Health   There are several health issues plaguing this breed.  Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, SAS, cancer...to name a few.  As responsible breeders it is our job to do the best we can to ensure we are producing healthy puppies.  Currently, there are screenings available for hips, elbows, eyes, hearts, thyroid, von Willebrand's disease and patellas.  It is our belief, that at a minimum, breeders should be testing their breeding stock against hips, elbows, eyes and heart problems.  These tests are readily available to breeders and there is no excuse for not doing them AND (just as importantly) submitting the results to OFA/OVC (and CERF) for certification AND releasing all results to the OFA database.   Here is a closer look at some of the main problems this breed is facing:   Canine Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis   Just how big of a problem is this in the Rottweiler Breed? By Doreen LePage   Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) is a congenital heart disease characterized by a fibrous ridge located below the aortic valve. Affected dogs are at risk of developing heart valve infections, congestive heart failure or sudden death. Although mildly affected dogs can live a normal lifespan, severely affected dogs live an average of 19 months. This disease is very devastating to owners and therefore has become the focus of a research project supported by the Rottweiler Health Foundation, Medallion Rottweiler Club and the AKC Canine Health Foundation.   SAS defects have been shown to be inherited in the Newfoundland breed, and is likely to be inherited in the Golden Retriever, Boxer and Rottweiler, among others. Since this is a familial defect in at least some breeds, affected dogs should not be bred. However, mildly affected dogs can be difficult to diagnose without Doppler echocardiography, an extensive test with limited availability. Therefore, there is significant interest in developing a simple blood test to screen for SAS.   We are very pleased that Dr. Kathryn Meurs agreed to work on the genetic evaluation of SAS in the Rottweiler. Her grant was submitted to the Canine Health Foundation for peer review. The grant has been approved and fully funded, thanks to a joint effort by MRC, RHF and matching funds from the AKC CKF.   There has always been a question around SAS in the Rottweiler. Is this truly a problem in the breed or are we just seeing more cases as a result of the huge population explosion the Rottweiler breed experienced in the last decade. This study should help answer that question. My feelings are, even if it is a small subpopulation that is affected, the outcome of death in severely affected dogs makes SAS something we should get a better understanding of. If we can develop a genetic screening test to eliminate the problem from our breed and spare an owner the heartbreak of loosing their dog, we have done a tremendous benefit to our dogs and their owners. I would like to close by encouraging participation in this study. Please contact Dr. Kate Meurs and provide whatever help you can. The success of this study lies in our hands. We need to generate the data and therefore need help from breeders, owners and dogs to evaluate. Thanks in advance for your help on this important project.   MURMURSMURMURS....The Mysteries of Murmurs Reprinted with permission from AKC Gazette   Hard to hear but not to fear, heart murmurs demand serious listening to ensure your dog is sound. If you veterinarian detects a heart murmur in your dog, the first questions are always, "What is a murmur and what effects will it have on my dog?" Basically, a heart murmur is an abnormal sound detected when the heart beats. The sound is caused by alterations in blood flow patterns into, through or out of the heart. A heart murmur is a signal that something has changed the normal blood flow. It does not, however, necessarily mean the change will significantly affect your dog's health.   Many people have "innocent" murmurs -- heart murmurs that are not caused by significant changes and that never lead to health problems. Although dogs can also have innocent murmurs, most are not innocent and are called pathologic. Pathologic murmurs present at puppyhood are usually caused by birth defects called congenital defects, such as subaortic stenosis (SAS) and patent doctus arteriosus (PDA). Some, but not all, birth defects of the heart are inherited.   The majority of murmurs in dogs are acquired -- that is, they are not present at birth but they develop during adulthood. Most acquired murmurs are associated with leaky heart valves. When the valve does not close tightly, blood leaks through it during the heart's contraction. The leak produces abnormal blood flow, which causes the murmur. When the valve itself is abnormal, the condition is considered primary valvular dysfunction. The most common primary valvular disease of dogs affects the mitral valve.   Secondary valvular dysfunction occurs in normal valves when the heart muscle or other supporting structures change. The most common cause is cardiomyopathy, a degeneration of the heart muscle. When this muscle becomes too thick, too thin or doesn't contract normally, the valves distort, become leaky and generate a murmur. Although the likelihood is great that a murmur is pathologic and not innocent, pathologic murmurs are not necessarily severe, life-threatening or even significant. Unfortunately, simply listening to a dog's heart cannot help one differentiate between an innocent or a pathologic murmur. Special tests are needed to determine what a murmur means for the health of the dog.   