Page 77 - The Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Worldwide Magazine

Based on the presence of OA and/or subluxation,
20% of the Corgis were considered dysplastic, ORTHOPEDIC
of which 90% had coxofemoral subluxation and
34% of them developed OA. Almost all dogs EXAMINATION
were diagnosed to have hip dysplasia based on
the presence of subluxation alone.
The physical examination should
demonstrate pain in the hip joint and that
The OFA ranks the Pembroke Welsh Corgi as the lameness is caused by hip problems.
one of the top 50 breeds in terms of hip dysplasia Passive movements of the hind legs that
prevalence. Joint laxity in the Corgi is an important would stretch the hip joint capsule will
risk factor for disease, though not by itself a cause a painful response from the patient
definitive sign of a degenerative process.
when inflammation is present. It is a result
of repeated tearing of the joint capsule when
Because of the large proportion of Corgis the femoral head subluxates during weight
manifesting this radiographic sign, it has bearing, inflammation and synovitis. Positive
empirically been deemed “normal” for the response is pain and discomfort manifested
breed. Although perhaps considered “normal” by vocalization or aggressive reaction.
for the breed, the CFHO (and hip dysplasia),
like chondrodysplasia itself, may be fixed within
the breed. Disproportionate dwarfism is an
accepted genetic trait in the Corgi and therefore
considered desirable. Hip dysplasia on the
other hand is distinctly undesirable as a genetic
trait within the breed. To reduce the frequency
of a multifactorial genetic disease such as hip Ortolani - abduction
dysplasia, appropriate selection pressure must
be applied to the breeding population.

Clinical Examination

Clinical signs are dependent upon the stage
(early vs. late) and severity of the disease,
patient weight, activity level and temperament.
When attributing a pelvic limb problem to CHD,
it is necessary not only to localize the problem
to the coxofemoral joint but to rule-out other Ortolani - abduction
potential causes of pelvic limb dysfunction
along the way. In the anesthetized dog it is possible to
evaluate the stability of the femoral head
Onset of the lameness may be characterized in the acetabulum, the amount of joint
as either acute or gradual and insidious or laxity and the features of head subluxation,
obvious. if present. Barlow and Ortolani tests are
used to evaluate femoral subluxation
Historical signs that would be consistent with and the angle of femoral reduction to
CHD may include: progressive limping, stiff a socket, and are considered abnormal
gait with short-strided steps, slowness to findings confirming hip joint laxity. When
rise or lay down, difficulty climbing stairs or the joint is stable and congruent, it is
jumping, a reluctance to exercise, work or play, possible to perform a full range of passive
less active than normal, lameness that they movements without perceiving any feeling
warm out of or that worsens following heavy of subluxation.
exercise, swaying gait or 'bunny-hopping', etc.

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