Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
By: Brigitte Rhinehart
Canine Hip Dysplasia is the irregular formation of the coxofemoral joint. This is the
joint that joins the femur, the longest bone in the body, to the hip socket.
The hip is a ball and socket joint, and the ball (femoral head) must fit well
into the socket (cup) for the joint to function properly. The main contributors
to the development of CHD are joint laxity and the depth of the acetabulum
(cup). Early signs of CHD include: - Reluctance to go up and down stairs or to
jump - Difficulty rising or laying down - Bunny hopping when running, i.e. both
hind limbs move together. Diagnosis is made through radiographic findings,
either by the method advocated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
or by that of the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP)
which measures joint laxity. While CHD is among the principal orthopedic
diseases in the GSMD, fortunately for Swissys, it manifests itself rarely in a
severe and crippling form. Indeed, unless x-rays are taken, many Swissy owners
are not even aware that they have a dysplastic dog. Quite often, mildly and
even moderately affected Swissys do not show any or only very subtle clinical
signs of the disease. While treatment options for severely dysplastic dogs are
available, we will not discuss them here as they are so rarely applicable to
Swissys. Prior to breeding, Swissys should be screened for CHD and evaluated by
an established registry such as OFA or PennHIP. It is preferable to use only
CHD free animals.
By: Brigitte Rhinehart
Canine Hip Dysplasia is the irregular formation of the coxofemoral joint. This is the
joint that joins the femur, the longest bone in the body, to the hip socket.
The hip is a ball and socket joint, and the ball (femoral head) must fit well
into the socket (cup) for the joint to function properly. The main contributors
to the development of CHD are joint laxity and the depth of the acetabulum
(cup). Early signs of CHD include: - Reluctance to go up and down stairs or to
jump - Difficulty rising or laying down - Bunny hopping when running, i.e. both
hind limbs move together. Diagnosis is made through radiographic findings,
either by the method advocated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
or by that of the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP)
which measures joint laxity. While CHD is among the principal orthopedic
diseases in the GSMD, fortunately for Swissys, it manifests itself rarely in a
severe and crippling form. Indeed, unless x-rays are taken, many Swissy owners
are not even aware that they have a dysplastic dog. Quite often, mildly and
even moderately affected Swissys do not show any or only very subtle clinical
signs of the disease. While treatment options for severely dysplastic dogs are
available, we will not discuss them here as they are so rarely applicable to
Swissys. Prior to breeding, Swissys should be screened for CHD and evaluated by
an established registry such as OFA or PennHIP. It is preferable to use only
CHD free animals.
