ALASKAN MALAMUTE CLUB
 Victoria Inc.

Incorporations Registration No. A0016353X                                                                 Affiliated with the Victorian Canine Association

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Hip Dysplasia               Link to Hip Dysplasia Control Program 

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip Dysplasia is basically a deformity of the hip joint in which the head of the femur (ball section of the joint) fits poorly into the acetabulum (the socket).

Due to the poor fit of the joint, the ball moves in the socket in an abnormal manner leading to wear and tear on the surfaces of the joint and the development of arthritis. The ligament and capsule around the joint become slack and the muscles of the hindquarters waste away.

Hip dysplasia is a largely inherited condition seen mostly in the bigger breeds of dogs, such as the Alaskan Malamute, although environmental factors also play a part in the soundness of the hip joint. The mode of inheritance is polygenic, meaning that a number of genes interact to determine the final physical characteristics of the hip joint.


Ventro-dorsal x-ray of a dog with good hips

Signs of Hip Dysplasia
The signs of hip dysplasia may develop in a pup as young as 3 - 4 months in age, but may not become apparent until the dog is older. A dog with hip dysplasia may not show any obvious signs initially, however the hips can degenerate with age and the dog may eventually suffer severe pain and difficulty in moving the back legs. Hip dysplasia may be indicated when a dog shows discomfort after exercise, a tendency to "bunny hop" when running, an awkward, rolling movement rather than a smooth gait, difficulty in jumping or getting up from lying down and a reduced level of activity. Hip dysplasia can only be confirmed by hip x-ray when the dog is over 12 months of age.

Prevention
Hip Dysplasia has been diagnosed in more than 100 breeds of dog. Fortunately, studies have shown that the chances of progeny being hip dysplastic are significantly decreased when both parents have normal hips.

The degree of Hip Dysplasia is indicated by a scoring system for each hip, the lower the score, the better the hips.  Dogs with hip scores 0 - 7 on either hip are considered to have normal hips and are suitable for breeding, while those with hip scores of greater than 7 on either hip are considered hip dysplastic and are therefore not suitable for breeding.  Hip dysplasia can be progressively eliminated by only using dogs with normal hips (as determined by x-ray) for breeding programs.  Dogs with hip scores closer to 7 should only be bred with dogs with lower hip scores, e.g. 0 - 4.

It should be remembered that, although both parents may be free of hip dysplasia, there is no guarantee that the progeny will not be hip dysplastic, however the chances of having pups with hip dysplasia will be greatly reduced.

When looking at a litter ask the breeder to see the hip evaluation reports for the sire and dam. The report must include:

  • the kennel name of the dog which has been x-rayed

  • the kennel names of the dog’s parents and grandparents

  • a break down of how different aspects of the hip joint were scored

  • a final score for each hip based on the cumulative scores
    (0 = excellent, 53 = worse possible score).

  • the suitability of the dog for breeding based on the hip score obtained for the worst hip.

  • the signature of the veterinarian who read the hip x-ray.

Puppy buyers can help reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia in the Alaskan Malamute by refusing to buy pups from breeders who have not had both parents hip x-rayed, or where one or both parents have not passed for hip dysplasia. If the breeder cannot show puppy buyers the hip x-ray reports, buyers should go elsewhere for their pups.

Produced by The Alaskan Malamute Club, Victoria Inc.

Normal hip                             A mildly dysplastic hip

Moderately dysplastic hip                 A severely dysplastic hip

 

Hip dysplasia can range from mild to severe
(top right to bottom right)

The Alaskan Malamute Club, Victoria Inc. has in place a Hip Dysplasia Control Program in which Malamutes have an "A" suffix added to their registered pedigree name to indicate that they have a hip dysplasia pass (score 0 - 7 on each hip).

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Alaskan Malamute Club, Victoria Inc.
Postal address: PO Box 41, Hurstbridge VIC 3099
Phone: (03) 9714 8540       Email:  amcv@bigpond.com