Page 78 - The Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Worldwide Magazine

Dog selection in controlled and without radiographic evidence of CHD in
breeding programs the standard ventro-dorsal view at 6 months of

With the orthopedic evaluation and the age would have normal or dysplastic hip joint at
1 year of age and later. The key points to predict
radiographic findings obtained at 6 months
HEALTH of age it is possible to detect an already the evolution of an apparently normal hip joint
at 6 months of age are the evaluation of the
established CHD and to advise the
breeder not to include affected dogs in
the anesthetized dog and the distraction index
breeding programs. The most important reduction and subluxation angles measured in
achievement is the possibility to predict the (DI) measured in the distracted ventro-dorsal
probability that a dog without clinical signs radiographic view.

CHD SCORING SYSTEMS

The FCI scoring system

FCI is the umbrella organization of more than
80 national kennel authorities located in most
European countries, Russia, South America, and
Asia. The scientific committee of FCI proposes
a 5 grades scoring system from A, reflecting WCorgi HD A WCorgi HD B
a normal hip joint, to E, indicating severe hip
dysplasia. Grades are defined descriptively
based on the size of Norberg angle (NA),
degree of subluxation, shape and depth of
the acetabulum and signs of secondary joint
disease. Radiographic evaluation of the hip
joints has been mandatory for breeding dogs in
many western countries in the last 40 years.

Dogs must be at least 1 year of age for
official scoring. Hips are usually scored by a WCorgi HD C-D WCorgi HD D-E
single scrutineer per breed club. Dogs scoring
moderate or severe are banned from breeding • X-ray Corgi HD A: The femoral head and the acetabulum are
in most countries. congruent. The craniolateral acetabular rim appears sharp and
slightly rounded. The joint space is narrow and even.
The FCI classification is based on radiological • X-ray Corgi HD B: The femoral head and the acetabulum are
features noted on a radiograph taken with the slightly incongruent.
hind limbs extended of dogs between 1 and • X-ray Corgi C / D: There is obvious incongruity between the
2 years of age. It is as objective as possible. It femoral head and the acetabulum with subluxation with slight
may be adopted for older dogs, but secondary flattening of the craniolateral acetabular rim. Slight signs of
arthrotic changes have then to be judged osteoarthrosis on the cranial, caudal, or dorsal acetabular edge or
on the femoral head and neck may be present.
according to the age of the dog. Final grading is • X-ray Corgi D / E: Major dysplastic changes of the hip joints, distinct
based on the worst hip joint. The publication of subluxation present. Obvious flattenting of the cranial acetabular
the results depends on the bye-laws established edge, deformation of the femoral head (mushroom shaped) and
by the individual breed clubs. major osteoarthritic changes on the femoral neck are present.

78 | The Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Worldwide Magazine