The issue of abnormal development in the absence of gonadal (sex) hormones is the common thread among the studies implicating spay/neuter as a causal factor in the development of hip dysplasia. In the presence of sex hormones, the closure of bony growth plates generally occurs when the dog is between the ages of 4 and 18 months. Spaying or neutering before 6 months, which is common practice in the US, interrupts the production of sex hormones and delays the closure of at least some of the bony plates. Some or all of the bones will grow beyond their genetically determined length, leaving the bones comprising the hip joint mismatched in length. Early spay/neuter significantly increases the occurrence of hip dysplasia.

Beyond the 2007 systematic review ⁸³, a 2008 review ⁸⁹ of 1.2 million records of dogs at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, concluded castrated male dogs were significantly more likely than other dogs to have hip dysplasia.

The 2014 UC Davis study ⁶¹ evaluated the incidence of hip dysplasia in Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers. In both breeds neutering (or spaying) before 6 months of age significantly increased the occurrence of joint disorders, including hip dysplasia, especially in the golden retrievers.

In 2016, a UC Davis produced study of German Shepherds reveals that in males and females, neutering or spaying within the first year of life is associated with a highly significant, threefold risk of acquiring at least one joint disorder,(i.e., hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear, and elbow dysplasia).¹⁰⁸

The “gold standard” remedy for hip dysplasia is total hip replacement (THR). THR is a surgical procedure that involves the replacement of the diseased cartilage and bone of the hip joint. These are then replaced with a prosthesis or “artificial joint”. Generally, this procedure is only performed by a board certified surgeon in a specialty veterinary hospital. Dogs that have a total hip replacement can live a pain-free life that allows them to function with near normal range of motion, which is an extraordinary gift to them. This gift, however, comes at a significant cost to the dog’s guardian. Please see our “Costs” page for specific information.

There are other surgical options which are possible if hip dysplasia is diagnosed at an early age and prior to arthritic and muscular changes. These procedures all rely to some extent upon additional pain management.