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My dog broke her hip. What's the best way to help her recover?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Labrador | Female | unspayed | 5 years and 7 months old | 90 lbs

Is hip dysplasia and hip joint fracture different ? My lab had hip joint fracture and is on medication sadly. As an additional relief, I am putting hot water bag over her hip, is that ok ? Will the fracture be cured ? Please let me know :(

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on October 8th, 2017

Hip dysplasia means that the dog has poor hip conformation, with the ball of the femur not tight into the hip joint. Due to the joint looseness arthritis usually develops as the dogs age. A hip joint fracture sounds more like it was from a specific injury. With rest a hip fracture should heal over six weeks but if the hip joint is involved then Jenny may get hip arthritis and pain in her hip. Heat will relax her muscles and increase the blood supply to heal the fracture so it is a good thing to do. Please keep her in a small area and take her out only to the bathroom for a month. That will give her the best chance of healing the fracture. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Jenny.

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on October 7th, 2017

    Hip fractures can heal, but they will take time, pain medications, and strict confinement to reduce all extra motion in the bones. Depending of the type of fracture, sometimes surgery is needed for healing. I am not familiar with those medications, but if you think that Jenny is still painful, I would talk to your vet about other pain medication options or therapies, such as veterinary acupuncture.

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