Screening for hip and elbow dysplasia

Hip dysplasia

Information and advice for owners

Hip and elbow dysplasia are terms that define several different pathophysiological abnormalities of the development of the bones forming the hip and elbow joints.

The word “dysplasia” comes from ancient greek and consists of two words – “dys” which means “wrong, abnormal” and “plassein”, meaning “to form, to create”.

The dysplasia leads to serious health problems with heavy consequences for the patients, owners and breeders.

It is one of the most common orthopedic diseases, and nearly always leads to osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis.

This degenerative disease of the joints is associated with severe pain, lameness, decreased activity and inability of the joint to function. Diagnosing the disease is extremely important for the dog owners and breeders. The affected animals transfer the dysplasia in their offspring, even in heavier degree. The prognosis for animals which are diagnosed and treated in time is much better than those with advanced form of the disease (with osteoarthrosis ). Hip and elbow dysplasia are diagnosed correctly only after specific radiological examination in combination with clinical methods (Ortolani test, etc.).

The experts of FCI and WSAVA (World Canine Organization and World Small Animal Veterinary Association) created confirmed methods and protocol for examination and estimation of the degree of dysplasia.

The hip joints are valued by measurement of their anatomic structures and the angles between them. The degrees of hip dysplasia are five:

• "A" – normal joint -"B"- border form -"C"- mild form -"D"- medium form -"E"-severe form

The elbow joints are examined in a similar way and four degrees of dysplasia exist: 0, 1, 2, 3, as “0” is normal and “3” is severe form.

In most European countries there are organisations of veterinary orthopedists and radiologists using these protocols for examination. These organizations of specialists are acknowledged by FCI and other associations (WSAVA, IWEG, FECAVA).

The dog owners who would like their dog to be examined according to this standard method have to ask their vet, who will explain the procedure to them.

The check up is always done under anaesthesia. The owner has to bring with him all the pet’s documents.

The dog has to be microchipped or if it is not, then it is done during the procedure. The owner guarantees the identity of the animal.

The minimal age for issuing an official certificate is 12 months for the most breeds, as for the rest it is 15 months.

For dogs, which will weigh more than 15 kg in mature age, a radiograph taken at 6 months of age is highly recommended. This is done with an aim of early diagnosing and treatment of the disease.

Price of the procedure includes check up, anaesthetic, radiographs, their interpretation and printing of the certificate with the results. We offer you professional examination and quality diagnostics in the field of the hip and elbow dysplasia, adequate prophylactic programs and modern methods of treatment.

On 05.11. 2009 in Dortmund, Germany Dr. Borislav Georgiev took an examination and received a diploma as an expert in the canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and became a member of the GRSK (The German association of the Radiologists for hereditary diseases of small animal skeleton). He was the first certified panellist in Bulgaria. This organization is a leader in the radiographic examinations, diagnostics and therapy of the congenital diseases of small animal skeleton. It is officially acknowledged by FCI and IEWG. An international certificate confirming the results is issued to every animal tested for such diseases in our clinic.

If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.