Any diagnostic tests to look at the heart must be performed on a moving target because, unlike any other organ, the heart is always beating, and thus always moving. Although vets may recommend a chest x-ray when a new murmur is detected, results of x-rays cannot differentiate between an innocent or pathologic murmur, nor can they differentiate between primary valvular disease, cardiomyopathy or heart disease. Without an exact diagnosis, designing a treatment protocol, predicting the prognosis and identifying healthy breeding stock are little more than guesses.   Cardiac ultrasound is the most efficient and least invasive test that can usually reveal information to determine the diagnosis, severity, treatment plan, prognosis and heritability. Ultrasound examines the entire heart while it works. Measurements taken during different stages of contraction and filling reveal how well or poorly the heart works, and where the murmur is being generated. More subtle abnormalities or more complex defects may require more difficult tests.   One of the most frustrating challenges concerning murmurs is accurate detection. Many factors determine whether or not a murmur will be detected. First and foremost is the vet's skill. Like all other talents, detecting heart murmurs requires special skill and experience. Very loud murmurs are no problem for most vets, but soft, subtle murmurs are easily missed. Even moderate murmurs may go undetected by some vets, particularly if the pup or dog is squirmy, breathing hard or panting.   Patience is invaluable under less-than-ideal circumstances. Breath sounds can be mistaken for murmurs if the vet is not careful or is not highly skilled at listening. Background noise, such as barking, fans, ringing phones, music and conversation can hinder the detection of murmurs. Vets particularly interested in hearts, as well as those who recognize certain breeds as prone to heart disease, will spend extra time to listen comprehensively. Owners often wonder if a murmur can be significant when it is so hard to hear. The answer is a definite yes. Certain types of heart disease generate very soft murmurs. Board-certified cardiologists are the gold standard for detecting murmurs, especially in potential breeding dogs or pups. A board-certified specialist in internal medicine is a great resource if a cardiologist is unavailable. Many general practitioners are adept at detecting murmurs; however, since many vets practice in groups, having more than one vet listen to each dog may be worthwhile.   Elbow Dysplasia   UNDERSTANDING ELBOW DYSPLASIA By Dr Wendy James, BSc, DVM   Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a potentially crippling disease of dogs leading to the development of irreversible and progressive arthritis in the elbow joint. Even with early surgical intervention many dogs have chronic pain and lameness. For many veterinarians and breeders, elbow dysplasia is disease that is not only difficult to diagnose, but controversial when it comes to deciding on a dog``s suitability for breeding.   The single biggest misunderstanding when it comes to ED is that to be affected a dog must have clinical signs of lameness. Lame dogs are in fact the ““tip of the iceberg”” with the majority of dogs being asymptomatic carriers, which has caused the disease to spread to very high levels within certain breeds.   The Rottweiler is currently ranked #2 in breeds affected by elbow dysplasia with only 58.5% of dogs receiving a normal score from the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA). This number may even be lower considering that not all breeding dogs are x-rayed and not all OFA scores are released for statistical use.   1) What is elbow dysplasia? Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a broad term used to describe Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP), Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) and Osteochondrosis of the humeral condyle (OCD). Most Rottweilers with ED have FCP. All three of these conditions are believed to be due to a failure of endochondral ossification, which is the conversion of cartilage to bone during skeletal maturation. The end result is a weakness in the affected area leading to a flap of cartilage (OCD) or fractures of pieces of bone, which are essential to the stability of the elbow joint (UAP, FCP). The piece of bone floating in the joint is like a pebble in a shoe, causing inflammation and pain. The consequence of ED is the formation of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). DJD (arthritis /osteoarthritis) forms in a joint when there is instability in a joint or as a degenerative process with old age. As the cartilage becomes worn the underlying bone is exposed and because the cartilage cannot repair itself osteophytes (spurs) of bone form. Over time if the instability persists more bone is added leading to more arthritis.   Dogs with elbow dysplasia may have severe forelimb lameness or never show any clinical signs. There may be swelling (effusion) in the elbow joint, pain when the elbow is extended and the paw is often held with the foot rotated outwards. In a 1996 study of 55 Rottweilers followed from 3-12 months only 5% of dogs showed signs of lameness but 57% developed radiographic signs of ED by 12 months of age.   2) Diagnosis: FCP in particular can be very hard to diagnose. Unless a large fragment is visible, it is typically diagnosed by the appearance of secondary DJD, which can take weeks to months to develop. FCP can be seen as early as 7-8 months but may not be diagnosed until the films are sent for OFA evaluation. Sending the films to a Board Certified Radiologist or Surgeon can be helpful to obtain the diagnosis. 