I would like to understand how the below mentioned conditions were diagnosed if you have or have had a dog that had any of the conditions . ( whether it was just a physical examination or more invasive tests )

1.  Hip Dysplacia
2. Elbow Dysplacia
3. Luxating Patella

Thanks
Lucy

Xray to confirm what had either been seen in gait or felt during physical examination, never had a problem with any of them.

HD, as Rhodach, gait, examination & Xray. Otto also donated blood to an orthopedic specialist undertaking research.

1 & 2 x-ray, anything other is a 'guess' and not all poor hips are caused by HD... although symptoms may be the same..... I believe a vet can feel luxating patellas.......

Only ever had a dog with HD, not ED or LP. That was diagnosed by hip scoring so x-rays and plates sent off, scored 48/48. Note he had NO problems when scored, so result was a total surprise and he had no problems until 6 years of age.

Badly luxating patellae though you can spot just by watching the dog walk. Remember that Welsh terrier at Crufts a decade or so ago?! Not to mention all the numerous Jack Russells you see everywhere. You can also easily learn to feel badly luxating ones yourself, it's the minor ones that you need a vet for. Great shame there is no official scheme.

So would you think having am arthroscopy for ED seems a rather invasive procedure to diagnose the ED as I thought it was.

I can accept the luxating patella can be diagnosed by manipulation but I do think HD should be confirmed by an X-ray.

My first gsd had hd diagnosed by xray fortunately after s
ome apparent discomfort as aa pup hence xray no more problems. I thought ed was diiagnosed in a similar way. Can imagine if dog not responding to  painkillers I guess A vet could decided on arthroscopy for further investigation

I would have expected more than just investigation though , more around if it is an invasive proceedure then some sort of treatment as well.

True ! Unless there was no ed which would be very odd having done that much investigation. Do u know what treament if any bales had for any of the supposed conditions

Yes we are just looking at the history with my vet and he was surprised about the ED treatment.

We are not overly concerned as since he has been with us with the raw diet and the type of excercise he has been getting his overall fitness and muscle tone has improved so much.

The problem we wil have though it that he is such a large rangey lad I think he will definitely have problems when he gets older but we accept that as we took him on knowing he had problems although the ED was not mentioned !

He is having what he deserves a loving family who are doing the best for him. Hopinng he won't have too many problems and imo raw diet will help him considerably

> luxating patellae ... > Great shame there is no official scheme.

So if a breed club calls for all breeding stock to be screened for luxating patella, does that mean just going along to your own vet?

My dog is on cage rest as we speak, recovering from Luxating Patella op. She was X-rayed twice, once by my vet and again by the referral specialist to see the severity of the joint.

So if a breed club calls for all breeding stock to be screened for luxating patella, does that mean just going along to your own vet?

Yes, that's all we can do. My mentor in Papillons gets her vet to write certificates for all her dogs (and even pups she sells) to state they have been examined and he has found no signs of PL. (Microchip number and pedigree name stated of course.) Personally I so far have only had my vet manipulate my dogs and not put anything in writing but I am thinking I should start to ask for it in writing as well.

> Personally I so far have only had my vet manipulate my dogs and not put anything in writing but I am thinking I should start to ask for it in writing as well.

Sounds like a good idea, I'll look into it.

> Great shame there is no official scheme.

I wonder why, as they do in US grade Patellas, a bitch I sent over to US not only had hip elbows, patellas and eyes done but kidney function tested by blood and urinalysis, all with certification

Elbow displasia

Pup was limping, not much felt by vet when feeling legs, vet prescribed metecam.
Limp still present, returned to vet with video footage of limp (as limp always vanished at vets). Vet felt leg, but it was really hard to get a reaction from Buster, only the tiniest indication of pain when joint manupulated.

Elbow displasia suspected as a possible cause, but xrays needed to be taken to make sure.

Xrays taken & sent to specialist.

Specialist diagnosed elbow displasia (UAP) in one elbow, from xrays.