Pathologic alterations in canine hip dysplasia

The pathologic changes in articular cartilage appear to be of central importance in the development of canine hip dysplasia. But, articular cartilage has only a limited number of responses to injury and a limited capacity for repair. Damage to articular cartilage in dogs with canine hip dysplasia is likely multifactorial in origin, involving cytokines, abnormal load-bearing, and, possibly, other undefined factors.