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CANINE HIP & ELBOW DYSPLASIA      
Have your Chow Chows tested for hereditary diseases:
by Dr. Larry van Niekerk BVSc(Hons), MmedVet(Chirg)
There is nothing more devastating to a dog owner, than to be told after X-rays of the hips and elbows, that your companion has
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) or Elbow Dysplasia (ED). The pet is already an established member of the family at the time the diagnosis is made.
This group of developmental diseases can only be decreased or eradicated from your breed by careful and selective breeding from animals
that are known to be hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) free and by progeny testing.

This means that all animals in a breeding program should be properly identified, usually by microchipping. A small glass diode remains
under the skin as a permanent form of identification for the rest of the animal's life. The results of hip and elbow scores must be placed
in the animal's stud records. A stud record should not be just a list of fancy names, but it should include genetic information
that will help breeders select good breeding animals.
    Schematic of well-positioned extended hip radiograph   
High quality radiographs must be taken under sedation or general anaesthesia, 
to diagnose these conditions. Anaesthesia of or radiography of bitches in season, 
does not affect the results or grading scores. Please ask your veterinarian 
whether his / her hospital has been accredited by the University of Pretoria 
to take Hip Dysplasia X-rays. Three standard views are taken and you should 
please take along your pedigree papers if you require a HD certificate. 

A flexed view of both elbows will soon become a requirement to 
exclude elbow dysplasia as well.
 
The most commonly asked question is "what causes CHD or ED?". 

It is now considered to be part of a syndrome affecting young fast growing large breed 
dogs, known as the "osteochondrosis" syndrome. This group of diseases which includes 
hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteochondritus descicans of the shoulder joint, 
ununited anconeal process of the elbow, fragmented medical coronoid process of the elbow
and other joint incongruency diseases, is more prevalent in certain breeds.
Detailed description of the hip joint  
Nutrition during the growth phase plays a vital role in whether the disease will manifest itself or not.
The wisest advice is DO NOT OVER FEED DURING THE GROWING PHASE and STAY AWAY FROM CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTATION.

Ask your veterinarian which diets have the correct calcium levels for growing dogs. Puppies cannot control the calcium intake as do adults
and deposit excess calcium in the bones. The correct diet will help an affected individual, but it will not change the animal's genes.
Schematic showing where arthritic bone may be deposited THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CHD and ED IS TO SELECT SIBLINGS
AND NEAR ANCESTORS WITH NORMAL HIPS and ELBOWS FOR YOUR BREEDING PROGRAM.		 
SUGGESTED BREEDING GOALS:
  1. Have all breeding males and females permanently identified and X-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia.
  2. Keep records of hip and elbow scores of all registered breeding stock on the stud register.
  3. When you know the incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia in your breeding stock, breed as much as possible from the best possible elbow and hip scores. 
Your goal should be to improve the overall conformation and character of your breed. Conservative and surgical treatments are only 
successful with early diagnosis. Early high quality radiographs and visualisation of the joint by endoscopy will allow early intervention 
and avoid some of the more drastic surgical procedures. Prevention is always better than cure, and nothing will improve or destroy 
your breed quicker than not being responsible and aware of those breeding animals that have genetic defects.

Suggested reading:
Dog Breeder's / Owners' Symposium HEREDITARY CONDITIONS IN DOGS 17th April 1999. This was the first symposium held offered by the staff of the University of Pretoria Onderstepoort, and I predict it will become a "must attend" conference for all serious dog breeders.

References and Credits:
Article - Dr. Larry van Niekerk - BVSc(Hons), MmedVet(Chirg), Fourways Veterinary Hospital.
Line drawings - Prof. R. Kirberger from Dog Breeder / Owner Symposium HEREDITARY CONDITIONS IN DOGS - 17 April, 1999.

From DOGS IN AFRICA magazine - February 2000.
Also test for common eye disorders specific to Chow Chows, described by Dr. Izak Venter (MMEDVET OPHTH) ophthalmologist of the
Johannesburg Animal Eye Hospital.
                      
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