What is hip dysplasia, and can my pet get coverage?

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder in which the ball and socket of the pet’s hip joint do not properly develop and they fit together loosely, causing pain and lameness. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions afflicting pets, and as such, it’s always important to know upfront if your pet insurance covers it.

What breeds get hip dysplasia?

Larger dog breeds may be predisposed to develop hip dysplasia. Some of the breeds most at risk of hip dysplasia are:

• German Shepherd
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Great Dane
• Saint Bernard
• Mastiff

Even so, it’s important to realize that smaller dogs and even cats can also be affected by hip dysplasia. For example, Pugs and Corgis are also closely associated with the condition. A clinical review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery meanwhile states that reported incidence of hip dysplasia in cats is around 5.8% for Domestic Shorthairs and may be above 20% for certain purebred cat breeds.

Pet insurance that covers hip dysplasia

Trupanion covers hip dysplasia and veterinary care costs associated with the condition at any age in a pet’s life. It’s worth noting that, while an increasing amount of pet insurance companies are covering hip dysplasia, many have age limitations or may impose payout limits on the amount of treatment needed.

See how Trupanion compares to other pet insurance companies.

If your pet has difficulty walking or seems to be in pain when moving or stretching their hind legs, it could be a sign of hip dysplasia. However, this could also be a sign of many other illnesses or injuries. Like most pet health insurance providers, Trupanion does not cover pre-existing conditions. So, it’s important to get your pet properly diagnosed by their veterinarian and have a complete picture of their health at time of enrollment.