Background

Prior to the introduction of the first TUS breeding rules in 2005, we had not been alerted to any dogs suffering from Hip Dysplasia. However since this time and with the much needed advent of Hip testing for this condition, we have been alerted to several dogs suffering from this debilitating condition.

Causes

Hip Dysplasia and ED are genetically caused either by deformed or underdeveloped, ball and socket joints of the joint affected, this condition is hereditary. Other causes are excessive exercise in young pups (i.e. long walks, climbing stairs repeatedly) and also dietary and obesity can play their part.

Diagnosis

In severe cases it is usually fairly easy to spot Hip Dysplasia as the dog affected will move irregularly and seem to waddle from behind (sway their hips from side to side). However the severity can only be accurately diagnosed and assessed by getting the dogs BVA Hip scored. They generally will have to be anaesthetised for this procedure BUT please, please do not believe the old wives tale that Utes are more at risk under anaesthetic than other breeds, they are not!!!! They are at no more risk than any other breed of dog. Though if you still do not wish to have them anesthetized, please contact myself and I’ll give you the number of a specialist in this field who does the tests under local anaesthetic only.

There has only been one case of suspected Elbow Dysplasia and one other possible sufferer from the same Redkite litter. Therefore at this time we do not feel it necessary for all potential breeding stock to have their Elbows x-rayed too. All we ask is that you are aware of the possibility of this condition occurring and that you all closely monitor your dogs’ action/movement to ensure this is fluid and pain free.

Treatment/Cure

If a dog is found to be dysplastic, depending on the cause (i.e. obesity) and severity, either a hip replacement, weight loss, change of lifestyle or analegesics and anti-inflammatories will be suggested.

Breeding Advice

Again it goes without saying, any dog known to be significantly dysplastic should not be bred from. The BVA mean average for 2006 was 27, which we hope will have reduced to approx 14 for this year, however we are still awaiting the mean average for 2007 from the BVA and this is expected to be released in January 2008.
All dogs known to be dysplastic should be reported to myself as Breed Advisor so that we can closely monitor the lines affected and correctly advise everyone regarding potential breeding stock. A copy of all hip test results needs to be forwarded to myself as Breed Advisor to log on the database.

Again sad though it may be, I would advise that any severely dysplastic dog or bitch kept in a breeding home with numerous other sexually active adults, should be spayed/castrated and re-homed for the dog’s own benefit. Purely because though the breeder may castrate/spay the affected dog, they may still attempt to mate or other dogs may try to mate with them. This will put repeated and unnecessary weight and pressure on their already damaged hips.

Again TUS Welfare will be more than happy to assist and advise any potential owners of the care needed.

Lines known and thought to be affected

Sulin, Spotted Wolf, Recall, Redkite.

Unfortunately it is the owners ONLY who are keeping us informed re occurrences of Hip Dysplasia in their dogs!!

Though the Breeders whose lines seem to be mostly affected, are no longer registered to us, this information is vital for ALL Ute owners, therefore it saddens us that these Breeders still seem reluctant to divulge this and any other condition affecting their lines, but hopefully this will improve.

Our own TUS Breeders report any health conditions immediately that they occur, thankfully!!

Links

http://www.bva.co.uk/public/chs/chs_hip.pdf
http://www.liv.ac.uk/sath/conditions/hip_dysplasia.htm
http://www.aht.org.uk/clinics_small_dogs_hip.html