| Health and FAQ |
| Health conditions that have been found in the Icelandic Sheepdogs |
| All breeds of dogs have inherited health problems known to occur in that specific breed. Icelandic Sheepdogs are no exception. Potential owners need to familiarize themselves with the breed's health issues, so they can make informed choices. Breeders need to familiarize themselves with these health issues so they can do their best to produce healthy Icelandic Sheepdogs. |
Canine Hip Dysplasia
A degenerative malformation of the hip joint. The ball and hip socket do not fit snugly together, causing inflammation and
lameness to varying degrees.
Cataracts
A clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or fogged with steam.
This condition is happening at an abnormally young age in some lines
Cryptorchidism
A dog with one or both testicles that have not descended into the scrotum upon maturity. These dogs should not be
used for breeding.
Distichiasis
A condition in which small eyelashes abnormally grow on the inner surface or very edge of the eyelids causing varying
degrees of eye irritations.
Patellar Luxation
Dislocation of the kneecap from abnormal structure of the stifle joint, as well as muscles and tendons, causing varying
degrees of lameness
Inbreeding Coefficient
IC is a mathematical measurement of the closeness of the relationship between two dogs. The IC is expressed as a
percentage.
A degenerative malformation of the hip joint. The ball and hip socket do not fit snugly together, causing inflammation and
lameness to varying degrees.
Cataracts
A clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or fogged with steam.
This condition is happening at an abnormally young age in some lines
Cryptorchidism
A dog with one or both testicles that have not descended into the scrotum upon maturity. These dogs should not be
used for breeding.
Distichiasis
A condition in which small eyelashes abnormally grow on the inner surface or very edge of the eyelids causing varying
degrees of eye irritations.
Patellar Luxation
Dislocation of the kneecap from abnormal structure of the stifle joint, as well as muscles and tendons, causing varying
degrees of lameness
Inbreeding Coefficient
IC is a mathematical measurement of the closeness of the relationship between two dogs. The IC is expressed as a
percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the differance between OFA and PennHIP?
Answer:
There are two radiographic methods which are primarily used to identify hip dysplasia. The first, a subjective evaluation
by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has been the primary means of diagnosing hip dysplasia since 1966.
The second, an objective evaluation by the Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Project (PennHIP) is a newer, but very
promising means of diagnosis. The following discussion should help you decide which technique may be best for your
pet.
OFA 1
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals was developed in 1966 with the purpose of providing a standardized
evaluation for hip dysplasia and to serve as a database for control of hip dysplasia through selective breeding. To date
the OFA maintains the world's largest data base on hip conformation.
The OFA requires a single radiograph (x-ray) taken in a consistent manner with a number of specific technique
requirements. These radiographs are not required to be taken under anesthesia, but anesthesia is recommended in
order to obtain the best view in a relaxed position. The radiograph is then sent, along with a registration form, to the
OFA, where it will be screened immediately for proper positioning techinique. If the radiograph is not diagnostic, it is
returned to the veterinarian. Acceptable radiographs are then evaluated independently by 3 board certified veterinary
radiologistst and a consensus is derived. The hips are evaluated for subluxation (looseness of hip joint), shallow
acetabulum (the "socket" of the ball-and-socket hip joint) and signs of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). This
evaluation is most often completed within 3 weeks.
Once evaluated, the hips are reported to be in one of these three categories: Normal, Borderline or Dysplastic.
Normal - Normal hips are further categorized as "Excellent", "Good", or "Fair". All dogs over 24 months of age with
normal hips will be assigned a breed registry number and will periodically be reported to the parent breed club and the
AKC.
Borderline - OFA recommends a repeat study in 6-8 months.
Dysplastic - Dysplastic hips are further categorized as "Mild", "Moderate, or "Severe". No OFA number is assigned.
Abnormal findings are only reported to the veterinarian and the owner of record.
A dog must be 24 months old to receive an OFA number. However, preliminary studies can be done between 4 and
23 months of age. These preliminary studies are reportedly 90% accurate when compared to the follow-up studies
done at 24 months of age.
Some female dogs show subluxation when radiographed around a heat cycle. This subluxation will not be present when
the dog is no longer in a heat cycle. For this reason, the OFA recommends radiographs be performed no closer than
3-4 weeks before or after a heat cycle.
