Plasma amino acids in dogs with osteochondrosis or hip dysplasia

Radiography of the hip joints of mature dogs has shown that hip dysplasia is quite common in many middle and large size breeds in Norway. The heritability of hip dysplasia has been estimated in several studies to be between 0.2 and 0.6 (Hedhammar et al 1979). This indicates that environmental factors are important for development and severity of hip dysplasia.     

Delayed ossification of the femoral head in dogs with hip dysplasia

In humans, delayed ossification of the caput femoris is often seen associated with hip dysplasia in babies. This phenomenon may possibly exist in dogs. In this study, the radiographic appearance of the caput femoris of 13 German shepherd dogs was examined. The dogs underwent pelvic radiography at the age of 14 to 15 days, six weeks, and 12 months. A significant relationship was shown between hip dysplasia and the late appearance of the epiphysis of the caput femoris (P=0–02). At the age of 14 to 15 days it was not possible to see both epiphyses in 54 per cent of the dogs. All of these dogs had hip dysplasia when they were 12 months old. This was in contrast to the six dogs which had both epiphyses visible when they were 14 to 15 days old. At 12 months of age, four of these dogs (67 per cent) did not show any sign of hip dysplasia.     

Bacterial infective arthritis of the coxofemoral joint in dogs with hip dysplasia

The objective of this study was to describe seven cases of unilateral bacterial infective coxarthritis from a total of 19 cases of bacterial infective arthritis (BIA), presenting over a two year period. We recorded the history, clinical signs, diagnostic process, treatment and clinical outcome in these cases. The data were obtained from medical records, review of the radiographs, and telephone follow-up with the owners. All of the dogs in this study had severe chronic osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia, which caused periodic hind limb lameness. They were all admitted with severe acute hind-limb lameness. Pelvic radiographs were performed under general anaesthesia shortly after presentation, followed immediately by arthrocentesis of the affected joint. The synovial fluid was evaluated microscopically by direct smear and a sample was sent for culture and sensitivity. An attempt was not made to drain or lavage the affected joint during the course of treatment. The initial choice of antibiotics was empiric and subsequently modified, as required, based on the sensitivity results. Four of the dogs showed a rapid return to weight-bearing after the initiation of antibiotic treatment, and all of the patients returned to their pre-BIA level of function. Neither recurrent infections nor any adverse sequela requiring further intervention were reported by the owners on telephone follow-up.     

Prevalence and co-occurrence of hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia in Dutch pure-bred dogs

Hip as well as elbow dysplasia (HD, ED) are developmental disorders leading to malformation of their respective joints. For a long time both disorders have been scored and targeted for improvement using selective breeding in several Dutch dog populations. In this paper all scores for both HD and ED, given to pure bred dogs in the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010, were analyzed. Heritabilities and correlations between HD and ED were calculated for the 4 most frequently scored breeds. Heritabilities ranged from 0.0 to 0.37 for HD related traits (FCI-score, osteoarthritis, congruity, shape and laxity (Norberg angle); FCI: Fédération Cynologique Internationale) and from 0.0 to 0.39 for ED related traits (IEWG score, osteoarthritis, sclerosis and indentation; IEWG: International Elbow Working Group). HD related traits showed high genetic and residual correlations among each other but were only to a minor extent correlated with ED related traits, which also showed high correlations among each other. Genetic correlations were higher than residual correlations. Phenotypic and genetic trends since 2001 for the four most scored breeds were slightly positive but decreasing over time, indicating that selection over the past decade has not been effective.     

