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Simple Summary: Canine hip dysplasia is a painful condition common in large dog breeds, leading to joint instability and osteoarthritis. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for guiding breeding decisions to help reduce its prevalence. However, evaluating hip health status can be challenging, as minor positioning changes during X-rays can distort images and hinder proper hip joint assessment. In this study, we developed an artificial intelligence tool for the automatic evaluation of pelvic alignment in X-rays. By detecting subtle asymmetries in bone structure, the tool determines whether a dog's hips are properly aligned. Our findings showed that the artificial intelligence tool performed as accurately as an expert human examiner in detecting misalignment. This automated approach could improve the reliability of canine hip dysplasia screenings, saving veterinarians time and reducing misdiagnosis risks due to human error. Ultimately, this technology has the potential to enhance medical care for dogs and support breeders in making more informed choices, contributing to canine health improvements and reducing canine hip dysplasia incidence in future generations. Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) screening relies on accurate positioning in the ventrodorsal hip extended (VDHE) view, as even mild pelvic rotation can affect CHD scoring and impact breeding decisions. This study aimed to assess the association between pelvic rotation and asymmetry in obturator foramina areas (AOFAs) and to develop a computer vision model for automated AOFA measurement. In the first part, 203 radiographs were analyzed to examine the relationship between pelvic rotation, assessed through asymmetry in iliac wing and obturator foramina widths (AOFWs), and AOFAs. A significant association was found between pelvic rotation and AOFA, with AOFW showing a stronger correlation (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.01). AOFW rotation values were categorized into minimal (n = 71), moderate (n = 41), marked (n = 37), and extreme (n = 54) groups, corresponding to mean AOFA ± standard deviation values of 33.28 ± 27.25, 54.73 ± 27.98, 85.85 ± 41.31, and 160.68 ± 64.20 mm2, respectively. ANOVA and post hoc testing confirmed significant differences in AOFA across these groups (p < 0.01). In part two, the dataset was expanded to 312 images to develop the automated AOFA model, with 80% allocated for training, 10% for validation, and 10% for testing. On the 32 test images, the model achieved high segmentation accuracy (Dice score = 0.96; Intersection over Union = 0.93), closely aligning with examiner measurements. Paired t-tests indicated no significant differences between the examiner and model's outputs (p > 0.05), though the Bland–Altman analysis identified occasional discrepancies. The model demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.99) with a standard error of 17.18 mm2. A threshold of 50.46 mm2 enabled effective differentiation between acceptable and excessive pelvic rotation. With additional training data, further improvements in precision are expected, enhancing the model's clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) screening relies on accurate positioning in the ventrodorsal hip extended (VDHE) view, as even mild pelvic rotation can affect CHD scoring and impact breeding decisions. This study aimed to assess the association between pelvic rotation and asymmetry in obturator foramina areas (AOFAs) and to develop a computer vision model for automated AOFA measurement. In the first part, 203 radiographs were analyzed to examine the relationship between pelvic rotation, assessed through asymmetry in iliac wing and obturator foramina widths (AOFWs), and AOFAs. A significant association was found between pelvic rotation and AOFA, with AOFW showing a stronger correlation (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.01). AOFW rotation values were categorized into minimal (n = 71), moderate (n = 41), marked (n = 37), and extreme (n = 54) groups, corresponding to mean AOFA ± standard deviation values of 33.28 ± 27.25, 54.73 ± 27.98, 85.85 ± 41.31, and 160.68 ± 64.20 mm2, respectively. ANOVA and post hoc testing confirmed significant differences in AOFA across these groups (p < 0.01). In part two, the dataset was expanded to 312 images to develop the automated AOFA model, with 80% allocated for training, 10% for validation, and 10% for testing. On the 32 test images, the model achieved high segmentation accuracy (Dice score = 0.96; Intersection over Union = 0.93), closely aligning with examiner measurements. Paired t-tests indicated no significant differences between the examiner and model’s outputs (p > 0.05), though the Bland–Altman analysis identified occasional discrepancies. The model demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.99) with a standard error of 17.18 mm2. A threshold of 50.46 mm2 enabled effective differentiation between acceptable and excessive pelvic rotation. With additional training data, further improvements in precision are expected, enhancing the model’s clinical utility.

Abstract Background Canine hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic disease in veterinary practice. The diagnosis is made by radiographic examinations that evaluate bone alterations associated with hip dysplasia. Although radiographic examination is the gold standard for diagnosis, it does not allow a detailed evaluation of soft tissues such as the joint capsule and periarticular muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of B-mode ultrasonography and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in assessing the joint capsule and periarticular muscles of dogs using the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA) classification and the distraction index (DI) in the early and late diagnosis of hip dysplasia. This study sought to propose a protocol for the ultrasonographic evaluation of the structures involved in canine hip dysplasia. Methods Radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on 108 hip joints of 54 dogs. Thirty dogs were older than 2 years and 24 were aged between 4 and 10 months. Results It was verified that an increase in pectineus muscle stiffness (cutoff value > 2.77 m/s) by elastography in some dysplastic dogs and an increase in the thickness of the joint capsule (cutoff value > 0.9 mm) in B-mode ultrasonography, were associated with a distraction index > 0.5, with both having a positive correlation. In B-mode ultrasonographic evaluation, the presence of signs of degenerative joint disease, such as irregularities of the cranial edge of the acetabulum and femoral head, were associated with a distraction index > 0.5 in canines, with a specificity of 94%. In adult dogs, the findings of degenerative joint disease on ultrasound were associated with a diseased OFA classification (P 1.10 mm was diagnostic for dysplasia in unhealthy dogs by OFA. Conclusions ARFI elastography has shown that the pectineus muscle may experience changes in stiffness in dysplastic animals. Additionally, changes in joint capsule thickness can be identified in B-mode in young and adult dogs with dysplastic joints, which contributes to the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) among dog population during a period of one year from January 2021 to December 2021. Canine hip dysplasia was confirmed by clinical orthopedic and radiographic examinations. Of the 231 dogs presented with lameness suspected to be originating from hip joint, 140 animals had dysplastic hips. The incidence was more in large breeds of dogs in an age group of 6 months to 12 months. Thirty five percent of the animals showed unilateral affection while in the remaining 65 percent it was bilateral. Females were more affected with this condition as per the findings of this study. Other than hip dysplasia, traumatic hip dislocation and osteoarthritis contributed to lameness originating from hip joints.

OBJECTIVE Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a global disease and an improved diagnostic approach to this orthopedic condition is needed, with an emphasis on inexpensive and minimally invasive techniques. This research aimed to determine the differentiating potential of selected biochemical markers in serum between healthy dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia in a breed-specific study that involved the Tornjak dog population. ANIMALS 99 Tornjak dogs radiographically categorized (Federation Cynologique Internationale procedure and scoring scheme) between December 2019 and April 2021, as having no sign of hip dysplasia or near normal hip joints (nondysplastic group; n = 51) vs mild, moderate, or severe hip dysplasia (dysplastic group; 48). METHODS Serum concentrations and enzyme activity of the biochemical markers hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen II C-terminal propeptide (PIICP), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were compared among adult dogs with or without radiographic hip dysplasia. Statistical tests used to examine the differentiating potential of biochemical markers in Tornjak dog groups were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test, logistic regression, and receiving operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. RESULTS Tornjak dogs with radiographic CHD had significantly lower serum concentrations of HA and higher concentrations of PIICP and MMP9 activity compared to dogs with radiographically normal hips (P < .05). Selected biochemical markers could distinguish dogs with radiographic CHD from those without CHD with high sensitivity and specificity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These data suggest that the diagnostic technique of measuring serum concentrations of HA, PIICP, and MMP9 activity has a selective ability to distinguish dogs with dysplastic from dogs with normal hips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Canine hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic disease in veterinary practice. The diagnosis is made by radiographic examinations that evaluate bone alterations associated with hip dysplasia. Although radiographic examination is the gold standard for diagnosis, it does not allow a detailed evaluation of soft tissues such as the joint capsule and periarticular muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of B-mode ultrasonography and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in assessing the joint capsule and periarticular muscles of dogs using the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA) classification and the distraction index (DI) in the early and late diagnosis of hip dysplasia. This study sought to propose a protocol for the ultrasonographic evaluation of the structures involved in canine hip dysplasia. Methods: Radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on 108 hip joints of 54 dogs. Thirty dogs were older than 2 years and 24 were aged between 4 and 10 months. Results: It was verified that an increase in pectineus muscle stiffness (cutoff value > 2.77 m/s) by elastography in some dysplastic dogs and an increase in the thickness of the joint capsule (cutoff value > 0.9 mm) in B-mode ultrasonography, were associated with a distraction index > 0.5, with both having a positive correlation. In B-mode ultrasonographic evaluation, the presence of signs of degenerative joint disease, such as irregularities of the cranial edge of the acetabulum and femoral head, were associated with a distraction index > 0.5 in canines, with a specificity of 94%. In adult dogs, the findings of degenerative joint disease on ultrasound were associated with a diseased OFA classification (P < 0.05). Measurement of the joint capsule > 1.10 mm was diagnostic for dysplasia in unhealthy dogs by OFA. Conclusions: ARFI elastography has shown that the pectineus muscle may experience changes in stiffness in dysplastic animals. Additionally, changes in joint capsule thickness can be identified in B-mode in young and adult dogs with dysplastic joints, which contributes to the diagnosis of hip dysplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a progressive and disabling disorder in large dog breeds, such as the German Shepherd dog. Breeding sires and dams free of dysplasia is the only way to reduce its incidence. Several diagnostic methods have been developed based on radiographic examination, on the basis of which dogs are selected for breeding. CHD has a polygenic hereditary basis and environmental influence, with a median to low heritability (ca. 0,20 to 0,40), so the progress in phenotypic selection has been slow. In Argentina, the prevalence of dysplasia in German Shepherd dogs remains high (> 25%) and it is impossible to predict its incidence in the offspring of the breeding stock. Some countries have implemented a selection based on the estimated breeding value, obtaining an important advance. Genome-wide association studies have revealed numerous CHD-associated markers and several candidate genes have been found that point to the possibility of implementing genomic selection in the near future.

