prednisone may be given. Because of possible serious side effects including lowered immune system and increased thirst and/or appetite, this is usually only given short-term and dogs are gradually weaned off.

• A joint supplement like Doggie Dailies Advanced Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs with combined glucosemine, chondroitin, MSM, and CoQ10 can help with pain and inflammation, help a Pug with mobility and plays a big role in helping to prevent arthritis which commonly occurs in dogs with this condition.

• An omega-3 EPA and DHA should be given. This can also control inflammation, help with mobility, and are used to help prevent arthritis. One of the easiest methods of providing this is via a liquid fish oil, which most dogs love. For this, Zesty Paw's Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is an excellent choice.

• Adequan injections. This is a DMOAD (disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug) that is approved by the FDA to help repair cartilage and is given via injections. Because arthritis is very common with dogs that have had hip issues, this is often given as a preventative measure. It can be rather expensive however and is typically injected twice per week for up to 4 weeks.

• Additional treatment may involve laser therapy or acupuncture.

Treatment, Surgical

If non-surgical treatment options do not resolve pain issues or in very severe cases, surgery may be recommended. For larger dogs, total hip replacement is an option; however, small breeds like the Pug are typically not good candidates for this. Surgery that is performed on smaller breeds includes:

1- Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis. This is usually only done on puppies under the age of 5 months old, before bones are done growing. Pelvic bones are fused together which changes the angle of the hips.

2- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO). Done when a dog is under 12 months old, this involves surgically breaking the pelvic bone and repositioning the femoral head of the hind leg.

3- Femoral Head and Neck Excision. The head of the femur bone is removed and an artificial joint replaces the hip. When this is successful, range of motion is decreased but dogs are usually free from pain.

Prevention

Now that we've covered how terrible this condition can be and how much pain it can cause a Pug dog, let's look at steps that you can take to try and prevent this.

1. Pre-breeding testing. This is a genetic disease and if all dogs were properly screened before breeding, hip dysplasia would be extremely rare. Any Pug being considered for breeding should be OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and PennHIP (University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) certified. These organizations test for genetic markers; dogs with these markers should be excluded from breeding.

2. Keep your Pug at a healthy weight since excess stress on the joints exacerbates issues.

In regard to food, do not offer table scraps. Keep a set schedule for meals and snacks. Follow feeding guidelines to ensure your Pug has nutritious well-balanced meals.

In regard to exercise, do not allow your Pug to stay sedentary. Though Pugs can overheat easily and breathing issues can worsen with heavy exercise, light cardio is an important part of weight maintenance. Follow exercise guidelines to keep your Pug active.

3. Limit jumping from heights. Do not encourage any activity that involves jumping from too high of a height. This includes having your dog leap off outdoor objects such as large rocks or jumping off of furniture such as sofas and beds. If a Pug has some favorite spots that do require a leap off, it's best to place a ramp or pet steps there.

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