Basenji Health Information - Hip Dysplasia

Description

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket is badly formed, often leading to lameness and arthritis. It is believed to be polygenic, with multiple genes involved in its expression.

Approximately 3 - 3.5% of Basenji x-rays submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) are dysplastic. The actual rate of hip dysplasia may well be higher, as the veterinarian and owner may not submit dysplastic results.

Testing

Breeding stock should be x-rayed for hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has a web site that permits downloads and searches of dogs that have passed with a grade of Fair, Good, or Excellent. In addition, the OFA has recently added the option of having results placed in an open health registry, so that Borderline and Dysplastic ratings can be made public.

Good and Excellent are the preferred grades for breeding stock, although Fair is not considered dysplastic.

Dogs can be OFA-screened for hip dysplasia at 2 years of age or older. Screening tests, studying and considering the hip scores of progeny, and breeding from tested stock are the recommended methods of controlling hip dysplasia.

OFA status at 24 months of age is generally considered definitive of that dog's hip status. However, there is a small chance a dog can go dysplastic later in life.