I stopped working in veterinary medicine three years ago after being employed as an emergency technician for thirteen years. During that time I saw many dogs of varying breeds come through the doors with all the classic symptoms of canine hip dysplasia. Now research has begun looking into feline hip dysplasia and like its canine counter part, it is thought to be a hereditary disorder. No single gene has yet to be linked to the problem and researchers feel it is the result of several genetic factors working together.
Dysplasia simply means the abnormal development of some type of tissue.
Hip dysplasia is the result of the abnormal formation of the hip socket and head or ball at the top of the femur. In a normal hip the acetabulum fits closely to the femoral head so there is an ease of movement and the joint moves smoothly. The femoral head doesn t snap into place, it is held there by the large muscles that surround the hip and pelvis. In an abnormal or dysplastic hip, the various parts of the hip are malformed and the femoral head can t fit properly into the acetabulum. This creates a serious freedom in the joint that allows the head of the femur to come out of joint or subluxate.