The
following article is duplicated from the Dutch Kennel Club’s brochure,
department GGW (the former WK Hirschfeld Stichting).
Elbowdysplasia
Elbowdysplasia-research is for 4 different conditions of the elbow-joints, who
all eventually will lead to deformation of the joint and will cripple a dog.
They are development disorders from mostly the cartilage in the joint, due to
hereditary and environmental influences. Some dogs can have severe problems from
this at a young age. With others, at a later age the severe deformations in the
joint will cripple the dog. The research is based on x-rays made from the elbows.
Because the causes can vary between different breeds, the number of x-rays made
are also different per breed.
The
rating panel
One of the functions of the ED-panel from the Dutch Kennelclub, department
Health, Behaviour and Wellbeing (GGW), is the rating of x-rays of the
elbow-joints from dogs. The x-rays, the so called ED x-rays can be made by every
veterinarian which has a contract with the GGW. ED x-rays are rated by a panel
of three qualified judges. The objective rating of the x-rays, which is so
important for ED prevention, is secured as good as possible this way. The rating
of ED x-rays has the purpose to give information to the breeders and breedclubs
who use information of elbowdisplasia in their breeding selection programs.
X-rays which come in at the GGW department will be rated once every two weeks.
After the GGW received the rating costs, the results are send, unless the x-rays
did not meet with the technical demands.
ED
x-rays
For a good research of the elbow-joints for the presence of arthritis, two
x-rays are needed from both elbows. For a diagnostic research x-rays are needed
in 4 different positions. For both researches, the dog has to be 18 months of
age.
For the reliability of the ratings, high demands are needed in quality and
documentation (identification) from these x-rays. If these demands are not
reached, the veterinarian who made the x-rays will be informed, with a note
about what was not correct and a request to make new x-rays. Such a request is
send immediately after the rating of the x-rays and is at the latest within two
weeks after GGW received the x-ray, at the veterinarian’s. Also the owner will
be notified. The veterinarian should contact the dog’s owner to make an
appointment for new ED x-rays. The rating of these new x-rays will not be
charged.
The
rating
The ED-panel will give her final rating as one of the following classifications:
Free, Borderline, 1st degree, 2nd degree or 3rd
degree. In those cases where breed- or project-specified ratings are needed, the
panel will also judge the different parts of the condition.
ED
rating
The arthritis-rating is done according International values, set by the
“International Elbow Working Group”.
The definitive arthritis-classification will be equal to the arthritis-rating of
the worst of both elbow-joints.
With ED-research, a difference in made between breeds selected on international
publications for higher risks. With these breeds, 4 x-rays per elbow are
required. With the other breeds, 2 x-rays per elbow are sufficient for now.
The veterinarian and Dutch Kennelclub, department GGW, can tell you which breed
needs how many x-rays.
The
rating of the different parts
The word “Elbowdysplasia” is used when one of the following conditions is
present in the elbow-joint:
1. OCD (Osteochondritis dissecans, a loose piece of cartilage from the upper-arm)
2. LPC (Los processus coronoïdeus, a loose piece of bone from the lower forearm)
3. LPA (Los proc.anconeus, a loose piece of bone in any other part of the lower
forearm)
4. Incongruention (a not “fitting” joint, due to different lengths from the
2 bones in the lower forearm).
All of the above mentioned conditions will lead to development of
“arthritis” within months. With arthritis, we mean “changes in the joints
(bone-reactions) that will develop during the condition, which are staying and
are especially shown by start-pains (some crippled steps after the dog gets up),
“walking through” (so better movement after some time) and a worse situation
after too much stress.”
Treatment
The
treatment of a dysfunctional elbow-joint depends on the cause and seriousness of
the condition, the amount of pain, the dog’s age and the possible presence of
(complex) arthritical changes.
Often surgery is required.
With this surgery, unless other factors are the case, loose bone- and cartilage
fragments (with OCD, LPA and LPC) will be removed from the joint while
inconguention will be corrected if possible. Arthritis is not curable with
surgery, the cause of arthritis is.
It is not proven that there is any medication that can cure arthritis. But by
working with movement rules and the usage of painkillers, the pain is often
reduced.
Repeating
the ED-research
Usually a dog only has to be rated once in a lifetime. In some cases it is best
to repeat the research after 1 year. This can also be done if the owner wants
this done. The new rating will replace the old rating from that moment.
Elbowdysplasia
and breeding
Usually we can say that the better the qualification of the elbows, the smaller
the changes that the offspring will develop ED. This is no guarantee that all
offspring of negative dogs will be negative, chances are only better. The way of
hereditary can be different in each breed.
Reports
The ratings of ED-research are send to breedclubs that have a contract with the
GGW. One of the consequences is that the raring should be published, for members
and not members. GGW does not register names of owners. These are not mentioned
on the reports.
Your
dog and ED
Owners of dogs that have been officially x-rayed often ask the vet that made the
x-rays for his or hers opinion on the state of the elbows. If the first
impression of the vet is milder than the definitive score, the dog’s owner is
often disappointed. The ED-panel advises veterinarians not to make any remarks
on the condition of the elbows. From dogs which are not clear of Elbowdysplasia,
but who do not show any signs from the outside, it is impossible to predict if
they will have problems sooner or later. This will depend on the severeness of
the condition and the uses of the dog and the dog itself. It is wise to see to
it that the dog will not be too heavy and also that otherwise stressing the
elbows is avoided. This does depend on the demands the owner does have on his
dog as pet or workingdog. In case of doubt, you can always consult with your
vet.
ED
and breeding
The ED-rating only gives information about the elbows of the individual dog.
Information about the ED-rating from parents, littermates and offspring will
contribute to a more accurate impression about the breeding-quality of that
individual dog. It is very important that breedclubs have access to all results
and that all ED x-rays that are made also are send for official rating by the
ED-panel, even if the veterinarian sees obvious deformations in the elbows. Best
is to only breed with ED vrij (ED free) dogs, because chances of ED in the
offspring are reduced to a minimum that way. With breeds that only have a
limited population and breeds in which ED often occurs, this is unfortunately
not always possible. Within the breed-club, breeders should consult with the
Kennelclub, GGW department, about what is necessary and possible in the name of
ED prevention and what is accepted in the name of breeding.
If
there are any questions after reading the above, you can contact, preferably by
mail:
Raad van Beheer, afdeling GGW, Postbus 75901, 1070 AX Amsterdam
Telephone/Fax +31 (0)20-6794462
Example
ED-certificate:
X-rays
from above rating:
We hope to have better pictures available in the future.
As
you can see on above picture, the Cane Corso breed needs 4 x-rays per elbow.
According to the Dutch Kennelclub’s explanation, department GGW, this is only
done with breeds that have a higher risk according to international publications.
ED does not occur very often with the Cane Corso and if, usually in combination
with CHD. ED research is not included in the bylaws from the breedclub. They do
recommend to have an HD D dog checked for ED, before it is used for breeding. If
any form of ED is found, this dog is not good enough to breed with. We only have
a small population selected on CHD and looks, but ED is so rare, that we can
tackle this problem at the source.
Up | Hip Dysplasia | CHD ratings compared | Elbowdysplasia | Movement | Teeth | Cherry Eye
Nancy Koper
canecorsonancy@outlook.it |
