Canine Hip Dysplasia: Effects of Pectineal Tenotomy on the Coxofemoral Joints of German Shepherd Dogs

Abstract

SUMMARY Unilateral pectineal tenotomies were performed on the tendons of insertion in 13 German Shepherd Dogs at 4, 8, or 12 weeks of age. At 12 months of age, 12 of the 13 dogs were examined radiographically; 1 dog was euthanatized at 8 months of age after sustaining traumatic luxation of the left coxofemoral joint. Subsequently, the femurs and acetabulums of all dogs were processed for pathoanatomic examination. From radiographic examination, variations in the status of coxofemoral joints between sides were not observed—3 dogs being normal and 9 dysplastic. From pathoanatomic examination, variations between sides were observed in 8 dogs—5 having greater pathologic changes on the side of the tenotomy and 3 having greater pathologic changes on the unoperated side. Five dogs had no difference between sides. By paired variate analysis, there was no significant difference between operated and unoperated sides.