Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common developmental disease of the hip. As a puppy grows the soft tissue support for the hip may become loose (lax) and this can allow the head of the femur to slip in and out of the acetabulum. This abnormal laxity of the hip can damage the tissues of the joint leading to osteoarthritis.
Hip dysplasia occurs most commonly in medium-large breed dogs of any breed. Some breeds are commonly affected whereas others are rarely affected (e.g. Greyhound).
The cause of hip dysplasia is not fully understood. Certainly there is a complex genetic basis and it is likely that several different genes are involved. It is also likely that environmental factors (exercise, growth rate, nutrition) play a role and obesity will worsen the condition.
Hip dysplasia can cause pain and lameness although in some dogs the disease may remain clinically silent for many months or years. Often in puppies there is a swaying hind limb gait and some dogs may sit down at exercise because of the discomfort. Usually the condition occurs in both hips and so signs may relate to joint stiffness in both hind limbs. Later in life, the osteoarthritis initiated by hip dysplasia may progress to cause pain, stiffness and lameness.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a group of four slightly different diseases associated with abnormal development of this joint in puppies:
- Fragmented medial coronoid process
- OCD of the medial humeral condyle
- Ununited anconeal process
- Incongruity of the elbow joint
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The most common form is fragmented medial coronoid process and this involves a small fragment of cartilage and bone loose within the joint that causes inflammation (arthritis). Typically, the diseases causes lameness and pain in dogs aged 5-18 months. Certain breeds are particularly at risk for these disorders:
- Fragmented coronoid process: Many medium to large breed pedigree dogs, but especially Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bullmastiffs.
- OCD: Many medium to large breed pedigree dogs, but especially Labradors, Golden Retrievers.
- Ununited anconeal process: German Shepherd Dog, Bassett Hound.
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The cause of elbow dysplasia is not fully understood. There is a complex genetic basis and it is likely that several different genes are involved. It is also likely that environmental factors (exercise, growth rate, nutrition) play a role.
All types of elbow dysplasia can cause pain and lameness although in some dogs the disease may remain clinically silent for many months or years. Lameness may appear suddenly or intermittently. Often the condition occurs in both elbows and so signs may relate to joint stiffness in both forelimbs. Later in life, the osteoarthritis initiated by elbow dysplasia may progress to cause pain, stiffness and lameness.