Comparison of arthroscopic and radiographic abnormalities in the hip joints of juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To compare radiographic and arthroscopic abnormalities in juvenile dogs with clinically apparent hip dysplasia. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 52 dogs (70 hip joints) with clinical signs of hip dysplasia scheduled to undergo triple pelvic osteotomy. PROCEDURE: A ventrodorsal radiographic projection of the pelvis was evaluated by a radiologist unaware of clinical and arthroscopic findings, and radiographic osteoarthritic abnormalities were judged and scored as absent (0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3). Arthroscopy was performed by a surgeon unaware of clinical and radiographic findings, and arthroscopic abnormalities were graded from 0 (normal) to 5 (exposed, eburnated subchondral bone). RESULTS: In 30 of the 70 (43%) hip joints, no radiographic osteoarthritic abnormalities were seen. Severe, full-thickness articular cartilage lesions (grade 4) of the femoral head or acetabulum were seen arthroscopically in 14 (20%) joints. Lesions > or = grade 2 were seen in 60 (86%) joints. Partial tearing of the ligament of the femoral head was present in 57 (81%) joints, and complete rupture was seen in 5 (7%). Radiographic abnormalities were seen in 13 of the 14 (93%; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 99.8%) joints with grade 4 arthroscopic abnormalities but in only 23 of the 46 (50%; 95% confidence interval, 35% to 65%) joints with grade 2 or 3 arthroscopic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that radiography is not a sensitive method for identifying moderate cartilage lesions in juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia. If moderate cartilage lesions are an important prognostic indicator for the success of triple pelvic osteotomy, then methods other than radiography should be used to detect these lesions.     

Additional kinematic variables to describe differences in the trot between clinically normal dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To describe the abnormal gait of dogs with hip dysplasia by use of kinematic gait analysis. ANIMALS: 19 large-breed dogs with moderate to severe clinical and radiographic evidence of hip dysplasia and 10 clinically normal dogs (controls). PROCEDURE: Kinematic and force plate data were collected, and degree of coxofemoral joint abduction-adduction, mediolateral foot movement, distance between hind feet, maximum hind foot elevation, mediolateral pelvic movement, and coxofemoral joint angular acceleration were calculated. Essential Fourier coefficients were determined and used to reconstruct mean angular acceleration curves. Fourier coefficients and foot and pelvic movement data were compared between groups. RESULTS: Dogs with hip dysplasia had a greater degree of coxofemoral joint adduction and range of abduction-adduction and greater lateral pelvic movement, compared with controls. Foot movement variables did not differ significantly between groups. Coxofemoral joint angular acceleration was greater in the middle to end of the stance phase, whereas deceleration was greater in the late stance to early swing phase and middle to end of the swing phase in dogs with hip dysplasia, compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Differences in degree of coxofemoral joint abduction-adduction, amount of mediolateral pelvic movement, and coxofemoral joint angular acceleration between clinically normal dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia may indicate a compensation in gait of affected dogs as a result of discomfort or biomechanical effects attributable to hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease. Information gained from kinematic and kinetic gait analyses may be useful in evaluating treatments for hip dysplasia in dogs.     

Radiographic evaluation of nonanesthetized and nonsedated dogs for hip dysplasia

The use of chemical or gas restraint was unnecessary in most large breed dogs being evaluated radiographically for hip dysplasia. Of 100 large-breed dogs, 97 were successfully radiographed for hip dysplasia evaluation without the use of sedation or anesthesia.     

Long-term outcome of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis and triple pelvic osteotomy in dogs with hip dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term outcomes of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) and triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) in dogs with hip dysplasia. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 18 dogs with hip dysplasia (ie, distraction index > or = 0.5 in at least 1 hip joint and no, mild, or moderate radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease [DJD]). PROCEDURES: Dogs between 4 and 5.5 months old at enrollment were assigned to undergo JPS, and dogs between 5 and 12 months old were assigned to undergo TPO. All dogs were reexamined at 2 years of age. RESULTS: At 2 years of age, there were no significant differences between groups in regard to lameness scores, angle of extension of the hip joints, distraction index, peak vertical force, acetabular angle, radiographic DJD score, or owner-assigned scores of clinical function. Dorsal acetabular rim angle was significantly higher in dogs that underwent JPS than in dogs that underwent TPO. For dogs that underwent TPO, dorsal acetabular rim angle was significantly decreased and acetabular angle was significantly increased at 2 years of age, compared with values obtained prior to surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that JPS and TPO have similar effects on hip joint conformation in dogs with moderate to severe hip dysplasia but that neither procedure eliminates the hip joint laxity characteristic of hip dysplasia or the progression of degenerative changes.     

Pelvic osteotomy for axial rotation of the acetabular segment in dogs with hip dysplasia.

Pelvic osteotomy has provided normal function and activity to dogs with hip dysplasia. Physical and radiographic examination and palpation under anesthesia permit evaluation of the degenerative process and provide the specific amount of axial rotation of the pelvis necessary for each dog. The technique consists of an osteotomy of the pubis, ischium, and ilium to reestablish acetabular support of the femoral head.