What is dysplasia? Where did this come from ? How to interpret it? How to prevent it? The limited? The neat? Prevent her? Hereditary or environmental? How do I know if my puppy will be unharmed? If the parents are? Where can I take the x-rays to find out my dog's stage of dysplasia? etc ... 
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All these questions come to you when you contact us or contact a breeder who tells you about this disease, we give you stages of dysplasia, we tell you about this disease still may be known to the individual, who simply wishes to adopt a companion for life ! 
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So we decided to tell you more about it, namely that the opinion of a veterinary specialist will always be more expressive and reliable, you should in no case conclude your opinion with these few lines which remain personal to us. We only bring you a moment to read our experience. We free ourselves from all kinds, from all responsibilities.  

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What is dysplasia? 
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Hip dysplasia is a malformation which consists of a symmetrical difference, more or less important, of the head of the femur as well as of its cavity, as well as a relaxation of the ligament which makes them united. It evolves more or less quickly and evolves throughout the life of the dog, and can lead to painful and disabling osteoarthritis, which can follow operations if necessary. It is a skeletal disease that affects all dogs, but especially medium and large dogs. 
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There are several areas of the dog's body that can be affected by dysplasia (hip, elbow, shoulder, kidneys ...). We will only talk here about hip and elbow dysplasia which are the two most famous dysplasias. 
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It should always be kept in mind that a puppy up to the age of 12/15 months does not have its skeleton to finish, and that it can undergo more possible risks and is also more fragile than an adult dog. .  

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Where does dysplasia come from?  

First of all, you have to remember that dysplasia is an inherited disease, don't listen to all those carpet dealers who will tell you that this disease is not. It is also necessary to note one thing, it is not only hereditary, but also environmental, many factors are responsible for it. (see explanations below to limit the risks). 
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This disease affects many dogs, and is difficult to eradicate nowadays.

What are the stages of elbow and hip dysplasia?  

On all the pedigrees of your dogs or on the breeder's websites you very often see two letters (HD / ED) followed by one or two others for the hips (A or A / A), and one or two numbers for elbows (1 or 1/1) 

What do they correspond to?  

HD stands for hip dysplasia, there are 5 stages of official readings.
(See below how to do my dog's x-rays officially?) 
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The first stage called "Free from Hip Dysplasia" is notified by the letter A. 
The second stage called "Intermediate stage in Hip Dysplasia" is notified by the letter B. 
The third stage known as "Mild Hip Dysplasia" is notified by the letter C.
The fourth stage known as "Middle Hip Dysplasia" is indicated by the letter D.
The last stage known as "Severe Hip Dysplasia" is notified by the letter E.
Today, it is strongly recommended to marry healthy breeders together, ideally A / A with A / A, but a C / C male for example can be married with an A / A female.
It should be remembered that the letter officially displayed on the pedigree will be unique (either A / B / C / D or E), the official reader of the breed will take into account the "worst" of the hips for the final coaptation. But a dog can be for example A / E. But should not in any case reproduce.  

Here below are two official radios of our dogs and an internet radio source.  

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The ED stands for elbow dysplasia, there are 5 stages of official readings
(See below how to do my dog's x-rays officially?) 
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The first stage, called "Elbow Dysplasia Free", is indicated by the number 0. 
The second stage known as "Intermediate stage in Dysplasia of the elbow" is notified by the number SL. 
The third stage known as "Mild elbow dysplasia" is indicated by the number 1.
The fourth stage known as "Average elbow dysplasia" is indicated by the number 2.
And the last stage called "Severe Dysplasia of the Elbow" is notified by the letter 3.
Today, it is strongly recommended to marry healthy breeders together, ideally 0/0 with 0/0, but a 0/0 male for example can be married to a 1/1 female.
It should be remembered that the letter officially displayed on the pedigree will be unique (either 0 / SL / 1/2 or 3), the official reader of the breed will take into account the "worst" of the elbows as for the hips for the final coaptation. But a dog can be for example 0/3. But should not in any case reproduce.

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How to limit these risks of dysplasia  

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Today, more and more breeders are realizing that this hereditary disease can be more or less controlled, and are interested in dysplasia with more seriousness and interest.

