Canine Hip Dysplasia: Effects of Pectineal Myectomy on the Coxofemoral Joints of Greyhound and German Shepherd Dogs

Abstract

SUMMARY Unilateral pectineal myectomies (complete removal of one pectineus muscle) were performed on 5 Greyhounds and 62 German Shepherd Dogs 54 to 63 days old. At 12 to 47 months of age, the dogs were examined radiographically and euthanatized. The mean age (and sd) for the Greyhounds was 34.0 ± 5.8 months; for the German Shepherd Dogs, 24.2 ± 6.3 months. Subsequently, the femurs and acetabulums were processed for pathoanatomic examinations. From the radiographic and pathoanatomic examinations, the coxofemoral joints of the Greyhounds were judged to be normal, bilaterally. From radiographic examination, 9 German Shepherd Dogs were judged to have greater pathologic changes on the unoperated side; 47 had no differences between sides; and 6 had greater pathologic changes on the side on which myectomy had been performed. From pathoanatomic examination, 19 German Shepherd Dogs were judged to have greater pathologic changes on the unoperated side; 28 had no differences between sides; and 15 had greater pathologic changes on the side on which myectomy had been performed. By both methods of examination, there was no significant difference in the status of coxofemoral joints between operated and unoperated sides.