Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) remains a prevalent concern among dog owners and veterinarians, characterized by joint laxity and incongruent joint conformation. Detecting CHD early is challenging, leading to economic losses and impaired performance, especially in competitive dogs. Radiography plays a crucial role in CHD screening, evaluating parameters like femoral head area (FHA), femoral coverage by the acetabulum (CFH), and cranio-caudal distance of the dorsal acetabular rim (CrCdAR). This study aimed to explore the relationship between these parameters and CHD status in three high-risk breeds: German wirehaired pointers (GWP), German shepherd dogs (GSD), and Labrador retrievers (LAB).

Methods: A total of 264 skeletally mature dogs underwent hip dysplasia screening using radiographs. FHA, CFH, and CrCdAR were measured and related to Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) dysplasia scores. Statistical analysis included breed, sex, and FCI score as factors.

Results: Significant breed, sex, and FCI score interactions were observed for FHA, CFH, and CrCdAR. FHA tended to decrease with worsening FCI scores, but no significant relationship with dysplasia assessment was found. Breed-specific differences were noted, with GWP and GSD exhibiting larger FHA compared to LAB. CFH showed significant relationships with breed, sex, and FCI scores, aiding in distinguishing dysplastic from non-dysplastic hips. CrCdAR length varied across breeds and sexes but did not reliably predict CHD severity. Strong positive correlations were found between FHA and CrCdAR length, suggesting proportional bony components in hip joints.

FHA and CFH are breed-specific parameters influenced by sex, with males generally having larger values. While FHA correlates with acetabular size, it does not consistently differentiate between dysplastic and non-dysplastic hips. CFH emerges as a valuable indicator for CHD assessment, especially in LAB. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore additional parameters for CHD screening and breeding selection strategies.

Read study here: The Role of Femoral Head Size and Femoral Head Coverage in Dogs with and without Hip Dysplasia