
There is an acute and a severe form of CHD. An affected dog may have one or any combination of the following clinical signs:
Severe (Acute) Form
- Presentation at five to 12 months of age,
- Overt pain, lameness, and functional deficits (low exercise tolerance, reluctance to climb stairs),
- Other signs: audible "click" when walking, increased intertrochanteric width ("points of hips" are wider than normal), thigh muscle atrophy.
Mild (Chronic) Form
- Clinical signs ranging from none to mild,
- Mild discomfort and stiffness in geriatric years,
- Possible pain and crepitus on range of motion.
Clinical signs by themselves do not necessarily mean that a dog has hip dysplasia, other conditions of the hip or knee can mimic CHD. A radiograph is essential for a more accurate assessment of a dog's hip joint integrity.