On January 30, during oneof Moira Delia’s popularprogrammes on TVM, Animal Diaries, a young vet wasinvited to explain what hip dysplacia meant.

The vet was very knowledgeable and it was evident that he knew the subject very well. But I thought it wasn’t fair on the vet to talk about such a difficult matter in such a short time.

I am afraid that in trying to simplify the subject there isa danger that oversimplification will result and the subjectwill be trivialised and made grossly misleading.

The hip joint is a ball and socket arrangement with the ball (head of the femur) fitting into the socket (acetabulum) which is in the hip bone. Ideally one wants a tight fit, akin to a tennis ball inserted into a cup.

If instead of the cup, one has a saucer, the ball ‘slides around’ and the fit is imperfect.

Hip dysplsia occurs when the tight fit does not exist either through a small femoral head or, more probably, a shallow acetabulum. Meaning a loosely fitting hip joint, which is often associated with clinical symptoms; lameness, reluctance to walk long distances, difficulty in rising, a tendency to sit frequently, favouring one rear leg, a bunny hopping gait, reluctance to move from one position to another.

Breeds such as the labrador retriever, German shepherd dog, golden retrievers and many other heavy dogs have apredisposition for HD. One should hip score before breeding from them.