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- 🧬 New Discoveries Helping Dogs with Hip Dysplasia & Osteoarthritis!
🧬 New Discoveries Helping Dogs with Hip Dysplasia & Osteoarthritis!
Let the scientists cook!
Bryan Reisberg
May 08, 2025
Recent Advances in Dog Science: Hip Dysplasia & Osteoarthritis
It’s our job to stay on top of the news as it relates to our pets — most importantly, health-related news. Since it’s probably all of our goals to figure out how to take the best care possible of our pets, when there are new scientific discoveries or advances in canine medicine, we’re all over it.
And this week, I want to talk about hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis, and some advances in the field that I think are pretty incredible.
First off, here’s a quick crash course in hip dysplasia:
🦴 What is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where the hip joint (ball-and-socket) doesn't fit together properly.
The ball (femoral head) doesn't sit well in the socket (acetabulum), causing instability and potential damage to the joint over time.
It's like when a puzzle piece doesn't fit—over time, the joint wears out.
📊 How Common is It?
Very common, especially in larger breeds (e.g., German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers).
Some estimates suggest that 20% to 30% of dogs could have it to some degree.
Genetics play a major role, but environmental factors (like obesity and rapid growth) can worsen it.
🩺 How is it Diagnosed?
Physical Exam: Vet checks for pain, stiffness, or limping in the hips.
X-rays: The best diagnostic tool; they show how much the joint is misaligned or damaged.
Joint Manipulation: Sometimes vets move the joint around to check for looseness.
Scoring Systems: Vets use systems like the PennHIP method or the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) score to evaluate the severity of dysplasia.
🚶♂️ Signs/Symptoms
Limping or lameness in one or both back legs.
Difficulty getting up after lying down, especially after rest.
Stiffness, especially in the morning.
Reluctance to jump or climb stairs.
Pain in the hips, particularly during movement.
🔬 Pathology
The joint doesn’t form properly, and the ball and socket don’t fit snugly, leading to:
Abnormal wear and tear on the cartilage.
Inflammation and pain in the joint.
Over time, it leads to arthritis (osteoarthritis).
This can restrict movement and cause chronic pain.
💉 Treatment Options
Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief.
Joint Supplements: Glucosamine, chondroitin, or omega-3 fatty acids may help with cartilage repair and inflammation.
Weight Management: Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces stress on the joints.
Physical Therapy: Can help build muscle around the joint to support it.
Surgery:
Total Hip Replacement (THR): Replaces the entire joint with an artificial one.
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO): Removes the ball part of the joint, so it stops causing pain, often used for smaller dogs or if THR isn't an option.
Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO): A more complex procedure to re-align the joint before arthritis sets in, usually done in younger dogs.
💪 Prognosis
Mild cases: Can live a normal life with some medication and weight management.
Severe cases: Might require surgery for pain relief, and even then, long-term management may be needed.
Hip dysplasia is a progressive condition that, if caught early and managed, can allow dogs to live relatively pain-free lives, especially with the right treatment plan.
Now we know what it is, let’s look at how hip dysplasia has recently been in the news, and how some incredible scientists are working to help dogs with this progressive and degenerative condition:
Recent Advances in Science
🧬 Genetic Advances in Hip Dysplasia + Osteoarthritis
According to the AKC, researchers have identified a genetic marker associated with hip dysplasia in dogs. A study involving 209 dogs found a region on chromosome 24 containing the NDRG3 gene, which plays a role in cell growth and response to stress. This gene is linked to joint cartilage health and may contribute to the development of hip dysplasia. While this discovery is promising, further research is needed to validate these findings and develop genetic tests for early detection.
🦴 Novel Treatment Options
Intra-Articular Device for Hip Osteoarthritis: A new veterinary device composed of collagen and elastin particles has been developed for intra-articular injection in dogs diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis. This device aims to protect cartilage from mechanical grinding and has shown potential benefits in preliminary studies.
Short Stem Total Hip Replacement: The University of Florida is evaluating a novel short stem total hip replacement in dogs with hip osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia. This new implant design involves less bone removal, potentially reducing the risk of complications and improving recovery outcomes.
Biological Resurfacing Implant: A tissue-engineered, bicomponent implant combining 3D weaving, additive manufacturing, and mesenchymal stem cells has shown promise in restoring hip function in a canine model of hip osteoarthritis.
Stem Cell and Hyaluronic Acid Combination: Combining stem cells with hyaluronic acid has shown improved range of motion in dogs with hip dysplasia, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach.
🔬 Diagnostic Innovations
Automated Assessment of Hip Dysplasia: A deep learning-based system has been developed to automatically identify and quantify femoral neck thickness index (FNTi), a key metric in diagnosing canine hip dysplasia. This system achieved high accuracy and could assist veterinarians in early detection and treatment planning.
💉 Clinical Trials & Therapeutic Studies
FDA-Approved Stem Cell Trials: Cornell University has received FDA approval for clinical trials exploring the use of stem cells to treat musculoskeletal and neurological abnormalities in dogs, potentially offering new treatment avenues for hip dysplasia and arthritis. Cornell Vet College
Piclidenoson for Osteoarthritis: Vetbiolix has concluded a multicenter clinical trial on Piclidenoson for dogs with osteoarthritis, achieving encouraging final results that may lead to new treatment options.
If you or anyone you know has a pet with either hip dysplasia and/or osteoarthritis, we highly recommended reading further about these novel treatments and trials, and stay up to date on what scientists around the world are doing to help our pets.
The Biggest Dog Party in the World Is Headed to St. Louis!
Hosted by Internet-famous corgis Hammy & Maxine, the world’s largest dog party will descend upon Bar K in St. Louis on Saturday, May 17th, 2025. What can you expect?
🌴 Tropical Vibes & A Park Full of Chonks: Get ready to be surrounded by the most adorable, fluffy pups in a doggy paradise! It’s a Luau like you’ve never seen before! 🐶
🍹 Delicious Local Eats & Drinks: From Bar K’s tasty bites to local vendors, we’ve got your cravings covered while you soak in the fun. 🍔
📸 Caricatures, Photo Ops & Surprise Celebrity Pups: Snap pics with your pup, get a custom caricature, and keep your eyes peeled for surprise celebrity pup guests! 🐾
🎉 Games, Contests & Surprises: This year, we’re turning it up with limbo contests, hula lessons, dog races, prizes, and tons of surprises! You won’t believe what we have in store! (Sign up for the Little Stumps Dog Race HERE—your pup could be the next champion!) 🏆
🎊 This is the BIGGEST Chonkfest ever: We’re pulling out all the stops with tons of new surprises, activities, and an unforgettable day of fun. Get ready for an experience you and your doggo will never forget! WE'RE EVEN GONNA HAVE A FERRIS WHEEL!!
👨👩👧 A Party for Everyone: Whether you’re bringing your own floofy friend or just love dogs, all humans (over 2) and pups are welcome. Humans under 21 need to be with an adult. 🏖️
Get your tickets NOW before they sell out—this will be the most epic Chonkfest of all time, and you won’t want to miss out! 🌴🐾
“The Squeeze”: Dog News In 60 Seconds
Today’s Last Laugh:
I’d pay anything to join this gym:
