Question of the Day

Perform a triple pelvic osteotomy to improve acetabular coverage of the femoral head in dogs with hip dysplasia without evidence of coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis, a.k.a. degenerative joint disease (DJD). This decreases the probability of future development of DJD due to joint laxity.

Hip dysplasia is a developmental Dz most common in young, large- and giant-breed dogs. Use the Ortolani sign to assess for hip joint laxity.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluation is a subjective scoring of hip dysplasia performed in dogs 24 mos of age or older.

In young dogs with hip dysplasia and evidence of DJD, Tx options include medical management, total hip replacement, or femoral head and neck excision.

Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis is only recommended in puppies at 14-20 wks without DJD. Radiographic findings and clinical signs often do not correlate.