PennHIP 2
PennHIP is a scientific method to evaluate a dog for Hip Dysplasia. In 1983, Dr. Gail Smith from the University of
Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine began to actively research and develop a new scientific method for the
early diagnosis of Canine Hip Dysplasia. This research resulted in a diagnostic method capable of estimating the
susceptibility of CHD in dogs as young as sixteen weeks.
Three radiographs are typically taken in a PennHip evaluation and in order to obtain diagnostic radiographs, anesthesia
is required. In addition to the traditional "hip extended" radiograph, both a compression and distraction radiograph of
the hips are taken. This procedure allows the dog's "passive hip laxity" to be measured. This is essentially a
measurement of the looseness of the hips. Research has shown that the degree of passive hip laxity is an important
factor in determining susceptibility to development of degenerative joint disease (arthritis) later in life.
A PennHIP evaluation results in a confidential report to the owner indicating the dog's distraction index or DI. The DI
is a measure of passive hip laxity and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, with 0 being very tight hips and 1
being very loose hips. Multiple investigations have confirmed that dogs with tighter hips are less likely to develop joint
disease than dogs with loose hips. PennHIP data provides a profile for each individual breed of dog. Over 165
breeds are represented in the PennHIP database. PennHIP evaluations are currently recognized by the American
Kennel Club and in the future, DI information will be included in the AKC's Information and Health Database.
The PennHIP method can be performed on dogs as young as sixteen weeks.
Comparison of OFA and PennHIP 3
So, what should you do if you are concerned about hip dysplasia in your pet? We have listed our perception of the
advantages and disadvantages of each method as a guide to help you make decisions for your pet.
OFA Features PennHIP
One # of radiographs Three
Strongly Recommended Anesthesia Required
Subjective Evaluation Method Objective
No Breed Specific Yes
24 Months Age 16 Weeks
The most important features are the evaluation method and the age. Let's take a closer look at each of these.
Evaluation method: The OFA evaluation method is subjective. This means that it is based on the opinions of the
evaluators. The conclusions reached on an individual radiograph could vary based on different opinions of the
evaluator. OFA radiographs are evaluated by board-certified veterinary radiologists, so these opinions are indeed
"expert opinions" but there still exists room for error with any subjective method of evaluation. For instance, what
specific signs are required to be present or absent in order for hips to be considered "excellent" instead of "good"? All
normal hips receive an OFA certification number, but these normal hips can range from fair to excellent. How does a
person make good breeding recommendations based on these results? We know that different breeds have different
levels of hip quality, but OFA evaluation does not specifically say how a single dog compares to other dogs within its
own breed.
The PennHIP method is objective. This means that it is based on a specific factual measurement which is not influenced
by the opinion of the person evaluating the hips. The Distraction Index (DI) is a specific, measured evaluation.
However, in order to obtain consistency, only veterinarians specifically trained in the PennHIP technique can take the
radiographs that are sent in for evaluation. The results of the PennHIP evaluation are specific for each breed. Instead
of reporting a subjective analysis such as "good" or "fair", the PennHIP results are reported as a specific number (DI)
which is ranked against all other dogs of the same breed which have been previously evaluated by PennHIP.
Therefore, you will receive a report telling you how loose your dog's hips are compared to all other dogs of the same
breed. This information is extremely valuable when trying to make breeding recommendations.
Age: The age at which we evaluate hips is important for two reasons. The earlier a breeder knows which dogs in a
litter have good or bad hips, the sooner they can decide which dogs to keep as breeding stock and which to sell as
companion animals. In addition, there are solid medical reasons to spay female dogs prior to their first heat (see
Spay/Neuter information) and this cannot be done if the dog cannot be certified until 24 months of age. Preliminary
studies can be done prior to 2 years but the predictability for breeding is not as good this early with OFA as it is with
PennHIP.
Ref.
1 All comments in the "OFA" section are taken directly from the pamphlet "Orthopedic Foundation for Animals".
2 All comments in the "PennHIP section are taken directly from the PennHIP pamphlet produced by the Synbiotics
Corporation, 3/98.
3 All comments in this section are the opinions of the doctors and staff of North Shore Veterinary Hospital.
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