Show Notes

Show #: 06-129

Show Description: "Hip Dysplasia/ Dermatology Hour by Novartis"

Audio Files: ATVR-06-129.mp3, ATVR-06-129.wma

This week Dr. Darryl Millis, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Director of Surgical Service from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, joined us for the entire first hour to discuss hip dysplasia in animals.  Dr. Millis discussed which breeds are more prone to hip dysplasia, what it is, and how to recognize the signs.  Dr. Frances Smith, President of the Board of Directors for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), called in to discuss the role the OFA plays in evaluating the condition.  For the second hour, Dr. Keith Hnilica from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine hosted another special pet dermatology segment sponsored by Novartis.  Dr. Hnilica focused on the different types of pet allergies and how they affect your pet.

Show Notes and Resources:

In-Studio Guest: Dr. Darryl Millis, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Director of Surgical Service from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

•  Hip Dysplasia is the most common orthopedic condition in dogs.  Hip Dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint and can happen in dogs as young a 4-5 months of age.  The malformation begins to force the hip out of the socket and prompts the body to try to stabilize.  The stabilization can result in the form of thicker joint capsules, etc.  The cartilage in the bones could erode down to the bone causing extensive pain.  Most cases are not diagnosed until the condition has become very painful.  Any breed can develop hip dysplasia, though giant breeds such as German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are more prone to the condition.  Hip Dysplasia also occurs in 20% of Maine Coon cats. 
• To diagnose hip dysplasia, the animal is radiographed and positioned at a certain angle for the hip to be completely visualized.  The OFA looks at the radiographs and assigns a grade score of excellent, good, or fair.  This grade is used for both medical diagnosis and for breeders to develop better standards for the highest quality of breeding.  Genetics play an important role in hip dysplasia and animals with poor results should not be bred in order to keep from passing the negative condition.  The condition can be diagnosed prior to the age of 2, but must be of 2 years of age before certifiably graded.
• Hip Dysplasia is 25-50 % genetic.  Several factors contribute to the condition, eliminating simple solutions for prevention.  Hip dysplasia is being diagnosed more frequently because science has made the condition easier to diagnose.  Also, the increased popularity of the large breeds that are more prone to hip dysplasia has resulted in a higher occurrence of the condition.
• Animals that are 5-11 months of age and refuse to go up the stairs or jump into cars may be demonstrating signs of hip dysplasia.  Be concerned if you notice any resistance to an act that requires forceful extension of hip.  Younger dogs may also “bunny-hop” (the act of using both rear limbs at the same time rather than one after another).  If your animal is due for a routine check-up, talk to your veterinarian about a hip exam.  If detected prior to a prolonged condition, surgery can be avoided. 
• Surgical treatment for younger dogs is designed to save the dog’s hip joint.  This procedure takes advantage of the growth and development of the pelvis but must be done before the animal reaches 16 weeks of age.
• Older dogs usually undergo a TPO treatment.  This is a surgical procedure that cuts through the bone and rotates the cup segment of the bone to provide better stability for the hip joint.  This helps reduce the progression of arthritis and reduce symptoms of hip dysplasia.  Once arthritis has developed, the animal must undergo a salvage procedure.
• Putting an animal on a diet will provide additional comfort for an animal in pain from hip dysplasia.  The loss of excess weight will reduce the pain significantly.  Low impact exercise reduces symptoms of arthritis and hip dysplasia.  Pain medication can also be prescribed when necessary.  Consult with your veterinarian or an orthopedic specialist to learn more about hip dysplasia. 

Call-In Guest: Dr. Frances Smith, President of the Board of Directors for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

