Prevalence of hip dysplasia in Boerboel dogs in Nigeria: A retrospective study of radiographic screening between 2016 and 2022

Abstract

Canine hip dysplasia is a complex developmental disease of coxo-femoral joints accounting for 30% of canine orthopaedic cases. Radiological examinations of coxofemoral joints are done to determine the genetic carriers for canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and remove such dogs from breeding. There is scanty record on prevalence of CHD in Boerboel dogs. We reviewed the anterioposterior and flexed lateral hip radiographs of apparently normal Boerboel dogs presented for hip certification between 2016 and 2022 to determine CHD prevalence in the breed. Radiographs were graded using modified Federation Cynologique International grading system. CHD prevalence was expressed as percentages, while age and sex difference in prevalence of CHD were compared using chi-square test. Relative percentages were calculated for CHD grades C, D, and E. Differences were considered significant at p ? 0.05. Median age for the dogs was 2 years with age ranging between 1 and 6 years. 27 (42.2%) were non dysplastic, while 37(57.8%) were dysplastic. Dogs with grade A accounted mostly for the non-dysplastic dogs, while dogs with grade C accounted mostly for dysplastic dogs. HD Prevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in female than male, however, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in CHD prevalence between dogs (1 – 2 years of age) and dogs (3 – 6 years of age). Dogs with grade C have the highest relative percentage among the dysplastic grades. It was concluded that CHD prevalence in Boerboel dogs is high and dogs with grade C accounted for most of the CHD cases.