Ithaca, N.Y. — Canine hip dysplasia affects millions of dogs
each year. Abnormal development in the dysplastic hip causes
damage to the articular cartilage of the joint, resulting in
osteoarthritis, severe pain, lameness, and eventually
debilitation. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role
in the clinical signs and phenotypic expression. Rory Todhunter,
BVSC, PhD, DACVS, a professor of surgery at Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine, has spent more than 15 years
researching canine hip dysplasia. He spoke with DVM Newsmagazine
recently about the disease and the direction of his latest work.
DVM: Are certain dog breeds more prone to canine hip dysplasia?
What are some factors that contribute to the development of this
Todhunter: Hip dysplasia is a developmental malformation of the
hip joint of any breed of dog, but the ones we usually think of
as clinical problems are medium- to large-breed dogs. As
reported by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), the
incidence of the trait gets