EARLY DETECTION OF CANINE HIP-DYSPLASIA - COMPARISON OF 2 PALPATION AND 5 RADIOGRAPHIC METHODS

Hip joint laxity was evaluated in four breeds (i,e., greyhound, Labrad or retriever, Irish setter, hound mixed-breed) of puppies (n=32) by Or tolani's and Bardens' maneuvers, by subjective assessment of radiograp hs (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals [OFA] method), and by four radio graphic measurement indices. Puppies were studied at four, six-to-10, 16-to-18, and 52 weeks of age. The purpose of this study was to compar e palpation and radiographic methods of hip laxity detection in puppie s for predicting the development of degenerative joint disease (DJD) b y one year of age, Twenty-seven (42%) hips developed DJD. Ortolani's m ethod was not a reliable predictor of hip dysplasia at six-to-10 weeks ; it was significantly predictive at 16-to-18 weeks but had a high inc idence of false negatives. Bardens' and subjective (OFA) assessment me thods were not reliable at six-to-10 or 16-to-18 weeks. Radiographic m easurements taken with femurs in a neutral position and hips distracte d (distraction index [DI] and Norberg angle) and measurements taken wi th femurs extended in OFA position (Norberg angle) of six- to 10-week- old puppies accurately predicted DJD occurrence by one year of age (p less than 0.01), Distraction index measurement (PennHIP method) was th e most accurate in predicting the development of DJD (p less than 0.00 1). Distraction index radiography in puppies six-to-10 and 16-to-18 we eks of age was the most reliable predictor of hip dysplasia. Norberg a ngle measurement was more reliable during hip distraction than when hi ps were measured in the OFA position in 16- to 18-week-old puppies, bu t had similar reliability in six- to 10-week-old puppies.