Swissy Health Advice

Hip Dysplasia

Within the UK and our Breed club a total score of 14 and below is accepted for breeding.  Below is a table to show across the UK, Euorpe and the US what the results are breeding.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that primarily affects large and giant breed dogs.  It is associated with abnormal joint structure and a laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and the ligaments that would normally support the joint.  As the laxity develops, the articular surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other.   This causes pain which in turn causes the affected animal to limp. The result is osteoarthritis.

Overweight dogs are more prone to the condition.  Rapid growth in puppies from 3 - 10 months can also have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia.  Exercise can also be a risk factor with over-exercised puppies showing increased incidence.
  
There is a strong genetic link between parents that have hip dysplasia and the incidence in their offspring.  For this reason the best way to prevent hip dysplasia is through selective breeding and careful monitoring of diet and exercise.

Only low scoring dogs and bitches should be used for breeding.

Elbow Dysplasia

Within the UK onlg ED Free/0 or 1 scored is accepted and recommended for breeding by the UK Kennel Club.  Within our breed club we would only breed from predominately ED Free/0, only a 1 scored specimen would be considered if that specimen was excellent in all other areas for breeding.

Elbow dysplasia is a generic term meaning arthritis in the elbow joint.  Elbow dysplasia can cause lameness in young large-breed dogs and is commonly found in both elbows. There are four developmental causes of elbow arthritis in dogs:

o    osteochondritis dessicans

o    ununited anconeal process

o    fragmented coronoid process

o    elbow incongruency

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
OCD is a condition in which a piece of cartilage becomes partially or fully detached from the surface of the elbow joint.  This results in inflammation of the lining of the joint and pain. This can  communally be caused through trauma. See further information below.

Fragmented medial coronoid process
Fragmented medial coronoid process is a condition in which a small piece of bone on the inner side of the joint has broken off of the ulna bone. This piece of bone irritates the lining of the joint and grinds off the cartilage of the adjacent humerus (similar to having a pebble in your shoe).

Ununited anconeal process 
Ununited anconeal process is a condition in which a fragment of bone on the back side of the joint has failed to unite with the ulna bone during growth.  Normally this bony process fuses with the ulna bone by 20 weeks of age.

Elbow incongruency
Elbow incongruency is a condition in which the joint does not have perfect conformation, and the cartilage of the joint wears out rapidly.  In simple terms the joint does not fit together well and the final result is progressive arthritis. 

For elbow evaluations, there are no grades for a radiographically normal elbow  The only grades involved are for abnormal elbows with radiographic changes associated with secondary degenerative joint disease.

ED - 0 (Free)

ED - 1 (Grade I Elbow Dysplasia)
Minimal bone change along anconeal process of ulna (less than 3mm).

ED - 2 (Grade II Elbow Dysplasia)
Additional bone proliferation along anconeal process (3-5 mm) and subchondral bone changes (trochlear notch sclerosis).

ED - 3 (Grade III Elbow Dysplasia)
Well developed degenerative joint disease with bone proliferation along anconeal process being greater than 5 mm.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Within the Great Swiss Mountain Dogs, they are affected sometimes, operated on but NEVER bred.

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects cartilage formation; the cartilage, due to an abnormal thickening, is unable to receive a normal supply of nutrients from the joint fluid, causing it to become weaker and more susceptible to damage.  Cartilage provides a protective gliding layer between the bones in a joint, and when it is injured and lesions form, the dog will experience pain, lameness, and arthritis.  Lesions may occur on one or both sides of the body.

In all animals, osteochondrosis can affect many different joints, but in the dog, the most common sites of disease are the shoulder, elbow, stifle or knee joint, and tarsus or hock. Generally, osteochondrosis occurs in young, large to giant breeds, although it is also seen in mixed breeds.

Clinical Signs:

• Lameness
• Pain 
• Swelling of the affected joint(s).

Description:

Osteochondrosis, or OCD, is a disease of cartilage formation that results in weakened cartilage.  Because cartilage is the contact layer between bones forming a joint, joint pain, lameness, and progressive arthritis result when the cartilage is damaged.  A form of the disease called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) occurs when a weakened layer of cartilage forms a flap that becomes elevated because of joint fluid dissecting between it and the surrounding cartilage and bone.  Mineralization can occur when the flap breaks off and floats around in the joint.  This complication, called a joint mouse, can result in a "pebble-in-the-shoe" feeling of irritation for the dog, as well as intermittent or persistent lameness.