Simple Summary: Canine hip dysplasia development results in femoral neck modeling and an increase in thickness. The main objective of this work was to describe a femoral neck thickness index to quantify femoral neck width and to study its association with the degree of canine hip dysplasia using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale scoring scheme. A total of 53 dogs (106 hips) were randomly selected for this study. Two examiners performed femoral neck thickness index estimation to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. Statistical analysis tests showed excellent agreement and reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and the examiners' sessions. All joints were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale criteria, and the results from examiner 1 were compared between these categories. The comparison of mean femoral neck thickness index between hip dysplasia categories using the analysis of variance test showed significant differences between groups. These results show that femoral neck thickness index is a parameter capable of evaluating proximal femur bone modeling and that it has the potential to enrich conventional canine hip dysplasia scoring criteria if incorporated into a computer-aided diagnosis software. The alteration in the shape of the femoral neck is an important radiographic sign for scoring canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Previous studies have reported that the femoral neck thickness (FNT) is greater in dogs with hip joint dysplasia, becoming progressively thicker with disease severity. The main objective of this work was to describe a femoral neck thickness index (FNTi) to quantify FNT and to study its association with the degree of CHD using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scheme. A total of 53 dogs (106 hips) were randomly selected for this study. Two examiners performed FNTi estimation to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. The paired t-test, the Bland-Altman plots, and the intraclass correlation coefficient showed excellent agreement and reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and the examiners' sessions. All joints were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to FCI criteria. The results from examiner 1 were compared between FCI categories. Hips that were assigned an FCI grade of A (n = 19), B (n = 23), C (n = 24), D (n = 24), and E (n = 16) had a mean ± standard deviation FNTi of 0.809 ± 0.024, 0.835 ± 0.044, 0.868 ± 0.022, 0.903 ± 0.033, and 0.923 ± 0.068, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Therefore, these results show that FNTi is a parameter capable of evaluating proximal femur bone modeling and that it has the potential to enrich conventional CHD scoring criteria if incorporated into a computer-aided diagnosis capable of detecting CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) among dog population during a period of one year from January 2021 to December 2021. Canine hip dysplasia was confirmed by clinical orthopedic and radiographic examinations. Of the 231 dogs presented with lameness suspected to be originating from hip joint, 140 animals had dysplastic hips. The incidence was more in large breeds of dogs in an age group of 6 months to 12 months. Thirty five percent of the animals showed unilateral affection while in the remaining 65 percent it was bilateral. Females were more affected with this condition as per the findings of this study. Other than hip dysplasia, traumatic hip dislocation and osteoarthritis contributed to lameness originating from hip joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Passive hip laxity (PHL) is considered the primary risk factor for canine hip dysplasia (HD) and is estimated, in stress hip radiographs, using the distraction index (DI). The study aimed to associate the early PHL using the hip Distractor of University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (DisUTAD) and the late HD grades. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 dogs (82 hips) were submitted to a follow-up study. First, between 4 and 12 months of age, dogs were radiographed using the DisUTAD hip distractor and were determined the DI for each hip joint. Then, after 12 months of age, dogs were reevaluated for HD using the conventional hip ventrodorsal projection and hips were evaluated for HD using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scoring system. Results: Hips of dogs' in the second examination with FCI grades of A (n=28), B (n=11), C (n=22), and D and E (n=21) had an early DI of 0.32±0.1, 0.38±0.08, 0.50±0.12, and 0.64±0.11, respectively. Statistical analysis using the general linear model univariate, with the DI as dependent variable and the FCI grades, side and sex as fixed factors, and the post hoc Bonferroni correction test showed significant differences among FCI grades (p

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a common orthopedic disease. Owing to the importance of CHD in affected dogs, both clinically and for their use in breeding or work, increasing attention is being given to early diagnosis. Therefore, early clinical and radiological examination of young animals is increasingly in demand, whereas common CHD screening according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is usually performed at the age of 12 months or even older in Europe. One way to objectively evaluate gait pattern is to measure the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and center of pressure (COP). In this study, we used a pressure plate to evaluate the GRF and COP parameters for 32 Labrador Retrievers and 17 Golden Retrievers at 4, 8, and 12 months of age. The dogs also underwent radiological examination of the hip joints following the FCI rules at the age of at least 12 months, which were grouped as sound (FCI grade A or B) and diseased (FCI grade C or worse). The results revealed significantly higher COP values in both breeds in the diseased limb groups at any measurement point during walking, with the most pronounced results obtained at 8 months of age. Furthermore, COP values during walking were significantly higher at 4 months than at 8 and 12 months in both the sound and diseased limb groups, indicating an increased stability of the gait pattern. Except for COP-Speed, the values of all COP parameters were higher during walking than during trotting at 4 months of age (i.e., COP-Speed was higher when trotting), indicating that the 4-beat gait in walk is more difficult to control for puppies than the 2-beat gait in trot. Overall, our results support the early evaluation of CHD in growing animals using non-invasive methods.

