Hip Dysplasia

Dysplasia of the hip is a disease of genetic origin. It affects mainly large breed dogs.

In general the illness can be described as a tendency to loosening of the joint's particular components. The entire process develops slowly from the moment when the dog starts to walk. At the age of about 6 months the joint's elements cease fitting each other. In consequence they start rubbing against one another what leads to fracture, subluxation and arthritis (inflammation of the joint). The damage of the particular parts of the joint causes intense pain and the dog has difficulties with moving. The level of pain as well as the level of the dog's disability depend on the degree of the joint's looseness. The bigger it is the faster pain will appear.

Cause.

Dysplasia is handed down from parents to pups. It also happens that dysplasia appears in pups descending from healthy parents who are carriers of this gene. After the genes add up the illness develops at their offspring. The speed of the sickness' development depends on feeding and the intensity of physical exercise . An excess amount of calcium and protein in the pup's feed causes fast growth, and that becomes a stain too large for the joint. The slower the dog grows, the easier it is for the joint to adapt to the body weight. Too much physical effort, too long walks with the dog during its growth stage, increase the trauma within the joint.

The symptoms of dysplasia may appear at every age. They are:

• Cautious getting up and laying down
• Apparent limping during walking
• "Rabbit" run; the dog moves both its hind legs at the same time
• Problems with walking up stairs
• Problems with getting into a car
• Problems with moving after a period of rest

The symptoms do not always correspond with the radiologically-diagnosed level of dysplasia. Some dogs with recognized dysplasia may function quite normally. That is why prophylactic examination of all animals intended for breeding on the occurrence of dysplasia is so important.

The classification of the degree of dysplasia used hitherto in Poland

A1- hip joints normal
A2- hip joints almost normal
B1- hip joints suspicious, indication for second examination
C1- light dysplasia
C2- moderate dysplasia
C3- severe dysplasia

Currently a new classification is being introduced:

A- hip joints normal or almost normal
B- hip joints suspicious, indication for second examination
C- light dysplasia
D- moderate dysplasia
E- severe dysplasia

The most appropriate age for a prophylactic examination, as far as conclusiveness is concerned, is the age of 2-3 years. However, because of breeding and dog-show relevant reasons the examination is done as early as in the 15th month of life and in case of uncertainties (a B result) it is repeated after the 24th month. Some specialists (i.e. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) advise not to examine bitches radiologically during the heat period as the sexual hormones do have an influence on the joints and the result of the examination may be a bit worse.

Dysplasia of the hip is inherited polygenically. When both parents are free from this illness there is a large probability that the pups will also be healthy. If the grandparents where also without a flaw, the probability rises even more. As this defect is conditioned by many genes, it can't be excluded that dysplastic offspring will be born from completely healthy parents (though it will probably be light dysplasia). The frequency of appearances of dysplasia can be reduced by adequate and consequent breeding plans. Although the regulations in Poland do not demand all Ridgebacks to be x-rayed, every responsible breeder should have it done.

Dogs with diagnosed dysplasia should not be reproduced.

Prophylaxis should also include the feeding method. There are quite a lot of feeds appropriate for large breeds. The ingredients of such fodders are properly balanced.

More information:

workingdogs
offa
vetinfo

Elbow dysplasia

Like dysplasia of the hip, dysplasia of the elbow, is a hereditary disease. It mainly occurs to dogs of large breeds. In the effect of disorders in the joint's development its cartilages have a tendency to peel away from the bone. In such a case three disturbances may take place, separately or at the same time;

    • Ununited anconeus process (UAP)
       The anconeus process should unite with the rest of the bone by the sixth month         of life. If this doesn't happen the free bone fragment will move about inside the         joint causing arthritis and great pain.

• Osteochodrosis of the elbow (OCD)
  
• Fragmented coronoid process

OCD is the detachment of a fragment of the humeral bone's condyle and FCP is the detachment of a small process of the elbow bone. Those free fragments of bone move about causing arthritis and strong pain.

A classic symptom of the dysplasia of the elbow is limping on the front paws. The dog holds the hurting leg up and tries not to use it. Sometimes the dog may limp only after a large effort.

Dysplasia is diagnosed on the basis of an x-ray of the joints. It is done under narcosis. It is necessary, as the dog has to be properly positioned for the examination. It is best to have the x-ray done at a vet who is a specialist in this subject, as the diagnosis depends largely on the quality of the radiograms. It is best to do the x-ray of both joints as the illness develops in both paws at the same time. Treatment consists in surgical removal of the unattached bone fragments. In case of an advanced stage of the disease amputation of the paw may be necessary.

There is no way to completely prevent the appearance of dysplasia in pups as it is inherited from the parents. That is why it is very important to make sure that they are free from dysplasia. The breeder should give you the run of the x-ray results. The perfect joints get an A grade. Although the regulations in Poland do not demand all Ridgebacks to be x-rayed, every responsible breeder should have it done. Dogs with diagnosed dysplasia should not be reproduced.

Prophylaxis should also include the method of feeding. There are quite a lot of feeds appropriate for large breeds. The ingredients of such fodders are properly balanced.

More information:

vetinfo
offa

The appearance of DS is conditioned genetically and affects 5% of the pups. Like other hereditary diseases it is caused by the mutation of one or more genes. Even if the sickness doesn't appear in the pups, they can still be carriers of the mutated gene, and may transmit it to the next generations.

Specimens with diagnosed DS should not be used for breeding!

DS is a narrow canal witch "anchors" the skin to the spine or muscles. It places itself in the back's midline, from the top of the head to the tail.

It appears most frequently in the neck region, least often on the tail. DS forms already in the prenatal period when the spinal cord is formed from a region of the primordial skin. The skin does not separate from the vertebrae and so a tunnel is created. It contains fragments of hairs and sweat glands and connects the outer layer of skin with the spinal cord. A risk of infection appears. The only remedial measure is an operation.

