Specific breed brochure - Breed Nutrition

Although often discovered by chance and not causing the dog any pain, the frequency of fracture
of one of the eight sesamoid bones should also be noted. These are the small bones of the foot
that connect the metacarpi and the phalanges of the toes. Almost every other Rottweiler is said to
be susceptible to this type of problem at some time (Desperiez, 1997).
Hindquarters
The most common diseases of the hindlimbs among Rottweilers are hip dysplasia and a ruptured
anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.
Incidence of dysplasia in Rottweilers
Rottweilers are robust dogs, but they are much more susceptible to hip dysplasia than the dog
population as a whole (6.5 times more susceptible according to LaFond et al, 2002). It is important
to screen for dysplasia as early as possible as genetic selection is the basis of the fight to eradicate
the hereditary component of this disease.
A radiology examination can be used to
diagnose dysplasia. Clinically, hip dysplasia
Coxofemoral dysplasia
can manifest itself as a ‘rolling’ gait as viewed
from the rear or pain during exercises that
require flexion-extension of the hindlimbs.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
database shows that in the US Rottweilers are
among the breeds in which the percentage of
dogs classified as having healthy hips after a
radiology examination is rising fastest. These
figures are skewed due to the greater likelihood
of the healthiest dogs being screened,
but the high rate of submission to this examination
is still a positive factor (Morgan et al,
2000).
Dysplasia is due to hyperlaxity of the head
of the femur inside the joint cavity of
the pelvis. In time abnormal joint functioning
leads to wear of the surfaces of the joint
and subluxation of the femur.
11
1. Pelvis
2. Head of femur
3. Neck of femur
4. Femur