One of the biggest health concerns for all Boxer owners is Hip Dysplasia. This is the number one cause of lameness is the hindquarters in Boxers and should be something all Boxer owners should be aware of. Hip Dysplasia is an arthritic condition originating from looseness in the hip itself.

Background
Hip Dysplasia occurs in the ball and socket joint where the thighbone (femur) joins the pelvis. In dogs looseness in the joint can be caused by the tissue, which hold the joint in place. Over time the looseness in the joint will lead to abnormalities of the bone in the ball and socket. Hip Dysplasia is typically seen in elder dogs as opposed to young pups. Research has not shown that the looseness of the tissues does not change over time from when the dog is young. The problems in the elder years are caused by the looseness in the joint over a prolonged period of time causing arthritic problems with the dog.

Certification
The main resource for information and research on Hip Dysplasia is conducted by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA believes little change occurs in testing for Hip Dysplasia after a dog reaches 4 months of age. As a precaution, they do require testing of dogs up to 2 years and older for certification purposes. It is better to err on the side of caution when dealing with a dogs health and this is the reasoning behind the adulthood testing.

When testing for Hip Dysplasia the signs can vary from showing no symptoms to severe lameness issues. It has been shown that in regards to issues with the hip that the severity shown on X-rays does not always match the degree of lameness in the dog. The diagnosis itself is completed through the use of X-rays of the hip. When the X-ray is completed, a picture of the hip joint is taken from the pelvis to the kneecap on the animal. During the X-ray procedure the position of the dog is critical and therefore the dog must be sedated for a conclusive picture to be drawn. Once the X-ray is completed it is reviewed by a veterinary that has been trained in the area of evaluating Dysplasia. The dog will be given a grade from the veterinary as to the condition of the hip. The 6 grades given in regards to the level of Dysplasia detected are:
Excellent
Good
Fair
Borderline
Moderately
Severely

Hip Dysplasia and the Boxer
There have been many concerns with Hip Dysplasia among Boxer owners. The OFA shows the Boxer currently ranks 67th amongst breeds for incidence of Hip Dysplasia. Of the Boxers tested, 2.9% have graded an Excellent mark and over 11% are shown to be Dysplasitic.

Prevention for Potential Owners
The best prevention for a potential owner is to choose a breeder who have their Boxers tested for Hip Dysplasia and other common health concerns for the Boxer breed. When the parents of the pup have been certified to be free of any genetic hip issues it increases the chance of a health Boxer baby. Often buying from a breeder with certified Boxers the cost for a pet is much higher. In the long run it is well worth it, as you will have a healthier, happier new addition to the family.


Additional Resources
Visit the OFA for more information on Hip Dysplasia.

Discuss Boxer Health in the Boxer-Dog.org community.

Find Boxer Health Resources in the Boxer-Dog.org directory.




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