Osteochondrosis can affect any joint, but generally, there are four commonly affected joints in the dog:

• Shoulder osteochondrosis, or shoulder OCD, causes a lesion to develop on the head of the humerus, which is the bone in the upper front leg.  Although this condition occurs while the dog is growing, some animals will not show signs of disease until they have matured fully and more advanced disease is present.  However, the majority of animals show lameness early on, between the ages of five and 10 months. generally, both shoulders are affected.  The lameness is usually one-sided and tends to improve with rest.  With exercise, though, the lameness recurs.  Pain is seen on extension of the shoulder.  The amount of arthritis present depends on the size and duration of the lesion.  Because osteochondrosis is often bilateral, it is necessary to take x-rays of both shoulders to evaluate the extent of the disease.

• Primarily occurring in large to giant breed dogs, elbow osteochondrosis is one of three diseases that are grouped under the term elbow dysplasia.  (See separate heading for Elbow Dysplasia).   With elbow osteochondrosis, the lesion is usually seen on the inside of the humerus.  Most dogs with elbow osteochondrosis are presented for lameness at less than one year of age.  As with the shoulder form of the disease, some animals may not be seen until they are much older, after the onset of significant arthritis.  The lameness may be intermittent or persistent, tending to improve with rest and worsen with activity.  Because it can be difficult to differentiate between elbow and shoulder osteochondrosis, x-rays of both joints may need to be taken.  Even with x-rays, though, it can be difficult to detect a lesion in the elbow.  Exploratory surgery may be needed in some cases before arrival at a definitive diagnosis.

• Stifle osteochondrosis, which occurs in the knee joint, affects the same breeds and types of dogs that develop shoulder and elbow osteochondrosis, but it is much less common.  Dogs with this disease usually show a slow onset of lameness that worsens with activity.  The lesion will occur on the femur, the large bone in the thigh usually on the outer part of the bone.  The degree of arthritis depends on the size and duration of the lesion.

• Tarsal or hock osteochondrosis occurs in large dogs.  Hind-limb lameness and a straight-hocked stance are the most common signs.  The joint will appear thick and will be painful on manipulation.  With this form of the disease, arthritis tends to develop more rapidly and become more severe.

Cause 

The cause of osteochondrosis is unknown, but because the disease is primarily seen in large and giant breed dogs, a genetic component is suspected.  Other factors, such as a high calorie diet, and diets that promote rapid growth, are also thought to be significant.  Trauma can also be attributed, especially if present after a known injury and only one limb is affected.

Prevention

Prevention generally includes avoiding calorie-dense diets in large to giant breed dogs. Puppies should be fed adult diets or giant breed growth formulations, and vitamin over-supplementation should be avoided.  Maintaining a lean body condition also seems to decrease the risk of osteochondrosis.  Exercise should also be moderated during the growth stages

The "Swissy Lick"

This is an entirely unscientific term to describe the sudden onset of frantic licking of anything in range such as carpet, bare floor, walls etc. and the indiscriminate eating of anything that can be swallowed such as grass, leaves, fiber from carpets etc. and gobbling up of air. It is obvious that the behavior is due to severe gastrointestinal discomfort. It sometimes can be alleviated with medications such as Digel, Gas-X or other gas and acid reducing remedies. Often, hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting will help. What exactly causes the "Swissy Lick" is a matter of discussion among Swissy owners but there seems to be no single or definite factor responsible for this condition. Any number of theories have been offered, from exessive gas pressure to acid reflux to allergic reaction to a food substance. Some believe that it is a precursor to GDV but this cannot be clearly substantiated either as many Swissys who have had these licking episodes never went on to develop GDV. While the condition appears to affect primarily young dogs, it has also been reported in older Swissys. Often, young dogs eventually will outgrow the condition.
Allergies

An allergic reaction is an unwanted side effect caused by an inappropriate response of the immune system to various substances such as pollens, mold, dust or insect bites, certain foods, drugs and chemicals. Exposure to them triggers a reaction, usually through itching, sneezing, coughing, tearing, vomiting or diarrhea. The most frequently encountered allergies in Swissys are reaction to certain types of food, flea bites and pollen. Food allergies occuring at a young age sometimes disappear, i.e. the dog outgrows the allregic reaction eventually. Becaue the cause of an allergy is often difficult and sometimes impossible to determine, allergies can be very frustrating for the owner, and patience is often the only recourse!
Cataract