First of all, as said above, the risks can be limited by selecting so-called "healthy" breeders. This is essential as good breeders, because if we love our animals, we must also guarantee the good health of future puppies to avoid pain on our little wolves, but also allow future owners not to spend exorbitant sums on veterinary care. 
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It is also necessary to listen to the advice given by the breeder and take into account that dysplasia as some higher line says is hereditary but also environmental, what to understand by "environmental"?  

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Food and intakes  

First of all, food is essential, a good diet with the right supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin ...) will allow dogs to receive the necessary contributions and supplements during their growth period. You should also know that fast growing dogs are more prone to dysplasia. 
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Too much excess of calcium and vitamin D decreases osteoplastic activity, delays endochondral ossification and bone remodeling.
It is also important to note that being overweight is one of the main causes of dysplasia!  

The puppy's games and daily life  

One of the main factors of dysplasia is also linked to stairs, and repetitive walks, which subject dogs to internal shocks and which can damage their hips or elbows.
It is also necessary to avoid that the puppy, and this, until the age of 15 months and to remain cautious the rest of its life when the latter will do any jumps, games, repeated slips or even long walks, which would further amplify a times the risks. You have to teach your puppy from an early age to channel himself.
We explain and advise all our customers, a golden rule to remember to limit and prevent all risks, 5 minutes of walking for 100 m two to three times a day (at normal walking) per month of age.

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(Ex:  2 month old puppy 200 m or 10 min 2X days ,  4 month old puppy 400 m or 20 min 2X days ) Conversely, an inactive puppy is more likely to develop dysplasia without moderate daily activity. 
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(of course other multiple tips are given and explained in detail to all our future owners ...) 
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Dysplasia, how is it detected and is it operable?  

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It is important to know that some dogs have dysplasia, but will never experience pain, suffering, genes and / or operations. But who for others this disease will be very painful and will have to be considered by an expensive operation and by a specialized veterinarian. 
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Dysplasia is often identifiable by mild or severe lameness, or even a particular gait, difficulty in getting up or moving, reluctance to run or a lack of coordination of the limbs. 
Following an X-ray under general anesthesia or under sedation from a veterinarian, after measurements and observations by the latter, he may detect an anomaly in the hips or elbows. It is rare for the dog to show signs of spontaneous pain. On the other hand, hip pain is often observed in consultation. 
For dysplasia detected early and to stagnate the disease, there is no alternative to surgery. 
The medical and hygienic treatment of hip dysplasia is generally the same treatment as that of osteoarthritis: weight control, nutritional supplements, anti-inflammatory and analgesics, chondroprotectors, physiotherapy. Balneotherapy and hydrotherapy are alternative medicines, or which aim to rehabilitate the dog after an operation. 
There are different operations for dysplasia. 

Bathing your dog and making her swim is very good for those joints, her muscles and her psychology!
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(CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW)  

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How do I officially do my dog's radios?

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To know the stage of your dog's dysplasia, and have your x-rays officially read, you just need to make an appointment with a veterinarian, preferably specialized in dysplasia x-rays (because the positioning must be perfect and readable otherwise the x-rays will be refused by the doctor. reader and will have to be redone), it should be remembered that general anesthesia or deep sedation is mandatory and that the 0% risk is not excluded (death of the dog), this is why we decided to collaborate with DR MIRKOVIC, veterinarian specializing in dysplasia and cardiac screening. 
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Following his radios, you will have to send your radios with your veterinarian, accompanied by a check to the breed club as well as to the official reader (Terre neuve: DR LEGEARD, Chow-chow DR GENEVOIS) the latter will link your radios, and will make them official. Then he will relay them to you as well as to the club. This is the one and only step to be taken. No breeder, today, can say and is legally and professionally capable of expressing the coaptation of his dog without having taken this official step. 
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We thank you for reading and wish you a pleasant visit! 
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Interesting article and detail by clicking on the button below.
Article written by our dysplasia screening veterinarian with whom we work in collaboration within the farm.  

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Mélanie and Dylan, loving and passionate breeders!  

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