Radiographic hip joint phenotype of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Orthopedic Science
• Canine Genetics

Background:

• Hip laxity is a known risk factor for hip osteoarthritis (OA) and hip dysplasia (CHD) in large-breed dogs.
• The radiographic phenotype of hip joints in small chondrodystrophic breeds like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is less understood.
• Understanding breed-specific hip joint characteristics is crucial for targeted health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the radiographic hip joint phenotype in Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
• To investigate the prevalence of subluxation, osteoarthritis (OA), and specific osteophyte types (CCO, CFHO) in this breed.
• To determine the associations between joint laxity, subluxation, osteophytes, OA, and hip dysplasia in Corgis.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 399 Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
• Evaluation of ventrodorsal, hip-extended radiographs using PennHIP methodology.
• Assessment of joint laxity (distraction index - DI), subluxation, OA, caudolateral curvilinear osteophytes (CCO), and circumferential femoral head osteophytes (CFHO).

Main Results:

• All Corgis exhibited hip laxity (DI > 0.30, mean 0.66).
• Prevalence rates were: 6.8% OA, 18% subluxation, 22.3% CCO, and 74.4% CFHO.
• Higher DI correlated with subluxation and CHD. CCO and CFHO were significantly associated with hip dysplasia, while subluxation strongly predicted OA.

Conclusions:

• Pembroke Welsh Corgis possess significant hip laxity but a low frequency of conventional OA, differing from large-breed dogs.
• Caudolateral curvilinear osteophytes (CCO) and circumferential femoral head osteophytes (CFHO) are strongly associated with hip dysplasia in this breed.
• The findings highlight breed-specific radiographic patterns and risk factors for hip joint disease in Corgis, with CFHO linked to subluxation and CCO to OA.