This is the loss of normal transparency of the eye's lens. The opacity is usually white but may also give bluish white cast to the lens behind the pupil. A cataract can be singular or multiple, of any size or shape and may affect the entire lens. The degree of vision impairment is determinded by the size and location of the cataract within the lens. While most cataracts are considered to be inherited, some may result from trauma to the eye or from metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Congenital (present at birth) cataracts may or may not be inherited and generally do not progress to blindness. Most hereditary forms of cataract occur in dogs under the age of 5 years. Senile cataracts in older dogs are quite common and are considered to be the result of the aging process. Like any other ocular abnormality, cataracts can be confirmed by an ophthalmological exam. In general, Swissy breeders will not breed a dog with cataracts unless trauma has been clearly established as the cause of the condition.

Distichiasis

This where extra eyelashes or hairs cause irritation to the surface of the eye.  Distichiasis is sometimes hereditary.  In the Swissy in most cases, any eye specialist will confirm this, they fall out once the head breaks after 1 year.  They can regrow but DO NOT cause a problem and do not have to be removed. On the BVA/KC eye certificate sheets a Specialist will indicate which eye and how many tiny lashes some are so very fine they cannot be detected by the naked eye and in most Swissy cases these are tiny and fine, being 1 or 2 hairs.  In other breeds treatment involves removing the offending eyelashes/hairs.  The eyelashes are found growing on the margin of the eyelid and these abnormally placed eyelashes can cause irritation to the eye itself, resulting in corneal ulcers or abrasions and/or conjunctivitis.   It can cause symptoms ranging from minor to quite severe and can be extremely painful for the affected dog. 

Entropion (eyelid rolled inward)

Distichiasis (extra eyelashes or row of lashes growing from the lid margins): If present in acute clinical form, both conditions can cause irritation to and possibly damage the cornea. Signs of these defects are excessive tearing, ocular discharge and squinting. Clinical entropion and distichiasis can be very successfully corrected by surgery. While these hereditary conditions are present in Swissys, they are often so minor that they do not present any clinical evidence. This applies in particular to distichiasis. Many Swissys have extra eyelashes which are only apparent upon careful examination of the inside of the eyelids. Like with all ocular abnormalities, Swissys can be screened for these most frequently occuring defects and registered with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF).

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV (BLOAT)

Commonly called bloat and stomach torsion, this is a potentially fatal condition in which a dog's stomach distends with gas, food or fluid and then rotates and twists. The twisting action blocks both the entrance to and the extit from the stomach. Distention and twisting can occur independently of one another. But when both take place, rapid veterinary intervention is absolutely critical. Signs of GDV may include: - Abdominal swelling and tenderness - Unsuccessful attempts to vomit - Excessive drooling - Restlessness - Panting or labored breathing GDV requires immediate surgery. This entails possible removal of dead stomach tissue, repositioning of the stomach followed by stomach attachment (gastropexy) to prevent the risk of future volvulus. There are several types of stomach tacks. A popular procedure today is the belt-loop gastropexy in which a portion of the stomach is attached to a belt loop flap created in the abdominal wall. Like many other large, deep-chested breeds, Swissys are definitely prone to GDV. While the condition occurs more frequently in dogs over 5 years, it can happen at any age. To date, research on the condition has remained inconclusive, it seems to be multifactorial in nature, i.e. no single food type, ingredient or feeding method has been shown to cause GDV. Indeed, some Swissys have bloated on entirely empty stomachs. Stress may be the triggering factor under certain conditions. And while heredity is suspected by some researchers, no conclusive evidence has been produced to date. At present there are no clear cut preventives for bloat. The most important tool to prevent a fatal ending to GDV is to recognize the signs and get immediate veterinary care.

Patella Luxation

Also called slipping kneecap or popping knee, this condition is mostly inherited but may in rare cases be caused by trauma. Conditions that predispose to dislocation of the patella are a shallow groove, weak ligaments and malalignement of the tendons and musclesthat straighten the joint. The patella slips in- or outward. The signs may include difficulty straightening the knee, pain in the stifle (knee joint) and lameness. The diagnosis is confirmed by manipulating the stifle joint and pushing the kneecap in and out of position. Treatment involves surgery to deepen the groove and/or re-align the tendon. Like with other orthopedic conditions presumed to be hereditary, Swissys with non-traumatic patella luxation should not be bred.

Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE)

This is the term used by most experts to describe the condition of frequent seizures with no identifiable cause. Seizures occur when nerve cells in the brain become hyperexited and send rapid-fire messages to the body. If nerve cells in an isolated part of the brain are defective, only part of a dog's body is affected resulting in a partial seizure. Partial seizures are exhibited by localized body movements, such as head bobbing or imaginary fly-biting. If circuits throughout the entire brain misfire, the dog has a generalized seizure. Tonic-clonic seizures involve teeth gnashing, frantic thrashing of the limbs, excessive drooling and loss of bodily functions resulting in uncontrolled urination and defecation. Treatment of IE depends on the severity of the case and may involve daily administration of anticonvulsant drugs such as phenobarbital, primidone, potassium chloride and others. Unfortunately, all anticonvulsants have some undesired side effects. Some affect liver functions, others can make the dog drowsy or hyperactive or may cause vomiting and constipation. IE is present in all Swissy lines. It typically surfaces between the ages of 1 to 3 years but it can become evident as early as 12 months and as late as 5 years.Unfortunately, no method to identify carriers of epilepsy exists to date. It is only after a dog or a bitch has produced offspring with IE that we can assume that this particular sire or dam is probably a carrier of epilepsy. However, the mode of inherintance of IE is so complex that at the moment no one management method will assure complete control of the disease. Prudent Swissy breeders will not continue to breed a dog or a bitch that has produced 2 or more offspring with IE, and of course no serious breeder will ever consider breeding an affected animal. Many Swissy breeders and owners participate in the all breed DNA research project to locate the genetic marker for IE conducted currently at the University of Missouri/Columbia. We all hope that this research eventually will produce a reliable method to identify carriers of IE and thus help the breeder to better control or even erradicate this heartbreaking, unpredictable and often lethal disease.
Link to Dr.Graves on Epilepsy    Link to Hypogylcemia Can Cause Seizures in Dogs

Splenic Torsion

With this condition, the spleen rotates around its own axis, either away from or towards the stomach. The spleen then becomes engorged with blood and may expand to several times its normal size. If the spleen rotates away from the stomach it may torsion several times. As many as six revolutions have been observed. If the spleen rotates towards the stomach it may pull it along causing a partial or even complete gastric torsion, creating a very dangerous and potentially fatal situation calling for instant medical attention. Unless the stomach is involved and obvious signs of GDV are present, unfortunately the signs of splenic torsion are often quite vague and may vary from case to case. Signs may include: - Inappetence - Vomiting - Diarrhea or constipation - Low level fever - General listlessness - Tucked up abdomen, tenderness of the abdomen or slight abdominal distention - Pale gums Splenic torsion is a life-threatening condition which requires immediate veterinary care. In a surgical procedure called splenectomy, the spleen is removed. Often, a gastropexy (stomach tack) is performed at the same time if the animal's conditions allows this additional procedure. The causes of splenic torsion are not known. Like with GDV, the condition seems to primarily affect large deep-chested breeds. In Swissys, dogs over the age of 5 years appear to have a higher incidence, however, quite a few cases of younger Swissys have been reported. For the GSMD, splenic torsion unfortunately is one of the major health problems. Indeed, many breeders believe that probably a significant number of dogs that supposedly died of GDV but were not necropsied after their death, actually might have succumbed to splenic torsion. As with GDV, the most important tool to prevent a fatal ending to splenic torsion is to recognize the signs and get immediate veterinary care. Remember, splenic torsion will kill if not recognized in time to perform life-saving surgery.

Cancer

Age is the most important risk factor for the development of cancer in dogs, for it is the aging that permits the long-term events leading to tumor development and progression to occur. For most tumor types, the risk for cancer increases with increased age. There are many types of cancer occurring in dogs such as: various types of skin tumors or carcinomas - tumors of the bone such as osteosarcoma - tumors of the lymphoid tissues such as lymphosarcoma - tumors derived from blood vessel such as hemangiosarcoma. To date, Swissys do not appear to be predisposed to a certain form of cancer. And although a few cases of cancer in young dogs have been reported, so far it is clearly the older population that is subject to the various forms of cancer.