Investigations of Hip Dysplasia in the Military Working Dog

While many aspects of hip dysplasia have been studied and described, the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease have remained undefined. The only common denominator which has come out of these studies appears to be that joint laxity precedes and results in the wide variety of acetabular and femoral changes that are observed. Thus, studies of factors which contribute to joint laxity offer promise of determining the etiology of the disease. In 1968, a palpation technique was developed to judge joint laxity in puppies. It was noted that abduction was restricted in potential hip dysplastic puppies and it appeared that the pectineus muscle was responsible for the restricted abduction. There was a suggestion of a muscle abnormality possible being associated with hip dysplasia. The objectives of the research presented are to investigate the nature of the pectineal myopathy and inquire into its possible role as en etiological factor in the pathogenesis of canine hip dysplasia.