Simple Summary: Canine hip dysplasia is an important orthopedic disorder in veterinary medicine. In addition to body weight, fat intake, rapid growth, and hormonal changes, heredity is one of its underlying factors. Diagnosis of hip dysplasia under one year of age would help veterinarians to plan proper preventive/therapeutic methods and exclude dysplastic dogs from breeding programs to reduce the incidence of the disease in future generations. Therefore, having an accurate method for the early diagnosis of dysplastic dogs is an important subject, and a limited number of screening methods are used globally. Assessment of the accuracy of these methods can be examined with intra- and inter-observer studies. In this study, we aimed to assess the inter-observer agreements of the eight radiographic parameters from four different radiographic projections between five experienced observers (two of them certified scrutineers for canine hip dysplasia) to evaluate the reproducibility of the protocols. In our study, high inter-observer agreements were recorded for measurable values such as angle measurements, whereas the results of the subjective grading were low. Thus, it can be deduced that quantitative parameters are reliable values and a combination of these values with other screening programs such as clinical examinations might increase the accuracy of the examinations. Canine hip dysplasia is a complex and multifactorial disease. The early diagnosis of dysplastic dogs under one year of age helps veterinarians to plan proper preventive/therapeutic methods. Having an accurate screening method increases the chance of the early detection of dysplasia. The goal of our study was to assess the inter-observer reliability of eight radiographic parameters in four-month-old Rottweilers. Radiographs of the 28 Rottweilers were investigated by five experienced observers. The radiographs were taken in ventrodorsal view with extended legs, frog-leg ventrodorsal view, distraction view, and dorsal acetabular rim view. Four quantitative parameters such as Norberg angle (NA), distraction index (DI), dorsal acetabular rim slope (DARS), and center edge angle (CEA) and four qualitative parameters such as sclerosis of the cranial acetabular rim (SCAR), location of the center of the femoral head (LCFH), grading of the degenerative joint disease (GDJD), and grading of the dorsal acetabular rim (GDAR) were evaluated. High inter-observer agreements were recorded for quantitative values, whereas the inter-observer agreement of the qualitative parameters was low. It can be deduced that the evaluated quantitative parameters are reliable, and a combination of these methods with clinical examinations might increase the accuracy of the examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alteration in the shape of the femoral neck is an important radiographic sign for scoring canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Previous studies have reported that the femoral neck thickness (FNT) is greater in dogs with hip joint dysplasia, becoming progressively thicker with disease severity. The main objective of this work was to describe a femoral neck thickness index (FNTi) to quantify FNT and to study its association with the degree of CHD using the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scheme. A total of 53 dogs (106 hips) were randomly selected for this study. Two examiners performed FNTi estimation to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. The paired t-test, the Bland-Altman plots, and the intraclass correlation coefficient showed excellent agreement and reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and the examiners’ sessions. All joints were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to FCI criteria. The results from examiner 1 were compared between FCI categories. Hips that were assigned an FCI grade of A (n = 19), B (n = 23), C (n = 24), D (n = 24), and E (n = 16) had a mean ± standard deviation FNTi of 0.809 ± 0.024, 0.835 ± 0.044, 0.868 ± 0.022, 0.903 ± 0.033, and 0.923 ± 0.068, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Therefore, these results show that FNTi is a parameter capable of evaluating proximal femur bone modeling and that it has the potential to enrich conventional CHD scoring criteria if incorporated into a computer-aided diagnosis capable of detecting CHD.