Dog pelvis seems tilted

by David
(Red Deer, Alberta, Canada)

Today I noticed that our dog's pelvis seems tilted from left to right - when standing evenly on all four legs one hip bone is higher than the other. She is in no pain, does not limp, climbs stairs and plays with other dogs with no noticeable ill effects.

She is a very active dog and is walked in an off-leash dog park for one hour every day where she is active with other dogs.

My concern is that she has a misaligned spinal column affecting her pelvis. If this is probable it may possibly have been caused by rough play with other 70 lb. plus dogs on icy paths. We have never heard her cry out in play so we can't look to a specific incident causing an injury.

Tess is a two year old female standard poodle of approximately 70 lbs. She has visited a local vet several times since she was a puppy for vaccinations and check ups. She has never had an illness or injury. She is not spayed and has not been bred or produced a litter.

I think it very unlikely that she has always been this way as I would have noticed and surely the vet would have noticed.

Should I consider chiropractic treatment? Do you have any other thoughts about this?

Comments for
Dog pelvis seems tilted

Click here to add your own comments

My Online Vet Response for Dog Pelvis seems Tilted
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi David,
In this case a picture is worth a thousand words!

If her spine were that mis-aligned that you noticed that one hip was higher than the other, I would expect her to show quite a bit of pain or at least some change in her gait or mannerisms.

On the other hand, if she is that active and playing rough with other big dogs, she may have a seroma. This is a collection of serum under the skin caused by trauma such as a blunt blow to the area or even from an injection such as a vaccination and which can appear as a painless swelling. And if it is over one hip, then that hip would look higher than the other one.

Other swellings such as a tumor would have been more slow to appear, and I would not expect a tumor in a two year old.

Also, an insect bite or sting would create a swelling but would be sensitive to the touch. I doubt you have very many insects out and about in Canada at this time of year!

Certainly a visit to a holistic veterinarian, especially one that does dog chiropractic treatments, would be in order.

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

- Dog Skin Conditions,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,
- Canine Tumors (Dog Cancer),
- Dog Warts,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Canine Tumors/Dog Cancer Section,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Developmental Problems Section,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask a Vet Online via My Online Vet (SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED FOR NEW QUESTIONS)

Want to ask our veterinarians a question but haven't subscribed to My Online Vet? Click here to learn how or click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.

Want monthly "News You Can Use" and important Organic Pet Digest new content updates? Click here to sign up for our FREE Dog Care Monthly newsletter.

Was this page helpful? If so, please tell your friends about it with a Facebook like or via Twitter, Pinterest, email or good old fashioned word of mouth. Thank you for supporting our efforts!

For additional research, search for your topic...

Also see...

OPD's Site Map of Dog Care Topics

Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

In the spirit of full disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words, when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep the site up and running and to continue offering it completely free of charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or affiliate relationship. Click here for more info.