Comparison of femoral inclination angle measurements in dysplastic and nondysplastic dogs of different breeds.

Abstract

In this study, inclination angle of the femoral head and neck was measured on 484 limbs of 242 dogs belonging to 7 breeds, examined for hip dysplasia. These inclination angles were compared according to age, sex and joint laxity, evaluated with Subluxation Index (SI) and Norberg angle (NA) results. The findings indicate that (a) there was a minimal (nonsignificant) difference in femoral inclination angle between the dysplastic and nondysplastic dogs belonging to 7 breeds; (b) although there was no significant difference in femoral inclination angle between the nondysplastic dogs belonging to 4 breeds (Pointer, Irish Setter, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd), a significant difference was observed between Doberman and Labrador, and between Anatolian Karabash and the other six breeds (p < 0.001). Age and sex did not affect the femoral neck angle.