Post by DogGoneGood on Jan 26, 2008 0:22:00 GMT -5
Some articals about hips and joints...
The term hip dysplasia means bad formation of the hip and describes a developmental disease of the hip joints in young dogs of many different breeds. Unsound hip joints are common problem in workking and sporting breeds and hip dysplasia is a serious problem in any dog that is to be trained for a demanding activity.
Symptoms - Signs of hip dyslplasia cannot be detected in the new born puppy, but usually appear in the rapid growth period between four and nine months of age. Signs of the disease can vary widely from slight irregularaties of gait to crippling hip disease. Improvement or even apparent disappearance of lameness can occur as the dog matures but arthritis of the hip joints is usually present in the older dog with hip displasia.
Diagnosis - The best way to determine the condition of the hip joints of a dog is by good x-ray examination. Sedation or a short acting anesthetic may be necessary to restrain the dog so that a diagnostic fil can be made.
Treatment - Your veterinarian may suggest rest and supportive care as a medical treatment during the acute phase of the disease. Surgical treatment for the relief of pain may be of value if discomfort persists. Moderate and regular exercise, control of exessive weight and anti-inflammatory drugs are helpful in the management of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia in the older dog.
Genetics - Hip dysplasia is an inherited defect with polygenic mode of inheritance. The degree of heritability is moderate in nature and the condition of the hip joints can be modified by environmental factors such as over-nutrition and excessively rapid growth. As with any quantitative trait, hip joint conformation can range from good to bad with all shades in between.
Control - Inasmuch as faulty hip joints are not readily observable, dogs intended for breeding should be x-rayed when mature ot select for sound hips. Two years of age is considered to be the minimum age for radiographic determination of desirable conformation with respect to canine hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be used for breeding.
from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Consensus reports on pelvic radiographs from the OFA contain information for serious breeders and concerned owners. The consensus is the result of independent review by three veterinary radiologists and is reported as one of the following categories. The first three are considered within normal radiographic limits for age & breed and are eligible for assignment of an OFA breed number if the dog was 24 months of age or older at the time of radiography.
1. EXCELLENT HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
superior hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age.
2. GOOD HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
well formed hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age.
3. FAIR HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
monor irregularities of hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age.
The following categories are not eligible for an OFA breed number:
4. BORDERLINE HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
marginal hip joint conformation of indeterminate status with respect to hip dysplasia at this time. A repeat study is recommended in 6-8 months.
5. MILD HIP DYSPLASIA
radiographic evidence of minor dysplastic change of the hip joints.
6. MODERATE HIP DYSPLASIA
well defined radiographic evidence of dysplastic changes of the hip joints.
7. SEVERE HIP DYSPLASIA
radiographic evidence of marked dysplastic changes of the hip joints.
Hip joint conformation (phenotype) is the radiographic appearance of the hip joints and is the outcome of interaction between a dog's herditary make-up (genotype) and it's environment. Hip joint conformation can be represented as a range from excellent to very dysplastic and shades in between these two ends of the spectrum. Traits such as this are referred to as quantitative characters and are thought to depend upon the interaction of many genes (polygenic).
Modern breeds of dogs vary widely in body size and shape and in pelvic conformation. Because of these differences, OFA classifications are based on comparisions among other individuals of the same breed and age. Knowledge of a dog's pelvic phenotype can be a valuable guide for the breeder in selection against hip dysplasia and understanding a dog's pelvic phenotype can be useful means of estimating an individual dog's potential for an active working life.
What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?
The term hip dysplasia means bad formation of the hip and describes a developmental disease of the hip joints in young dogs of many different breeds. Unsound hip joints are common problem in workking and sporting breeds and hip dysplasia is a serious problem in any dog that is to be trained for a demanding activity.
Symptoms - Signs of hip dyslplasia cannot be detected in the new born puppy, but usually appear in the rapid growth period between four and nine months of age. Signs of the disease can vary widely from slight irregularaties of gait to crippling hip disease. Improvement or even apparent disappearance of lameness can occur as the dog matures but arthritis of the hip joints is usually present in the older dog with hip displasia.
Diagnosis - The best way to determine the condition of the hip joints of a dog is by good x-ray examination. Sedation or a short acting anesthetic may be necessary to restrain the dog so that a diagnostic fil can be made.
Treatment - Your veterinarian may suggest rest and supportive care as a medical treatment during the acute phase of the disease. Surgical treatment for the relief of pain may be of value if discomfort persists. Moderate and regular exercise, control of exessive weight and anti-inflammatory drugs are helpful in the management of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia in the older dog.
Genetics - Hip dysplasia is an inherited defect with polygenic mode of inheritance. The degree of heritability is moderate in nature and the condition of the hip joints can be modified by environmental factors such as over-nutrition and excessively rapid growth. As with any quantitative trait, hip joint conformation can range from good to bad with all shades in between.
Control - Inasmuch as faulty hip joints are not readily observable, dogs intended for breeding should be x-rayed when mature ot select for sound hips. Two years of age is considered to be the minimum age for radiographic determination of desirable conformation with respect to canine hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be used for breeding.
from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Canine Hip Joint Confromation:
Consensus reports on pelvic radiographs from the OFA contain information for serious breeders and concerned owners. The consensus is the result of independent review by three veterinary radiologists and is reported as one of the following categories. The first three are considered within normal radiographic limits for age & breed and are eligible for assignment of an OFA breed number if the dog was 24 months of age or older at the time of radiography.
1. EXCELLENT HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
superior hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age.
2. GOOD HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
well formed hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age.
3. FAIR HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
monor irregularities of hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age.
The following categories are not eligible for an OFA breed number:
4. BORDERLINE HIP JOINT CONFORMATION
marginal hip joint conformation of indeterminate status with respect to hip dysplasia at this time. A repeat study is recommended in 6-8 months.
5. MILD HIP DYSPLASIA
radiographic evidence of minor dysplastic change of the hip joints.
6. MODERATE HIP DYSPLASIA
well defined radiographic evidence of dysplastic changes of the hip joints.
7. SEVERE HIP DYSPLASIA
radiographic evidence of marked dysplastic changes of the hip joints.
Hip joint conformation (phenotype) is the radiographic appearance of the hip joints and is the outcome of interaction between a dog's herditary make-up (genotype) and it's environment. Hip joint conformation can be represented as a range from excellent to very dysplastic and shades in between these two ends of the spectrum. Traits such as this are referred to as quantitative characters and are thought to depend upon the interaction of many genes (polygenic).
Modern breeds of dogs vary widely in body size and shape and in pelvic conformation. Because of these differences, OFA classifications are based on comparisions among other individuals of the same breed and age. Knowledge of a dog's pelvic phenotype can be a valuable guide for the breeder in selection against hip dysplasia and understanding a dog's pelvic phenotype can be useful means of estimating an individual dog's potential for an active working life.
