Some Clinical Features of Osteoarthritis of the Hip Joint in Adult Dogs in Kenya

Abstract

Clinical examination of forty German shepherd dogs with hindlimb lameness was conducted. The severity of lameness was classified as normal conformation, mild lameness or severe lameness attributable to the hindlimb and assigned numerical scores 1, 2 or 3 respectively. Thirty three percent (33 %) were clinically normal, 19 % had mild lameness while 48 % had severe and debilitating lameness. These observations were verified by radiographic examination of affected hip joints. Five dogs were severely affected with hindlimb lameness also had decubital wounds on the dorsal aspect of the paws of the hindlimb. Although some animals were clinically normal, ventrodorsal pelvic radiographs revealed severe osteoarthritis. Clinical and radiographic examination of adult dogs is useful in diagnosis of orthopaedic disease. This improves diagnostic accuracy and assists in determining the prognosis for appropriate medical or surgical therapy and advice on control breeding of affected dogs.