Diet and Exercise

• One of the simplest ways to treat canine hip dysplasia is to keep your dog at the appropriate weight for his size. Extra pounds will put added pressure on the hip joints and amplify symptoms. Veterinarians can recommend lower calorie dog foods that will help with weight management, and may suggest an exercise regimen that will hasten weight loss. In general, daily exercise is a good idea for dogs with hip dysplasia because it promotes good range of motion and helps build muscle. It is usually better, however, to give your dog multiple, shorter bouts of exercise than one long workout.
  
  

Physical Therapy

• Dogs with hip dysplasia often benefit from massage or physical therapy. This can help loosen stiff muscles and increase range of motion. Like people who suffer from arthritis, cold, wet weather may aggravate your dog's symptoms, so it is a good idea to keep him warm. Sweaters can help in winter months. Special orthopedic beds can also help alleviate some symptoms because they ensure that the dog's weight is distributed evenly and lessen pressure on the joints. If your dog's symptoms are severe, using a ramp to help him go outside or get into the car can be helpful.
  
  

Medication

• For older dogs with only occasional symptoms of hip dysplasia, a vet may recommend the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These not only help alleviate a dog's pain, but reduce inflammation in the joints as well. Some commonly prescribed NSAIDs include carprofen, deracoxib, etodolac, meloxicam and firocoxib. In addition, dogs with hip dysplasia may benefit from taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, which help rebuild cartilage. Your vet may also recommend injections of polysuflated glycosaminoglycan or hyaluronic acid into the dog's joints to help alleviate symptoms.
  
  

Surgery

• In advanced cases of hip dysplasia, surgery may be the best treatment option. There are several different procedures that a vet can perform, and your veterinarian will recommend one based on your dog's age and the severity of the dysplasia. Triple pelvic osteotomy is normally used in puppies that have not yet shown any damage to the hip joint. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis is also used in young dogs because it must be performed before the dog reaches 20 weeks of age.
  
  

Hip Replacement

• Dogs with severe, chronic hip dysplasia are usually the best candidates for total hip replacement. The existing joint is removed and replaced with a prosthesis, ridding the dog of joint pain and degeneration. This treatment is only available for older dogs because the skeleton must be fully matured. A total hip replacement is an expensive procedure, and in cases where cost is an issue or the dog is not a candidate for replacement, vets may recommend a femoral head and neck excision. This is best performed on dogs under 40 pounds, and will help relieve pain and increase the dog's activity level.