Canine Hip Dysplasia

What is canine hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint in which the head of the thighbone (femur) does not fit properly into its pelvic joint socket (acetabulum). This condition, while not present at birth, develops during the first two years of the dog's life. It is often progressive, causing inflammation, pain, and arthritis of the affected hip. It is aggravated by strenuous exercise and, sitting up, lying down, or climbing stairs.

This disorder afflicts dogs of both sexes, and may be present in one or both hips. The condition may range from mild to severe, and clinical signs may become more evident in dogs under one year of age. It is regarded with utmost concern in our breed because the dysplastic Siberian Husky cannot do the work for which it was bred, nor can it exhibit the freedom and effortlessness of movement so highly prized in the show ring and on the sled.

What is the cause of hip dysplasia?

Canine hip dysplasia is an inheritable disease. Its mode of inheritance is termed "polygenic," meaning that it is due to a combination of multiple genes. Because of the polygenic nature of this disorder, some normal dogs produce a percentage of dysplastic offspring. The breeding pair, although physically normal, may each transmit some of the dysplastic genes to their offspring, thus the offspring may receive a combination of complementary genes from both parents which may cause hip dysplasia. The division of defective genes is very uneven, with one parent contributing more defective genes than the other. Environmental factors such as a high caloric diet during the rapid growth phase of a puppy can exacerbate the changes in dysplastic hips, but cannot create a dysplastic dog.