Hip Dysplasia
Understanding Hip Dysplasia and Hip Scoring

Hip Dysplasia is by definition an ill fitting hip. This can be caused by having shallow sockets, abnormal heads and necks of the femur and from excessively loose ligaments. Hip Dysplasia is a polygenetic inherited condition that is affected by environmental influences such as weight, diet and exercise, which can interact to cause rapid wear and tear of the hip joint leading to arthritic change.

Hip Dysplasia is a complex genetic and environmental problem but should be kept in its proper perspective relative to the breed as a whole. It is one genetic problem, not the only one.

X-rays are taken by your vet and are sent into AVA for grading, you receive back a certificate with their assessment.

Scoring is done on 9 different points of the hip joint anatomy and each area (apart from the caudal acetabular edge which is out of 5) is scored out of a possible 6 points. The lower the score, the better the hips. The maximum score per hip is 53, with an overall total of 106. The score is usually expressed as e.g. 0/3, where the first figure is the total score achieved in the right hip. A score of 51/48 would indicate that both hips are severely arthritic.

Bloat

CANINE BLOAT (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus) is a digestive problem caused by the excessive swallowing of air while eating, gastrointestinal secretions, and gas from fermentation of food in the stomach. This is a LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY primarily found in large or giant, deep-chested dog breeds such as the Newfoundland.

There are still many unanswered questions about this problem and a lot of research is currently investigating the problem. The following information is currently recommended:

Feed large dogs two or three times daily, rather than once a day, and at times when someone can observe after-feeding behavior. Always feed Newfoundlands from a raised feeder this helps food go down at the correct angle with less air intake and also avoids the SPLAYING of feet.

Be alert for any actions from the dog that signal abdominal discomfort. These include: evidence of abdominal fullness after meals, whining, pacing, getting up and lying down, stretching, looking at the abdomen, anxiety, and unproductive attempts to vomits. Animals showing these signs should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Establish a good working relationship with a veterinarian hospital that offers 24 hour emergency service.

Make sure water is available to dogs at all times, but limit the amount immediately after feeding if the dog appears to over-consume.

Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress one hour before and two hours after meals. Walking is permissible as it may help to stimulate normal gastrointestinal function.

Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of 3-5 days.

Feed susceptible dogs individually and, if possible, in a quiet location.

Pay special attention to these procedures after animals return home from being elsewhere.

Dogs that have survived bloat are at increased risk for future episodes. Be sure to discuss preventive surgery or medical management with the veterinarian.


Cystinuria

Cystinuria in Newfoundland Dogs
by Sharon Gwaltney DVM PhD -( Has been edited)


Cystinuria is an inherited disorder caused by a defect in the transport of cystine, an amino acid, in the kidney tubules. Normally, cystine that is filtered in the kidney is reabsorbed within the tubules, resulting in little cystine in the urine. Dogs with cystinuria do not properly reabsorb cystine (and a few other amino acids) in the kidney tubules, causing the urine to contain abnormally high levels of cystine. Cystine is insoluble in neutral pH or acidic urine, so excess urinary cystine results in formation of cystine crystals, which in turn can lead to formation of cystine calculi (stones) in the kidney and/or bladder. Because males have long, narrow urethras compared to females, irritation and blockage by calculi is much more common in the male. Males with cystinuria suffer repeated inflammations of the urinary tract and are at risk for urinary blockage, which can, if not treated promptly, lead to kidney failure, bladder rupture, and death.

Newfoundlands are not the breed most commonly associated with cystinuria, Newfoundlands are at an increased risk of developing cystine calculi formation compared to most other breeds; cystinuria in Newfoundlands is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The average age of onset of clinical signs attributable to cystinuria in other dog breeds is about 4.8 years, but in Newfoundlands, signs appear as early as 6 months to 1 year, suggesting that Newfoundlands suffer from a more severe form of the disorder than do other breeds. Recurrence of calculi following surgical removal also occurs much more rapidly in Newfoundlands than in other breeds.


Cystinuria should be suspected in young male Newfoundlands with evidence of chronic urinary problems (difficult urination, blood in urine, inability to urinate). Cystinuric bitches are often asymptomatic, and it is important that "puppy vaginitis/cystitis" (both not uncommon conditions in pre-pubertal bitches) not be mistaken for cystinuria. Pups from suspect or known carrier parents should be evaluated at an early age, as early therapeutic intervention may help reduce the formation of urinary calculi.


Cystinuria is diagnosed through the identification of characteristic crystals in the urine. Cystine can be identified in the urine as early as 2 days of age using a nitroprusside spot test or paper chromatography; either of these tests can be used to further confirm a suspected case of cystinuria. This means of testing for cystinuria requires the submission of urine, either in a vial or spotted onto filter paper. While the nitroprusside spot test will detect affected dogs, it will not determine whether an individual carries a gene for cystinuria and could therefore, if bred to another carrier or an affected dog, produce affected offspring. Until recently, the nitroprusside spot test was the only available means of testing for cystinuria.


Fortunately, thanks to the work of veterinary researcher Dr. Paula Henthorn at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, there is now a DNA test available which can determine the genetic status of individual Newfoundlands. This DNA test, requiring only a small blood sample, will be invaluable in helping Newfoundland breeders make educated decisions on breeding dogs, and it will hopefully reduce the number of Newfoundlands produced with this severe, potentially life-threatening condition.