South African Veterinary Association

and

Kennel Union of South Africa

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia scheme

Application for hip and/or elbow dysplasia certification

 Owners declaration

Registered name of dog:                                                              Registered number of dog:  BY

Breed:                                                      Sex:                            Date of birth: 

 NB          Copy of registration certificate to be attached to application

Name of owner:                                                       Tel:       

Address:   

I declare that:

1. the particulars stated above are correct and are of the dog submitted today for radiographic examination

2. the dog has not been previously radio graphed for certification

3. the dog has not had surgery for hip or elbow dysplasia

4. I understand that the radiographs are the property of the veterinarian making them and will be retained by him for 3 years

5. I understand that the results may be forwarded to the relevant breed society who may place the gradings on a pedigree or registration certificate

6. I understand that results may be used anonymously for research purposes

Owner’s signature:                                                                     Date:   

Veterinarians declaration

Name:                                           Tel:                                       Practice name:

Address:

I declare that:

1. The microchip or tattoo number has been verified for the above dog and is ………………………………

2. The radiographs were made on …………………………………….

3. The following general anaesthetic or sedation was used ………………………………………………………..

4. I have read and applied the guidelines for making hip and elbow radiographs for certification

Veterinarian’s Signature:                                                                                             Date:

Guidelines

1.   Hip dysplasia examination is done from 12 months except for large breeds which must be done from 18 months. Large breeds include Bullmastiff, other mastiff types, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Pyrenean Mountain Dog and St Bernard. Rottweilers are also included in this category.

2.   Elbow dysplasia radiographs can be made at the same time but can be done from 12 months in all breeds.

3.   All examined dogs must be identified by means of a microchip or tattoo number

4.   All HD/ED radiographs must at least be identified by tattoo or microchip number, dog’s registered name and date of examination by being recorded in the film emulsion for permanent and accurate identification. Left or right side markers must be included.

5.   Radiographs have to be of a satisfactory quality (correct exposure and processing). A grid is compulsory for hip radiographs to ensure the above.

6.  Views:

For hip dysplasia evaluation the standard flexed and extended views are required. For the extended view the whole pelvis and the patellas must be included in the image. (for large breeds this usually requires a 30 X 40 cm film.) Positioning must be optimal with symmetry of the pelvis (equally sized obturator foramina and ilial wings). Additionally for the extended view the femurs must be parallel to each other, the angle between the femoral necks and femoral shafts must be 135° and the patellas must be located cranially (dorsally) on the femurs. For the flexed views the femoral shafts should form an angle of 45° to the caudal lumbar vertebrae. To achieve all of the above general anaesthesia or deep sedation is required.

For elbow dysplasia a maximally flexed ML view, collimated to the elbow, is required. Do not use a grid. Both elbows can be included on one film.

7.  Radiographs that do not qualify under the above points will be returned to the veterinarian with a comment as to the reason for returning the films. An administrative fee will be charged for this.

8.   The signed (owner and veterinarian) application form as well as a copy of the dog’s registration certificate is forwarded by the veterinarian to the scrutineer of choice with the appropriate fee.

9.   Results are sent back to the veterinarian who forwards them to the owner. The owner must contact the submitting veterinarian and not the scrutineer for results.

Copies or amendments to certificates will carry an extra fee.

10.Should the owner wish to appeal the result the guidelines can be found on the KSA website at www.kusa.co.za under HD/ED documents.

11.Please note that the radiographs remain the property of the practice who made them and have to be kept by that practice for 3 years.

KUSA APPEAL PROCESS :  HIP and ELBOW DYSPLASIA GRADINGS

The submission of hip and elbow dysplasia radiographs for re-evaluation to a different scrutineer is permissible. Only the radiographs originally evaluated may be re-evaluated. No additional radiographs are to be made. The procedure is as follows:

The radiographs are submitted to scrutineer 2 and his/her normal fee is paid. The report of scrutineer 1 accompanies this request and a fcopy of the original application form (Photostat of vet’s form). If scrutineer 2 differs from scrutineer 1 the best report will be accepted. Scrutineer 1 and KUSA are informed of the result by scrutineer 2.

This procedure is above board and is acceptable to KUSA and the scrutineers.

