Canine Hip Dysplasia
George Lust and Rory Todhunter

Dogs with hip dysplasia, a hereditary malformation, develop osteoarthritis in the hip and often also in the shoulder and vertebral joints. Currently radiographic (x-ray) examination is the main diagnostic means available to identify either disease-free or affected dogs.

In this exploration students learn about the anatomy and physiology of mammalian joints. They will be given a series of x-ray pictures and learn how to determine whether a dog is normal or dysplastic. Newer methods, namely dorsolateral subluxation of the femoral head, and hip joint distraction laxity will be compared with a standard method of diagnosis. Description and design of a special pedigree suitable for genetic evaluations will be included as will introduction to recent studies aimed at discovering a molecular genetic marker and genes for this orthopedic disease of dogs.