Hips scoring
Hip Dysplasia and scoring
Hip dysplasia is basicly a badly formed ball and socket joint in the hip which can cause arthritic changes and lamness in a dog. although not a huge problem in the Hungarian Vizsla it is present and carefull breeding & testing will ensure it remains a small risk .
In the uk the hip scoring scheme is run by th UKKC/BVA and involves an x-ray being taken of a dogs hips once he or she is aged over 12 months of age.
The xray is then examined by a panel of experts and scored in the following way-
Subluxtion - max score 6 EACH HIP
Cranial acetablular edge -max score 6 EACH HIP
Dorsal acetabular edge - max score 6 EACH HIP
Cranial effective acetabuler rim- max score 6 EACH HIP
Acetabular fossa -max score 6 EACH HIP
Caudal acetebular edge- max score 5 EACH HIP
femoral head/neck exostosis-max score 6 EACH HIP
Femoral head recontouring- max score 6 EACH HIP
perfect hips score 0/0 total 0 the worst hips score 53/53 total 106
The Vizsla average score is 12 (total for both hips) ideally all breeding stock should be below this.
Hip scoring in Hungary
In Hungary dogs are scored by the FCI at the age of 24 months plus although some breeders take prelimanary x-rays younger ,the x-rays are then examined by the approved vet evaluators and the following results awarded where appropiate.
( Excellent) HD A or 0
The femoral head fits well into the hemispheric socket (acetabulum) of the joint. Joint space is tight and even. The Norberg-angle is 105 degrees or more. There are no symptoms suggesting inflammation (arthritis) on the elements of the joint.
(“M” - good) HD B or 1
Differs only slightly from the previous category: the femoral head does not fit perfectly in the acetabulum. There are no symptoms suggesting inflammation. The Norberg-angle is between 100-105 degrees.
(“E” – fair) HD C or 2
Joint space is slightly increased, not even. The acetabulum is flatter. The femoral head is not spherical. There is mild remodelling (exostosis) on the surface of the edge of the acetabulum or on the femoral neck. The Norberg-angle is around 100 degrees.
Moderate dysplasia HD D
The fitting of the femoral head into the acetabulum is abnormal. The acetabulum is shallow. Joint space is broad. The femoral head is subluxated. There is marked remodelling in the joint. The Norberg-angle is between 90-95 degrees.
Severe dysplasia
The femoral head and neck is deformed (flattened, mushroom shaped, remodelled). The femur is subluxated or luxated. The acetabulum is flat, remodelled. Significant remodelling is visible. The Norberg angle is less than 90 degrees.
Elbow scoring
Elbows are normally scored at the same time as the hips
The grading system is quite basic there are four possible grades
0 Normal
1 Mild elbow dysplasia
2 Moderate elbow dysplasia
3 Severe Elbow Dysplasia
The over all grade is the worse given for example a dog with right elbow 1 and left elbow 0 would have an elbow score of 0