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NEWSLETTER
VOL 3 ISSUE NO 1
2005
Previous Newsletter
We discussed how to read a KUSA Pedigree, AKC Pedigree.
Also HD and ED certificates.
My question last year - To make you start thinking, which do
you think is most important HD or ED? (HD – Hip dysplasia and
ED – Elbow dysplasia)
Large Breed dogs:
All large breed dogs must have HD and ED certificates. One of
the main problems with Large Breed dogs is Dysplasia. That is
if you want to breed. Pets do not need to have the certificates
but it is worth while to choose a puppy from HD & ED free dogs.
Dysplasia:
I can’t go into full detail – then I need to write a book.
Feel free to ask if you need more info. There are good books on
the market as well as your local Veterian who could advise you.
Hip dysplasia and Elbow dysplasia is a multiple gene,
inherited disease. Environmental factors, like high caloric
diet or lack of protein during the rapid growth phase, may
exacerbate changes in dysplastic hips but will not create hip
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dysplasia. Injuries to a small puppy can also cause dysplasia.
There also is no evidence that supplements (i.e. Vitamin C) will
prevent hip dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia is a terrible genetic disease because of the
various degrees of arthritis it can eventually produce, leading to
pain and debilitation or lameness.
Many factors work together to cause this disease, which is a
combination of a dog genetically inclined to get this disease
interacting with environmental factors that bring about the
symptoms
Damage done – Inherited:
The very first step in the development of arthritis is articular
cartilage damage due to an abnormally developed hip joint
Parents who are HD free can produce dysplastic puppies
because they can inherit it from previous generations. Check
your pedigree carefully.
This could be a very costly experience if you did not do your
homework – before you bought the puppy. Not to mention the
heartache if you need to euthanized the puppy due to dysplasia.
Damage done – environmental:
With cartilage damage, lots of degradative enzymes are
released into the joint. These enzymes degrade and decrease
the bone. The joint's lubrication and ability to block
inflammatory cells are lost and loses its ability to properly
nourish the cartilage through impairment of nutrient-waste
exchange across the joint cartilage cells.
.
No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start
showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. There are
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multiple environmental factors such as caloric intake, excess
calcium in the diet of puppy food for large breed dogs, along
with obesity, high protein and level of exercise, or lack of
exercise and weather that can affect the severity of clinical
signs. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe
arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and
some dogs with barely any arthritic radiographic changes that
are severely lame.
Environmental and injury damage is done via the following:
 Malnutrition – due to wrong feeding. – See above. Follow
your breeder’s advice towards feeding instructions.
 Allowing your pup to jump and climb stairs from a young
age. I asked in the beginning, which is more important.
Here is your answer. If puppies jump off, their whole body
weight is on the front legs, ED – if it’s from environmental
factors this is one of your biggest problems. Do not allow a
puppy to jump on and off or climb stairs.
 Children picking up puppies on their front legs etc.
 Injuries from letting the pup fall when picked up.
 Kicking pups, tramping on pups and even ruff wrestling
with small pups.
Here follow a drawing of Dysplasia
Normal
Moderate
Severe
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Hip dysplasia showing progressive increase in joint space
and joint wear.
Various degrees of Dysplasia:
Every country has its own rating system:
At the end of the day – they are all the same. Please study your
countries ratings. HD and ED gets rated the same
South Africa: 0:0 - excellent
1:1 - moderate
2:2 – Bad
3:3 – Severe
USA: European
OFA
FCI
E
G
F
B
M
Mod
S
A-1
A-2
B-1
B-2
C
D
E
Australia
BVA
0-4 (no > 3/hip)
5-10 (no > 6/hip)
11-18
19-25
26-35
36-50
51-106
Germany
SV
Normal
Normal
Normal
Fast Normal
Noch Zugelassen
Mittlere
Schwere
Penn hip and OVC in Canada
Penn Hip X-rays are taken in a different position than X-rays for
OFA certification
I am going to use South African ratings to explain:
Ratings are Left and Right side. They can differ in rating
between sides as well as between Hip and elbow.
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The following is my opion and can differ from breeder to breeder.
Personally, I consider health clearances a strong tool in my
breeding program, and do have elbows and hips completed on
my dogs, along with other clearances
I will use a dog with the following Dysplasia
0:0 – always (depending on the rest of the dog and mainly
his/her temperament (but that is totally a different issue)
1:1 – I will use for breeding
2:2 and 3:3 – I will never use for breeding. No matter what and
who the dog is.
You can find that a dog has mixed ratings
0:1 or 1:2 or 0:2 etc.
In my mind if you do get a rating 0:3 I will put this down to
injury more than genetics. But I am not prepared to use such a
dog in a breeding program.
The breeding of dogs that already have hip dysplasia is one of
the primary reasons the disease is still present.
Treatment:
Treatment differs from degree of dysplasia. This is very costly!
Breeders suppose not to use dogs with dysplasia for breeding.
Medical – Rimadyl can be given not to treat the dysplasia but to
relieve the pain.
Surgical – There are 5 different options for example Total hip
replacement. This is a very costly exercise. To save yourself and
your beloved dog. Do your home work first before you buy a
puppy.
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We don't all have decades behind us in the breed and any
chance there is to learn would be of great value. Why not
educate the NEXT GENERATION of breeders?
That is what your mentor is for. This is why I am doing these
News Letters That is why it's so very important to make your
entrance into this breed after much thought and
research. Choose whom you
get your foundation from very carefully. If one wants education
and one chooses badly and the foundation is wrong, then it's up
to you to seek out mentors who will guide you. You want
education? You know whom to ask. It's up to you to do the
asking.
Our next News letter we will deal with worms – a much
neglected disease and a very dangerous one.
I have completed my course as a Dog Behaviorist – any
problems please contact me.
Forward this to a friend or subscribe to this Newsletter at:
sabullmastiffs@bullmastiffs.co.za
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Magda Ledoux
www.sabullmastiffs.com
+27824122397
+27118511273
KUSA member Kennel Union of South Africa
BMCN member Bullmastiff Club Netherlands
SWBC member South West Bullmastiff Club USA
BMCAus member Bullmastiff Club Australia
ABA member
America Bullmastiff Association
ABC member
Animal Behaviour Consultancy
HAIG member
Human Animal Interaction Group