Unfortunately, there are exceptions to the 'normal' sinus, i.e. one that is attached to the spine and open at the skin above the spine. They are as follows.

1. Sinus occurring on the ridge. This is rare but possible.

2. Sinus occurring on the tail. This is also rare and very difficult to diagnose because there is little loose skin.

3. Sinus not attached to the spine. This is not uncommon and, if the tube is short, difficult to palpate.

4. Sinus not open at the skin. This, too, is hard to find especially if it is not attached to the spine. The first sign is usually a lump under the skin formed by growing hair and lymph fluid. Such a lump may become much more pronounced on a bitch during the heat period.

rrcus
ds

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a hereditary disease.

The illness is inflicted by disorders within the immune system. For yet unknown reasons the dog's organism produces antibodies (ATA or TgAA), which bind with thyroid cells. The immune system's reaction is the destruction of those cells. What follows is a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones. The T3 and T4 hormones are responsible for the metabolic rate and their deficiency results in a slow down of all the organism's functions (heat production and all other production is lowered, cell division is slower).

Causes

This disorder is mainly transmitted from parents to their offspring. Other reasons are for example: neoplasm or infections of the thyroid, defects of the pituitary gland (stimulating the thyroid's secretion).

Symptoms

The thyroid cells are destroyed slowly, so the first symptoms do not appear before a majority of the gland is destroyed.

• behaviour - doziness, large sensibility to cold, lack of energy
• skin - hair loss on the sides, the tail, around the neck; inflammation of the skin and ears, great hair loss
• digestive system - poor appetite, frequent constipation or diarrhea
• other - fertility disorders, slow heartbeat, anemia, high cholesterol level, illnesses of the eye's cornea

Diagnosis

The sickness is diagnosed on the grounds of blood and urine analysis - determination of T3 and T4 levels, and the cholesterol level. In Western Europe testing for the presence of ATA is possible. It is the best test - antibodies can be detected in the blood much earlier than a decrease in the hormone levels becomes noticeable.

Treatment

Treatment of hypothyroidism consists in administering synthetic T4 hormone and lasts a lifetime.

Prevention

So far, prevention is possible only by excluding the sick specimens from breeding, and testing the dogs before lining.

More information:

Retriver Society
Movourneen

It is an illness during which a large amount of pus gathers inside the uterus. It contains toxic substances that cause liver and kidney failure. There is also a possibility of a life-threatening rupture of the uterus and peritonitis. The disease affects mainly older bitches, over eight years of age, but it may also happen to younger dogs.

This illness is the effect of hormonal disorders and frequent false pregnancy. It may also be induced by hormonal heat inhibiting preparations.

The only possible treatment is the removal of the uterus and ovaries (ovariohysterectomy). It is purposeful in the case of younger bitches, when other afflictions have not developed. In the case of older bitches and late stages, when liver and kidney failure is apparent, ovariohysterectomy will not help much. The operation is burdened with a large risk of complications and is not cheap. If the sickness has been diagnosed early uterus-emptying drugs may be administered.

If the bitch is not intended for reproduction, the best counter measure is sterilization.

A neoplasm of the mammary gland is most common for older bitches but it is not a principle. Over half of them are malignant neoplasms, which metastasize to other organs. The neoplasm may be induced by mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) that occurs during succeeding false pregnancies. The only effective measure decreasing the risk of this neoplasm is early sterilization, preferably before the first heat. Then the threat is decreased to a level of 0,05%, before the second heat - of 8%, before the fourth - of 26%.

Causes

The cause of this state is not clear, but it is probably the organism's reaction to hormonal shifts taking place at that time.

Symptoms

Symptoms of false pregnancy are the same as of a real pregnancy. The organism starts preparing itself for the delivery of the offspring. The mammal glands enlarge and a milk-like secretion appears. The bitch starts to behave nervously, stops eating and is unwilling to go for walks. She starts preparing a nest, digs holes in the garden, and gathers toys.

In a benign course it is sufficient to provide the bitch with a lot of exercise and mental training (learning new commands for example), limit petting and the amount of feed (even by 75%).

Sterilization is an operation during which the ovaries and the uterus are removed. It is done under narcosis.

The advantage of this procedure is a decreased likelihood or impossibility of many sicknesses of hormonal ground. This includes pyometra, false pregnancy, and neoplasm of the mammary gland, ovaries and uterus. It also protects the bitch from accidental line and unwanted offspring. The disadvantage is the risk bound with narcosis, but this can be prevented by through examination before the operation. The second negative occurrence, which may happen, is urinary incontinence. It affects only 2% of the bitches and is liquidated by a short hormonal therapy. Sterilization can be done from the 6 month up and there is no top age limit. The procedure should not affect the bitch's behavior- she will still be joyful. She shall not grow fat if she will be getting smaller portions of food or a special feed. The bitch does not loose any more energy for the sexual cycle so her demand for nutriment is decreased. The common opinion that a bitch should have puppies at least once is a superstition. It doesn't reduce the threat of illnesses on hormonal ground, and doesn't prevent false pregnancy.

Cryptorchism is a genetic aberration concerning male dogs. It occurs already in the prenatal life and consists in a disorder in the process of descending of the testes from the abdominal cavity to the scrotum. One or both testes remain in the abdominal cavity or the inguinal canal and sometimes in other locations. They can't produce sperms properly and the dog is not fully fertile, although all its typical male reflexes are present. Sometimes along with cryptorchism other defects occur, like umbilical and inguinal hernia. Affected dogs suffer from neoplasms of the testes 10 times more often, and half of these neoplasms are malignant. The other half are alterations in the result of which female hormones are produced.