Phenotypic hip and elbow dysplasia trends in Rottweilers and Labrador retrievers in South Africa (2007-2015): Are we making progress?

Prevalence of canine hip dysplasia in 10 breeds in France, a retrospective study of the 1997-2017 radiographic screening period

Canine hip dysplasia (HD) is a complex developmental disease of the coxo-femoral joint and is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. Due to the genetic contribution, most of the programs fighting against HD recommend selective breeding that excludes affected dogs. Using the best-scoring dogs for breeding may reduce the prevalence of HD. In France, the phenotypic screening of coxo-femoral joint conformation remains a strategy for breeders to establish selection decisions. The HD prevalence was evaluated in 10 breeds, based on the assessment of 27,710 dogs, during the 1997-2017 screening period, which was divided into 3 homogeneous cohorts for analysis. The global HD prevalence varied widely among breeds from 5% (Siberian Husky) to 51.9% (Cane Corso). It decreased over time in 6 breeds, among which 4 (Cane Corso, Gordon Setter, Rottweiler and White Swiss Shepherd) showed a significant decrease. A statistically significant increase in HD prevalence was noted for the Siberian Husky. Although the efficacy of phenotype-based breeding programs remains controversial, our results are in accordance with several recent studies showing that long-term selection policies are valuable, as they may help decreasing the HD prevalence in some breeds. The complementary use of more recent tools such as estimated breeding values and genomics would probably help breeders achieve more substantive results.

Evaluation of plasma trace elements and oxidant/antioxidant status in Boerboel dogs with hip dysplasia

Changes in plasma concentrations of trace elements and oxidants/antioxidants were evaluated in twenty healthy Boerboels of both sexes and median age of 2 years. Antero-posterior and flexed lateral radiographs of the hip were obtained using digital x-ray machine and hip grading was done according to Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) system. Blood was collected from the cephalic vein for determination of plasma concentrations of manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Vitamin E. Correlation between the parameters was done using Pearson’s correlation. Eleven (11/20) of the Boerboel dogs had hip dysplasia (HD), comprising five (5/9) males and six (6/11) females. Plasma Mn, Cu and Co were insignificantly higher in Boerboels with normal hips than those with HD. MDA concentration was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Boerboels with normal hips (0.75 ± 0.84 µmol/L) than in dogs with HD (1.77 ± 0.78 µmol/L), while SOD was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Boerboels with normal hips (0.65 ± 0.22 U/ml) than with HD (0.32 ± 0.16 U/ml). It was concluded that there were differences in plasma oxidants/antioxidants between Boerboel dogs with normal hips and those with hip dysplasia suggesting their role in the pathogenesis of canine hip dysplasia

Prevalence of Canine Hip Dysplasia in Switzerland Between 1995 and 2016-A Retrospective Study in 5 Common Large Breeds

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a genetic disease, modulated by epigenetic and environmental factors. To decrease the prevalence of CHD, the hip joints of many pure breed dogs are radiographed to identify dysplastic dogs not qualified for breeding. It has been shown that both, prevalence and severity of CHD may be reduced on the basis of phenotypic i.e., radiographic selection of breeding animals. The method has been used in many countries for over 50 years. In the present study, severity and prevalence of CHD in five common large breeds in Switzerland were evaluated since 1995. Both, prevalence and severity of CHD dropped in each breed between the periods 1995-1999 and 2010-2016. The prevalence decreased in Golden Retrievers from 25 to 9% and in Labrador Retrievers from 16 to 3%, respectively. In the Flat-Coated Retriever, prevalence in general was low, decreasing from 6 to 3%. In the Bernese mountain dog and the German shepherd dog, a decrease from 21 to 12% and from 46 to 18%, respectively, was observed. However, the rather low overall rate of radiographed dogs (Retrievers: 11 to 18%, Bernese Mountain dogs: 23% and German Shepherd dogs: 31%) does not allow to draw reliable conclusions regarding the true prevalence of CHD for the entire population of these breeds in Switzerland.