title: A retrospective study on findings of canine hip dysplasia screening in Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study was undertaken to evaluate the findings of canine hip dysplasia screening in Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records for 591 dogs were included in this study. The data was obtained from the national screening office, Kenya Veterinary Board, for the period between the years 1998 and 2014. Monthly screening records were assessed and information relating to year of evaluation, breed, sex, age, and hip score captured. Descriptive statistics of hip scores was computed based on year, sex, age, and breed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 591 records from the year 1998 to 2014 were retrieved at the National Screening Centre, the Kenya Veterinary Board. Each record was examined and data pertaining to year of screening, the breed, sex, age of the dogs, and the total hip score were recorded. The highest number of dogs screened for hip dysplasia (HD) was in the year 2009 and the lowest in the year 1998. More females than males were screened for HD and the mean age of all the dogs was 22.9±12.7 months. The most common breeds of dogs screened during the study period were German Shepherd (67.0%), Rottweiler (15.6%), and Labrador Retriever (12.2%). The mean hip score for the 591 dogs was 15.1±10.9 and the median 12.0. The mean hip scores per breed were; German Shepherd (16.3±12.1); Golden Retriever (16.0); Hungarian Vizla (15.0); Labrador Retriever (3.0±6.7); Great Dane (13.3±3.2); Rottweiler (12.2±8.2); Doberman (10.3±4.2); Rhodesian Ridgeback (9.6±3.8); and Boxer (9.3±0.6). Based on the hip score, moderate to severe HD was diagnosed in 16.6% of the dogs, mild HD in 32.7%, Borderline HD in 37.7%, fair HD in 6.9%, and good HD in 6.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Canine HD is a common occurrence in Kenya with most dogs suffering mild to border line HD. In addition, German Shepherd and Golden Retriever appear to be the most affected breeds. It is therefore recommended that stringent measures be imposed to dog breeding programs to avoid transmission of this undesirable trait and consequently improve the welfare and the quality of dog breeds in Kenya.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kimeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Susan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Mbugua
authors.affiliation: Sercombe Veterinary Surgeons, P.O Box 24878-00502, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Roger M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cap
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kirui
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Tequiero O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Abuom
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Willy E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Mwangi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Ambrose N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kipyegon
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mande
keywords: Kenya; dogs; hip dysplasia; hip score