First evidence for an association between joint hypermobility and excitability in a non-human species, the domestic dog

Sci Rep. 2019 Jun 13;9(1):8629. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45096-0.

Abstract

There is a well-established relationship between joint hypermobility and anxiety in humans, that has not previously been investigated in other species. A population of 5575 assistance dogs were scored for both hip hypermobility and 13 behaviour characteristics using previously validated methods. Our results suggest a positive association between hip joint hypermobility and emotional arousal in domestic dogs, which parallel results found in people.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / physiopathology*
  • Logistic Models