Articles about American Pit Bull Terrier
Health Testing of the dogs
PennHIP ~ A radiographic method of measuring a dog's passive hip laxity (looseness of the joint). The dog is given a Distraction Index (DI) number between 0 and 1. A DI closer to 0 would mean little or no joint laxity and less likelihood of developing Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). The closer DI is to 1 the more laxity and therefore greater CHD susceptibility. This can be performed on dogs aged 4 months and up. This test does require anesthesia. Developed by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. PennHIP's mission is to develop and apply evidence-based technology to direct appropriate breeding strategies aimed at reducing frequency and severity the osteoarthritis of canine hip dysplasia. The beneficiaries of this effort will be the many dogs who suffer from this controllable genetic disease and, of course, the dogs' owners. OFA ~ The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals, Inc. A private non-profit foundation formed in 1966 to collate and disseminate information concerning orthopedic and genetic diseases of animal, to advise, encourage and establish control programs to lower the incidence of orthopedic and genetic diseases and to encourage and finance research in orthopedic and genetic disease in animals. OFA Hips ~ Owners can submit hip x-rays to the OFA and have them evaluated for Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). The OFA gives them a category of Excellent, Good, Fair (these 3 are normal hips) or Borderline, Mild Dysplasia, Moderate Dysplasia or Severe Dysplasia. Must be at least 24 months old for official certification, although preliminary evaluations are possible between 4 and 24 months. For best results this test should be done with the pet well-sedated. OFA Elbows ~ Owners can submit elbow x-rays to the OFA to be evaluated for elbow dysplasia. They receive a rating of normal or abnormal. Abnormal scores are further divided into Grade I, Grade II or Grade III. Must be at least 24 months old for official certification although preliminary evaluations are possible between 12 and 24 months. OFA Cardiac ~ Owners can have their dog examined for congenital heart disease and receive OFA certification and a breed number from OFA stating the dog is normal or affected....to continue reading this article please click on here...