Where an owner submits the first set of radiographs to another scrutineer or a second set to the original scrutineer without informing them that this is an appeal process, this problem is picked up by KUSA (copies of all certificates and reports are sent to KUSA). This procedure is not acceptable to KUSA. In this case, KUSA needs to ensure that there is no fraud involved and the radiographs are obtained from the vets by the Chief KUSA scrutineer for a final opinion on all the radiographs. This involves tremendous administrative effort by all concerned and a fee of R400 is payable to the scrutineer for this. If the owner does not want to follow this path then the original grading will remain.

Hip and elbow dysplasia evaluation remains a subjective opinion and gradings may differ occasionally. The grading is influenced by many factors such as radiographic quality, positioning, age of the dog, muscle mass and possibly oestrus. The objective of the scrutineers is to give a fair and unbiased opinion as to the status of the dogs hips to the best of their expert opinion (usually requires an additional 3-4 years study to become a specialist radiologist) and to minimise the possibility of transmitting unfavourable hip dysplasia genes to the offspring of the dog/bitch being evaluated.

KUSA: CHANGING THE SA HIP DYSPLASIA SCHEME TO A FCI GRADING SYSTEM

KUSA and the SA Veterinary Association, after numerous investigations and discussions have requested that South Africa change its Hip Dysplasia grading scheme to the more internationally recognized FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) system. The new system will be implemented as from January 2007. The system will also be applied to non- KUSA affiliated breeds. There are multiple implications for breeders taking dogs for hip dysplasia radiographs (X-rays) for certification. The changes, where applicable will also be for elbow dysplasia certification.

1. The FCI grading will be from A-E with 2 subdivisions for each. Attached is a table comparing old to new.

2. No pre 2007 old SA gradings will be changed to new gradings and dogs cannot be  reradiographed under the new system.

3. The various breed societies will have to adapt their breeding regulations.

4. Large breeds must be done at 18 months. All other dogs are done from 12 months of age. Large breeds include Bullmastiff, other mastiff types, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Pyrenean Mountain Dog and St Bernard. Rottweilers in SA are also done at 18 months.

5. All examined dogs must be identified by means of a microchip or tattoo number. No exceptions will be allowed.

6. Elbow dysplasia radiographs can be made at the same time. If not made together with hip radiographs, point 5 still applies. All breeds can be done at 12 months.

7. A form must be signed by the owner stating that the dog is the one as described on the certificate and that the results may be utilised as seen fit by the diagnostic body/KUSA. The veterinarian has to verify the microchip/tattoo and also sign the form. A single application form for hip and elbow dysplasia will be available on the KUSA website at www.kusa.co.za  under HD/ED documents as from December. A legible copy of the dogs pedigree certificate must be attached to the application.

8. Please note that the radiographs remain the property of the veterinary practice who made them and have to be kept by that practice for 3 years (as per the SA Veterinary Council guidelines).

9. Ensure that your veterinarian knows the requirements of the new scheme. Positioning must be optimal and to achieve this general anaesthesia or sedation is required.

10. A single certificate is issued stating the grade of hip or elbow dysplsia where applicable.

11.   Dogs may not be submitted more than once for hip or elbow dysplasia grading. Should you wish to appeal the grading, the process will be on the KUSA website at www.kusa.co.za  under HD/ED documents as from December.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR TABLE)

KUSA : FCI GRADING SCHEME

Description of grading applicable to dogs aged more than one year, provided positioning is correct and radiographic quality is optimal.

SCHEDULE 2:

APPENDIX 'C' - BREED SPECIFIC LITTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1. ALASKAN MALAMUTES

1.1 Only Alaskan Malamutes with hip scores of A1, A2, B1 or B2 may be mated to Alaskan Malamutes with hip scores of C1 or C2. Alaskan Malamutes with hip scores of A1, A2, B1 or B2 may also be mated to each other.

(The old terms in short were:  at worst 0.0 to 1.1 or 0.0 to 0.0)

1.2 All dogs are positively identified by microchip before any X-ray examination is made. The identification number is included on all developed X-ray film.

1.3 At the time of whelping, the Dam is twenty-two (22) months of age or older.

NO MATING IS ALLOWED WITH ANY DOG SHOWING SCORES OF D1, D2, E1 or E2 WHATSOEVER.