Prevalence of and risk factors for hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs

Objective-To evaluate prevalence of and risk factors for hip clysplasia (HD) and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency (CCLD) in dogs and determine change in prevalence over time. Design-Cross-sectional study. Animals-1,243,681 dogs for which information was reported to the Veterinary Medical Database between 1964 and 2003. Procedures-Information on breed, sex, and age was collected, and prevalences and odds ratios were calculated. Results-Castrated male dogs were significantly more likely than other dogs to have HID (odds ratio [OR], 1.21), and castrated male (OR, 1.68) and spayed female (OR, 2.35) dogs were significantly more likely to have CCLD. Dogs up to 4 years old were significantly more likely to have HID (OR for dogs 2 months to 1 year old, 1.22; OR for dogs > 1 to 4 years old, 1.48), whereas dogs > 4 years old were significantly more likely to have CCLD (OR for dogs > 4 to 7 years old, 1.82; OR for dogs > 7 years old, 1.48). In general, large- and giant-breed dogs were more likely than other dogs to have HID, CCLD, or both. Prevalences of HD and CCLD increased significantly over the 4 decades for which data were examined. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that sex, age, and breed were risk factors for HID, CCLD, or both in dogs and that prevalences of HD and CCLD have increased over time.