Health
|
Gordon Setters are usually quite healthy dogs and with a good diet, and appropriate exercise and care should enjoy a healthy life to 10-14 years. The following is some information on conditions that can occur in Gordons as well as other breeds.
The Gordon Setter Club of NSW encourages all breeders to use screening schemes that are relevant to the breed such as Hip and Elbow x-raying and scoring and colour testing of dogs who are possible carriers of the liver or red gene. The Club is in the process of compiling a REGISTER OF HEALTH AND OTHER INHERITED CONDITIONS which will be displayed on this website.
To submit results please click here to download the form. To view reults please click here.
|
Hip (and Elbow) Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia (HD) is the malformation of the development of one or both ball and socket joints in the hip. The hip joint is composed of the socket, which is formed by the bones of the pelvis, and the "ball" (head) of the thigh bone (femur). Normally, this joint is very tight fitting, however if suffering from dysplasia there will be too much movement in the joint resulting in wear of the joint resulting in pain and lameness.
The degree of hip dysplasia present is indicated by a score assigned to each hip. Using the BVA/AVA system the hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of nine aspects of the X-rays of both hip joints. The minimum hip score is 0 and the maximum is 106 (53 for each hip). The lower the score the less the degree of hip dysplasia present. In the UK an average (or mean) score is calculated for each breed scored under the scheme and advice for breeders is to use only breeding stock with scores well below the breed mean score.
The minimum age for hip scoring is one year, and each dog is only ever scored once under the scheme.
Hip (HD) and Elbow Dysplasia (ED) is a multifactoral, genetically based disease which is greatly influenced by environmental factors. The modes of inheritance of HD and ED are complex and the degenerative changes occur with growth if the unfavorable genetic and environmental factors are present. Due to this complexity, normal hipped/elbowed dogs can produce offspring with all degrees of dysplasia and dysplastic dogs can produce normal offspring.
The Gordon Setter Club of NSW encourages all breeders to X-Ray and score the hips of at least all their breeding stock. To look up the scores that have been submitted to the club click here. The lower the score per hip/elbow, the better. In Australia the breed mean score was 11.3 in 2004.
Treatment of HD is directed at the alleviation of pain, and in severe cases involves major (and expensive) surgery to replace the joint.
For more information, contact your Breeder or visit the sites below:
www.offa.org/hipgeninfo.html
www.offa.org/elbowgeninfo.html
|
Cancer
Some of our Gordons will get cancer during their lives. We don't have a genetic test nor do we know the mode of inheritance for cancer.
This is a cause of grief for many owners and causes the early deaths of far too many of our beloved animals. If your Gordon is limping, has a growth, a wound that won't heal or any unusual sign, the sooner you get to your vet's surgery to be examined the better.
Some owners choose to pursue aggressive chemotherapy for their Gordon, others pursue herbal treatments and in some cases there is little that can be done to halt or even slow down the progress of the disease. Early detection will, of course, help the odds and you and your veterinarian decide which course to choose.
Many Veterinary teaching hospitals have cancer treatment programs and outcomes are often more positive than they were in the past.
More info on cancer in your pet can be found at the following link:
Cancer and Tumors in Dogs (US Site)
|
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - More commonly known as "Bloat"
BLOAT IS AN EMERGENCY - The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation"). Stress can be a significant contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog. It is frequently reported that deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermanns are particularly at risk.
Symptoms of Bloat:
The dog may have an obviously distended stomach especially near the ribs but this is not always evident depending on the dog's body configuration.
The biggest clue is the vomiting: the pet appears highly nauseated and is retching but little is coming up. If this is seen, rush your dog to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY for stomach decompression and shock management.
Bloated dogs, once stable, should have surgery. Without surgery, the damage done inside cannot be assessed or repaired plus bloat may recur at any point, even within the next few hours. Surgery, called gastropexy, allows the stomach to be tacked into the normal position so that it may never again twist. Without gastropexy, the recurrence rate of bloat may be as high as 75%!
For more information, visit the following links:
Bloat - The Mother of All Emergencies (US site)
Bloat in Dogs (US site)
|
