Hip and elbow dysplasia are developmental, multifactorial, genetically influenced conditions that are characterized by ill-fitting or loosely-fitting hip joints and the development of secondary degenerative joint disease (arthrosis).
As hip and elbow dysplasia are developmental diseases, they usually only manifests radiologically after the age of about 6 months. There is no doubt about the fact that the tendency to develop hip and elbow dysplasia are inherited but environmental factors like excessive protein intake and excessive strenuous exercise at a very young age play a role in the degree of dysplasia that is eventually manifested.
Several scientific publications written about hip and elbow dysplasia in South Africa are available elsewhere on the web site.
The SAVA together with KUSA runs a national hip/elbow dysplasia certifying scheme according to guidelines set up by the FCI and International Elbow Working Group. The grading of a dogs (and cat’s) hips and elbows according international standards gives breeders an idea of the hip and elbow status of their dogs or cats which has to be considered when breeding these animals. Several dog breeds have specific minimum grading requirements before the dog or bitch may be bred. The radiographs taken by your veterinarian are sent to a veterinary radiologist, one of a group, appointed by the SAVA. These are veterinarians who are recognised as specialist radiologists by the SA Veterinary Council and some of them are also recognised as specialists by the European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. These radiologists give an opinion as individuals but an appeal process is in place for those owners who wish to do so. KUSA and other breed societies will only accept certificates from the members of the panel.
The panel of radiologists has a chief scrutineer who acts as liaison person between the radiologists and the SAVA as well as KUSA.
The criteria for making and submitting radiographs are very strict and are in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the international bodies. Details of the procedures can be obtained from the KUSA website, SAVA website and from the radiologist that the veterinary practice uses.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Information
- SAVA-KUSA HD ED Application Form
- SAVA HD and ED Scrutineers
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Appeals Procedure
- ED certification changes June 2019
- Publications>>
List of hip and elbow dysplasia scrutineers:
Dr S L van Staden BVSc (Hons) MMedVet (Rad) DipECVDI
VETERINARY IMAGING PARTNER
P O Box 3073 Randgate, 1763, Republic of South Africa
E-mail: vetipcontact@gmail.com
Website: www.vetip.co.za
Tel: +27 73 734 1635
Dr L Sweers BVSc (Hons) MMedVet (Diag Im) DipECVDI
Specialist Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Services
P O Box 60924, Pierre van Ryneveld, Pretoria, 0045, Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 82 410 9923
Fax: +27 86 693 9624
E-mail: drsweers@gmail.com
Dr C Le Roux BVSc (Hons) MMedVet (Diag Im) DipECVDI
516 Atterbury Road, Menlo Park, 0081, Republic of South Africa
Tel: 079 233 8494
Fax: 086 262 1529
E-mail: christelle@vetimagingspecialists.com
www.vetimagingspecialists.com
Prof R M Kirberger BVSc DVSc MMedVet (Rad) DipECVDI
516 Atterbury Road, Menlo Park, 0081, Republic of South Africa
Tel: 079 233 8494
Fax: 086 262 1529
E-mail: robert@vetimagingspecialists.com
www.vetimagingspecialists.com
Dr Sumari Dancer BSc BVSc BVSc (Hons) MMedVet (Diag Im)
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Room 4-26, 4th Floor, Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 04,
Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
Tel: 012 529 8272
Cell : 081 797 8955
Email: sumari.dancer@up.ac.za
Dr Dancer currently only reads hips and elbows for dogs done at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 12 529 8108
E-mail: Beverly.olivier@up.ac.za
Only for radiographs taken at Onderstepoort which will be read by Dr. Le Roux