Giant Schnauzer Health

What is Elbow Dysplasia (ED)?

Elbow dysplasia is a common orthopaedic problem in dogs where the elbow doesn’t develop properly.

Elbow Dysplasia simply means ‘abnormal development of the elbow’. The term includes a number of specific abnormalities that affect different sites within the joint. These cause problems by affecting the growth of the cartilage which forms the surface of the joint or the structures around it. These abnormalities are primary lesions, which then induce a secondary osteoarthritic process. The most common primary lesions are:

• Fragmented or ununited medial coronoid process (FCP)
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD or OD)
• Ununited anconeal process (UAP)

There are other, rarer, primary lesions that may occur in combination with these or on their own. Primary lesions begin early during the growth of the puppy, and are commonly present in both elbows to some extent. Once abnormal development has started with a primary lesion, further secondary changes follow, in particular, abnormal wear of the joint surfaces and osteoarthritis (sometimes termed arthrosis, or degenerative joint disease—DJD). The secondary lesions cannot be reversed and remain a potential problem for the rest of the dog’s life.

Prevalence

Elbow score statistics are monitored and breed statistics can be seen on the following link:

Elbow Grade Statistics

Age of Onset

Dogs that have clinical ED often become lame between six and 12 months of age.
Initially the lameness may be difficult to ascribe to a particular joint.

Mode of Inheritance

ED is a multifactorial disease, which means that a number of factors can influence the occurrence of the condition. The most important factor, however, is the genetic makeup of the dog. Other factors such as growth rate, diet and level of exercise may influence the severity of the disease in an individual dog, but they cannot prevent the disease or reduce the potential of the dog to pass on the disease to offspring.

Unfortunately, ED is not controlled by a single gene or a simple inheritance. It is a polygenic characteristic, which means that it is controlled by the combination of many gene variants. One way of visualising this is to think of a ‘normal’ dog as carrying a few of the gene variants that can cause elbow problems. A dog with subclinical disease will have more of these problem gene variants, and a lame animal will have a higher proportion still.

Signs & Symptoms

Most symptoms of elbow dysplasia in dogs are typically noticeable. However, some can be subtle, making the condition hard to diagnose. Dogs most often experience:

• Lameness or limping in one or both forelimbs, sometimes seen with a head bob. Most dogs will still be able to bear weight on the limb
• Swollen elbow
• Thickened joint
• Decreased range of motion
• Pain when moving the elbow
• Elbow bulges out toward the side
• Abnormal gait
• Hesitant to run or play as before

Diagnosis

A physical exam will help localize the source of pain and discomfort to the elbow before X-rays will be taken of the limb. X-rays will be taken of both front legs for comparison and an accurate diagnosis.

Sometimes, to obtain more accurate diagnostic images, your dog may need to be sedated or anesthetized.

If elbow dysplasia can’t be determined through X-rays, a CT scan or arthroscopy (scoping, using a camera called an arthroscope, to take images of the elbow joint) may be recommended.

In some cases, treatment of the condition can also occur during the arthroscopic procedure.

Prognosis

Treatment methods vary depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
Minimising trauma or additional stress to the joints by, for example, keeping your dog from jumping down from furniture or going up and down stairs may be helpful, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Drugs may be used to relieve pain and inflammation, and may promote repair processes within the joint. In some dogs, surgery to remove fragments of cartilage and bone from the joint may be advised but this may not always be appropriate. In nearly all cases there will be some secondary changes which lead to further problems in the joint, and may gradually progress throughout the dog’s life and may restrict the dog’s ability to exercise. However, most dogs will be comfortable with a fair level of exercise if treated carefully during growth between six to 18 months of age. In severe cases it may be necessary to consider more major surgery.

BVA/Elbow Dysplasia Scheme

To meet the KC Health Standard for the minimum ‘Good Practice’ breeding stock should be elbow graded.

Two radiographic views of each elbow joint are taken, this ensures examination of areas of the joint where abnormalities are commonly detected.

A grade is given for each elbow, based on the presence of primary lesions and the
size and extent of the secondary lesions. The overall grade is determined by the higher of the two individual grades.

The overall grade is used internationally as the basis for breeding advice. Ideally
dogs with ‘normal’ (grade 0) elbows should be chosen and certainly dogs with 2 or 3 arthrosis should not be used for breeding.

The ED grading system is simple:
0 = Radiographically normal
1 = Mild osteoarthritis (OA)
2 = Moderate or a primary lesion with no OA
3 = Severe OA or a primary lesion with OA

It is also useful to consider the grades of as many relatives as possible.

Where to go for Elbow Grading 

Owners should contact their veterinary surgeon and arrange an appointment for their dog to be x-rayed. The x-rays must be taken under anaesthesia or sedation.

Requirements for Elbow Grading

1. Dogs must be at least 1 year old.
2. Dogs must be identified by microchip or tattoo.
3. Registration certificate is required for KC registered dogs (non-registered and dogs from abroad can also be screened)

BVA Costs

BVA submission fees can be found on the BVA Canine Health Schemes website

There will also be additional veterinary fees for anaesthesia/sedation and taking of the x-rays, the cost of which may vary.

Publication of Results

The Kennel Club is responsible for publishing the results in the Kennel Club Breed Records Supplement, on progeny registration certificates and on the Kennel Club health results database.

Kennel Club Health Test Results Finder

Advice for Puppy Buyers

Ideally choose a breeder where there is an elbow grade history of the puppy’s parents.

Although elbow grading cannot guarantee a puppy will not develop Elbow Dysplasia, knowing the elbow grades of parents and ancestors can help reduce the risk of purchasing a puppy that may become affected later.

The overall grade is used internationally as the basis for breeding advice. Ideally
dogs with ‘normal’ (grade 0) elbows should be chosen and certainly dogs with grade 2 or 3 arthrosis should not be used for breeding.

The breeder should be happy to talk to you about the elbows and development from puppy to adult. The breeder should be able to provide information and advice on the amount of exercise, activities to avoid, appropriate nutritional requirements, growth rate and optimum body weight to help prevent a puppy from damaging their joints whilst growing and developing.

Kennel Club Health Test Result Finder

If you know the name of the puppy’s parents you can look up the elbow grade results and any other recognised KC/BVA health tests via the Kennel Club Health Test Results Finder. You may also ask the breeder to show you the elbow grade certificate, copies of which should be included in the puppy information pack.

Advice for Breeders

To meet the KC Health Standard for the minimum ‘Good Practice’ breeding stock should be elbow graded.

The minimum age for elbow grading is one year, and each dog is only ever scored once under the scheme.

The overall grade is used internationally as the basis for breeding advice. Ideally
dogs with ‘normal’ (grade 0) elbows should be chosen and certainly dogs with 2 or 3 arthrosis should not be used for breeding. The most difficult part of accepting such advice for many breeders is that some dogs have never been lame and exercise freely, but nevertheless may have high grades. This is the subclinical population with the ability to pass on the problem in the breed. For long-term control of the disease these dogs ought not to be bred from.

It is also useful to consider the grades of as many relatives as possible.

Take part in the Joint Schnauzer Breeds Health Survey

If you own a dog diagnosed with hip dysplasia, please let us know by taking part in the Joint Schnauzer Breeds Health Surveys and/or contact the Breed Health Co-ordinator.

In this way the incidence of health conditions can be monitored and any emerging problems identified.

Make a Donation to the GSHF

The purpose of the GSHF is to provide monies for research into inherited health problems in the Giant Schnauzer. All donations gratefully received.

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