Correlation between canine hip dysplasia and pelvic muscle mass: a study of 95 dogs

Abstract

Ninety-five dogs from 3 breeds were studied as a single population, and the results were compared with the results when the same dogs were allotted to 6 highly selected groups by breed and degree of hip dysplasia. Statistical analysis indicated that the soundness of the hip joints was closely correlated with the index of pelvic muscle mass; i.e., the greater the pelvic muscle mass index, the lower the incidence of hip dysplasia and, conversely, the lower the pelvic muscle mass index, the higher the incidence of hip dysplasia. The occurrence of hip dysplasia could be predicted with cut-off points on the "pelvic muscle mass index scale." This allowed for determining the probability of occurrence of hip dysplasia and the degree of involvement that may be expected. The influence of exercise and disuse muscle atrophy on pelvic muscle mass were also considered, and neither had a significant effect on pelvic muscle mass index or the occurrence of hip dysplasia.