orthopedic
Hip dysplasia in dogs
Answer
Hip dysplasia in dogs typically costs $1,500 to $12,000 to manage, depending on whether conservative care, FHO, or total hip replacement is chosen. Pet insurance covers hip dysplasia treatment when no symptoms were documented before the policy waiting period ended. Most insurers consider it incurable, so once excluded it stays excluded.
Signs to watch for
- 01Bunny-hopping gait when running.
- 02Difficulty rising, climbing stairs, or jumping.
- 03Loss of muscle tone in the rear legs.
- 04Audible clicking from the hip joint.
Treatment options
- 01Weight management and physical therapy for mild cases.
- 02NSAIDs and joint-support supplements (omega-3, glucosamine).
- 03FHO (femoral head ostectomy) for small to medium dogs.
- 04Total hip replacement for severe cases or working dogs.
Prognosis: manageable
Typical cost in the US
How insurance handles it
Covered when not pre-existing. Bilateral exclusions are common: if one hip is symptomatic before coverage, the other may be excluded as related.
Frequently asked
Mild signs often appear by 6 to 12 months. Some dogs do not show clinical symptoms until middle age when secondary arthritis develops. Radiographic screening from the OFA or PennHIP is available from 4 months onward.