3 views of the elbow are recommended to diagnose ED (neutral lateral, hyperflexed lateral, and ventrodorsal). Hyperflexion is used for OFA evaluation because it gives the best view of the anconeal process. 50% of dogs have both joints affected so it is recommended to always x-ray both elbows. In a growing Rottweiler, ED should be one of the top diagnoses to rule out if there is lameness involving one or both front legs that does not resolve with rest.   3) OFA The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals scores elbows as normal or dysplastic (DJD I, II, III). Preliminary x-rays can be done at 12 months or 24 months for breeding dogs. A score of DJD I, II or III is based on the millimeters of arthritis found at the anconeal process. Sclerosis (increased bone density) in the area of the coronoid process is also used. Arthritis will not form in young dog with a normal elbow joint therefore an elbow that fails OFA has underlying ED.     4) What is the cause of elbow dysplasia? Textbooks can be written on this subject and there is no one single cause. Like hip dysplasia ED is multifactorial. Genetics are thought to be of primary importance in high incidence breeds such as the Chow, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (GSD), Bernese Mountain Dog and Retrievers. Conformation, body condition and trauma are other risk factors. Large puppies of high incidence breeds should be kept in lean body condition and not excessively exercised to lessen the risk. Studies are being done on hereditary pattern and found to vary between breeds and sex. 5) Genetics and Breeding The International Elbow Working Group (IEWG) was established in 1989 by a group of veterinary radiologists, clinicians and geneticists for the diagnosis, control and screening of elbow dysplasia. Their goal is an open database and to provide guidelines for breed registries on ED.   According to the IEWG the percentage of affected puppies will vary depending of the severity of DJD in the parents. The following numbers are from a study on the incidence of ED in Rottweilers:   Parent 1   Parent 2  Offspring Affected* OFA Score   OFA Score   Normal   Normal  31% Normal   Mild (DJD I) 43% Normal   Mod/Severe  48%    (DJD II/III) ED (DJDI/II/III) ED (DJDI/II/III) 56%   *offspring affected meaning % of puppies with ED   FCP has become a major threat for Berners, Retrievers, Rotties and the GSD because it has spread within the population to a high level through the breeding of carriers that have no clinical signs and are therefore assumed to be unaffected. This is supported by the percentage of affected puppies in the table above from two seemingly normal parents.  IEWG recommendations for reducing the incidence of elbow dysplasia:   *have large numbers of animals participating in screening programs *high quality films evaluated by experts *open database for easy accessibility *ideally only normal dogs used for breeding *dogs with scores of DJDII or III should not be used for breeding   Until a DNA test is available to confirm genetically predisposed dogs the only way to accurately predict the incidence of ED is by evaluating not only the parents but also entire litters. Relying on simply the absence symptoms to determine breedability is inaccurate and will lead to a further increase in ED in the breed. Many breeders have now started requiring OFA hip and elbow radiographs from all puppy buyers to better estimate the dogs affected in their program. The decision to use a DJD I dog should include evaluation of not just the parents`` OFA scores, but more importantly the scores of all littermates. For example: not breeding a DJD I dog whose parents are OFA Normal but 75% of it``s littermates are DJD II, versus breeding a DJD I dog whose parents are OFA Normal, and all its littermates are also OFA Normal. By working together breeders and veterinarians will be able to reduce the incidence of elbow dysplasia in the population by using the same scrutiny that was done in the past with hip dysplasia. Dr Wendy James is a Rottie enthusiast who was owned by 13 year old Dakota until she passed over the rainbow bridge in November. She currently practices Veterinary Medicine in Calgary and has special interests in dermatology and reproduction.   References: 1) JAVMA 1996 Oct 15;209(8):1427-30 Relationship Between Physical Signs of Elbow Dysplasia and Radiographic Score in growing Rottweilers. 2) WSAVA 2002 Congress Dr Pim Wolvekamp, DVM, PhD, Dipl ECVDI The Many Faces of Elbow Dysplasia. 3)Tufts Canine and Feline Breeding and Genetics Conference, 2005; Examining Elbow Dysplasia 4) Genetic Control of Hereditary Skeletal Diseases; WSAVA 2002 Congress; Dr H.A.W. Hazewinkel DVM, PhD, Dipl ECCS, Dipl ECVCN. 5) Orthopedic Foundation for Animals: www.offa.org/elbowinfo.html 6) International Elbow Working Group: www.iewg-vet.org/about.htm 7) Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs Dr Daniel A Degner, Dipl ACVS www.vetsurgerycentral.com/elbow_dysplasia.htm 8) Dynamic Ulna Osteotomies in Canine Elbow Dysplasia; WSAVA 2002 Congress; Dr Aldo Vezzoni Dipl ECVS 9) Projections of the Canine Elbow; WVC 2004; Dr Craig Long