Hip Dysplasia Scheme Client Information
(Article courtesy of the NZVA Inc. and the Convenor of the Dysplasia Scheme)
Elbow Dysplasia Scheme Client Information
(Article courtesy of the NZVA Inc. and the Convenor of the Dysplasia Scheme)
Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
(Article courtesy of the NZVA Inc. and the Convenor of the Dysplasia Scheme)
Interpretation of Elbow Dysplasia Grade
Grading of elbows for elbow dysplasia is divided into five grades.
Grade 0:
No evidence of elbow dysplasia. This is the optimum grade.
B (borderline):
Subtle changes are seen on the elbow radiographs which are suggestive of elbow dysplasia but are of insufficient severity to be conclusive. A Borderline grade is a good score.
Grade 1:
Obvious osteophytes indicating arthrosis of the joint. In the high risks breeds this score currently represents a better than average score. In breeds with a low risk of osteochondrosis, a Grade 1 score is less than desirable.
As too many dogs have proved to fall into this category it was decided to split the grade into 1a and 1b. 1a is the more desirable grade.
Grade 2:
More severe arthrosis is present. A grade 2 score is a poor score, and breeding with dogs with this grade is not recommended. This recommendation is especially true in low risk breeds. Breeding from grade 2 dogs can be justified only if the dog has other genetic traits that would be advantageous to the gene pool of that breed as a whole.
Grade 3:
Severe arthrosis and we recommend that in no circumstances should these dogs be used for breeding.
Dogs that are scored either 0-0, 0-B or B-B in both elbows and are between 1-2 years of age at the time of radiography are eligible for a re-check when more than two years of age. Any dog with a score of 0-0, 0-B or B-B when older than two years old is given ACCREDITATION status (i.e. accredited free of elbow dysplasia by radiographic examination).
Statistics showing the high and low risk breeds and average scores for all breeds submitted to the panel are published from time to time in the Kennel Gazette.
Grading of elbows for elbow dysplasia is divided into five grades.
Grade 0:
No evidence of elbow dysplasia. This is the optimum grade.
B (borderline):
Subtle changes are seen on the elbow radiographs which are suggestive of elbow dysplasia but are of insufficient severity to be conclusive. A Borderline grade is a good score.
Grade 1:
Obvious osteophytes indicating arthrosis of the joint. In the high risks breeds this score currently represents a better than average score. In breeds with a low risk of osteochondrosis, a Grade 1 score is less than desirable.
As too many dogs have proved to fall into this category it was decided to split the grade into 1a and 1b. 1a is the more desirable grade.
Grade 2:
More severe arthrosis is present. A grade 2 score is a poor score, and breeding with dogs with this grade is not recommended. This recommendation is especially true in low risk breeds. Breeding from grade 2 dogs can be justified only if the dog has other genetic traits that would be advantageous to the gene pool of that breed as a whole.
Grade 3:
Severe arthrosis and we recommend that in no circumstances should these dogs be used for breeding.
Dogs that are scored either 0-0, 0-B or B-B in both elbows and are between 1-2 years of age at the time of radiography are eligible for a re-check when more than two years of age. Any dog with a score of 0-0, 0-B or B-B when older than two years old is given ACCREDITATION status (i.e. accredited free of elbow dysplasia by radiographic examination).
Statistics showing the high and low risk breeds and average scores for all breeds submitted to the panel are published from time to time in the Kennel Gazette.
NZVA Articles on Hip & Elbow Dysplasia