hip dysplasia causes

[JFred]

I've been very hesitant to post on this subject but having seen a recent post by a DVM stating that the subject has been covered and therefore I assume, subject closed, I had to answer. After searching the archives it is obvious that many members are of the opinion that the single determining factor for the existence of hip dysplasia is genetic. I was of the same opinion after what I thought was thorough research before purchasing my dogs.

The breeder was adament about genetics, nutrition and over exercize being equally as important in the development of dysplasia. I disagreed totally. After all, everything I read coming from OFA was that we were making progress. Now I don't think so. After lengthy conversations with a Vet who does PEN HIP and reading both of Dr. Billinghursts books, I found they agreed on the causes and they are,
1. genetics
2. nutrition
3. exercise
4. all of the above

This question appears on a Vets license exam as above. The correct answer is #4. Vets have become more knowledgable and can better interpet films. The bad ones aren't sent in. Therefore the numbers appear to be better and I'm quoting more than one Vet.

Studies at Penn State showed that dysplasia could be eliminated in 3 generations using PENN HIP and breeding ONLY for good hips. The only problem was that the dogs resembled Greyhounds. That's a direct quote.

I'm not trying to say that we should breed dysplastic dogs. Just that we should consider this information with an open mind. Do your own reseach and I would love to hear your opinion but don't rely on ONLY OFA articles. In the meantime, I'm feeding strictly BARF and attempting to prevent over exercise.

Short of death I don't belive there is anything more painful than hearing that the beautiful dog you've loved and had such high hopes for is dysplastic. We can't prevent it if we don't know what causes it.

Good luck to all
Sue Tolley

[Carol Burke]

Excellent post, Sue. I am feeding barf also in the hopes that it will help develop better structure. Exercise is another misunderstood subject and I think Billingsley nailed it when he said 'Puppies should only exercise by playing with their littermates'. Many new owners are under the impression that Rotties need to be walked for miles from puppyhood on up and this is wrong and dangerous to their developing bodies.

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[JFred]

Thanks Carol. I have a huge problem with one of my girls because her non-forced exercise is too much. She's wired to the max and is always in motion. Usually 3ft in the air. We have 3 to do the dreaded 2 yr. films this year. It's going to be interesting. I think I'll do penn hip and forget about ofa. I realise that will restrict some of the showing I'll be able to do and that I won't be able to belong to most of the clubs but that's what my instincts are at this point.

These 3 girls will stay here regardless of the film results. They're a handful but what a joy they are.

Sue Tolley

[Nancy Estes]

I agree, too, that all the factors mentioned play a part but I think genetics is the most important. In the 1980's I had 3 litters out of OFA Good to Good that produced one Mild, 1 Fair and 5 Excellents & the others all Good. Way before the BARF diet trend, these puppies were all fed commercial dog food (Science Diet, Eukanuba, etc.) with no supplementation. They were limited to play as puppies only with each other or with their dam. The one that did not OFA fractured her canon bone at 5-1/2 months. Whether or not that had anything to do with her not OFAing I don't know. Two of the Excellents played very, very rough with each other and neither was permanently injured with only one incidence of minor lameness.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[czechrott]

I'm going to side with the genetic causes as being the majority factor. Fred Lanting conducted extensive research into the hip dysplasia problem, and authored a book about his research [Canine Hip Dysplasia & other Orthop. problems]. He is of the opinion that genetics play the major role in the disease, and that environmental factors are responsible for aggrevating a pre-existing condition.

[JFred]

I hope those of you who believe that genetics play the most important role are correct. 2 of my girls have good to good parents and several generations as well. We have 20 acres fenced, and I believe that for several months they over exercised by being allowed to run and play at will. We've been feeding BARF and attepting to limit exercise for approx.7 mos. As I said it will be an interesting year. Wish me luck!

Sue Tolley

[Orville Story]

[quote]Originally posted by JFred:

Studies at Penn State showed that dysplasia could be eliminated in 3 generations using PENN HIP and breeding ONLY for good hips. The only problem was that the dogs resembled Greyhounds. That's a direct quote.

If you look from the top down on a Greyhound you will find that they are shaped in a wedge with a narrow front and a wide rear. Dogs that are shaped just the opposite with a wide front, and narrow rear have larger problems with hips. Now a Rottie should not any way appear like a greyhound, but it is my beliefe that Rotties with strong wide rears have better hips. Another indication of this is the better the hips the more the dog uses the rear for movement. When I say "better" this includes the angulation as well as how the joint fits. So Rotties with more massive rears in general will have better hips that Rotties with more massive fronts. So moving our dogs slightly towards the wedge shape of a Greyhound is not all that bad.

[JFred]

Orville,
I neglected to say that the studies were done on German Shepherds. Frankly I forgot,but I got the impression from the Vet that it would apply to any breed.

Let me apologize to everyone. I had not been on line for a few days and didn't scroll down far enough to see the post on "hips" that was quite lengthy. Perhaps my timing was a bit off. I do value your opinions very much and thank you for taking the time to reply.

Orville if you're correct about the broad hips I'll be okay on at least one of my girls. She looks like a Jeneck's puppy.

Sue Tolley