• The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) just celebrated their 40th anniversary.  They have the largest animal health database in the world.  Once people get their dogs certified, the animal’s information then gets placed on the database for people who wish to check breeder qualifications.  Recently, the 1 millionth dog to be pelvis OFA certified was placed into the database.  The animal’s rating (if considered normal) will be programmed into the database under its registered name or number.  The ratings consist of OFA excellent, OFA good, and OFA fair.  There is also a borderline category with which the animal will be labeled if there is any question of normality in the hips.  Hip dysplasia once diagnosed is then categorized mild, moderate, or severe. 
• Three independent board certified radiologists evaluate the radiographs by breed and age.  The names of the animals and owners are classified and are unable to affect the grade.  Excellent and good ratings are sufficient to be bred.  Giant breeds that have huge gene pools and are more prone to hip dysplasia, like Labradors, should not be bred with a fair grade.  With other breeds, such as Pugs or Bulldogs, a fair grade is an acceptable grade to be bred.  The grading criteria and the parameters for what is considered normal are developed by each field’s respected colleges, such as the American College of Veterinary Cardiology for cardiac registry.  The OFA administers the data but does not set the guidelines.     
• Breeders should also be aware of the vertical pedigree and check all the animal’s family members grades prior to breeding.  Check the tendency grade of the family members to make sure that you will be able to breed the best dog possible.  In addition to the hip dysplasia database, the OFA also maintains databases for elbow, patella, soft tissue, cardiac and thyroid registry.  They certify cross-bred dogs and even cats, the Maine Coon cat in particular. 
• Also, the OFA website lists publication for better health for dogs and mating probability.  Visit the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals at www.OFFA.org.

In-Studio Guest: Dr. Keith Hnilica from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine joined us for a special dermatology hour brought to you by Novartis

• Options for allergy skin diseases include holistic, pharmaceutical, and nutritional options.  Novartis, sponsor of the dermatology segment with Dr. Hnilica, offers Atopica, a non steroidal therapy for allergic skin disease in animals.  This new technology was borrowed from the human side of medication. 
• The problem with diagnosing skin diseases is that many look similar.  For example, food allergies can look like scabies.  Signs of allergic reactions can include the licking of paws, dragging across the floor, yeast infections, rashes, repetitive itching, etc.  To decide which treatment should be used, dermatologists must evaluate the symptoms and use trial and error to see which treatment alleviates the symptoms.  Be patient and persistent during this time.  There are some clues that can help with the diagnosis.  For example, licking between the toes is primarily cause by allergies while licking the pads is usually caused by skin diseases.   
• If a dog is less than a year of age or older than five, their itchy skin problems may be a result of food allergies (especially in the winter time when fleas are relatively dormant).  Keep your pet on a food trial diet for at least 10 weeks and be consistent with what you are feeding them.  Anything that is not part of the diet could cause a huge problem and symptoms to flare up again including rawhide bones and treats.  Most food allergies in dogs are caused by beef and dairy.  One option is to check the ingredients of your pet’s food and switch to one that does not contain beef or dairy.  Keep in mind that liver will still cause problems.  Fruits and carrots are usually good treats to give to pets that have food allergies.  Many dogs with food allergies are also allergic to other things and need other treatments in addition to the specialized diet. 
• Fleas may be the cause of constant foot-licking, touching of their face, or the presence of an itchy or red bottom.  A saddle pattern over the lumbar area is typically due to fleas.  80 % of cat skin problems are due to fleas even though fleas are rarely detected in cats due to efficient grooming.  If flea treatment starts to eliminate the skin problems, then look into additional options for flea control to combat the problem completely.  If problem reoccurs in two weeks after application of flea treatment, the cause may be partial flea resistance.  Put Advantage on every two weeks until winter begins to see if this contains the problem.
• If food allergies and fleas are not the problem, your pet may have contracted scabies or have pollen allergies.  Cats are extremely frustrating in diagnosing because there are 30 diseases that produce similar symptoms.  Typically in cats, treat for fleas first.  Treat for ringworms second.  After you have ruled out fleas and ringworms, try treatments for mites and then food allergies.  If all other options have failed, begin using steroids or Novartis’s Atopica (a non-steroidal option) to help alleviate the skin problem.  Always treat infection in addition to underlying problems.  Talk to your veterinarian to discuss the best options for your pet’s specific symptoms and visit www.itchnot.com for more information on pet dermatology.

Rescue of the Week: The English Springer Rescue America, Inc. (ESRA)

• The English Springer Rescue America, Inc. (ESRA) is a national nonprofit referral and foster care purebred placement organization.  Their mission is to provide foster care and adoption referral services to humane societies, private shelters, and animal control facilities nationwide with English Springers they have impounded.  To learn more about this organization, visit www.springerrescue.org/.