Dysplasia means poor or abnormal development hence Hip Dysplasia would mean poor or abnormal development of the hip joint. It occurs most commonly in large breeds of dog and is known to be caused by either of two or both factors: inheritance and environment. A severe case can render a dog motionless, and even a mild case can cause painful arthritis in the average housedog.

It is known that inherited Hip Dysplasia is a trait controlled by several recessive, polygenic genes and dogs with cleared hips can carry the recessive genes and passed them on to their progeny. Only by screening several generations of breeding stock as well as screening litter mates from the dog to be bred can the breeder be better assured of offspring with healthy hips.

It is also know that environement may play an important factor in the development of Hip Dysplasia. Research shows that outside influences which alter and mold the gowth and functions of bones together with cartilages, ligaments, tendons and muscles play important roles. These outside influences can be overfeeding or even feeding a diet of lower quality and hence not providing all nutrional requirements at the appropriate moment, or feeding an unnapropriate diet during a puppy's rapid-growth stages...

Hip Dysplasia is only diagnosed only through x-ray examination by a veterinary radiologist. Flatcoats who either show marked evidence of hip dysplasia or marked evidence of producing offsprings with hip dysplasia should never be bred. Anyone looking for a healthy Flatcoat puppy should make certain that AT LEAST the sire and dam have their certificates of clearance.

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Elbow dysplasia as Hip Dysplasia means oor or abnormal development of the elbow joint, and large retrievers breeds are frequently affected. Elbow dysplasia is also diagnosed only through x-ray examination.

The clinical signs involve lameness, which may remain subtle for long periods of time. No one can predict what age lameness will occur in a dog due to a large number of genetic and environmental factors such as degree of severity of changes, rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, etc. Affected dogs are frequently lame or have an abnormal gait. This gait may be characterized by excessive inward deviation of the paw which raises the outside of the paw so that it receives less weight in attempts for the dog to distribute more mechanical weight on the outside (lateral) aspect of the elbow joint away from the lesions located on the inside of the joint.

While not a major problem in the Flatcoated Retriever, some are known to be affected, and affected dogs should not be bred from.

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This is a condition in which the dog's kneecap will slip out of the joint and lock the leg straight. It can be surgically corrected to reduce pain and prevent reoccurrence, but affected dogs should never be bred from. Each dog is examined awake (chemical restraint is not recommended) and classified by a veterinarian.

Bilateral involvement is most common. The most notable finding is a knock-knee (genu valgum) stance. The patella is usually reducible, and laxity of the medial collateral ligament may be evident. The medial retinacula tissues of the stiffly joint are often thickened, and the foot can often be seen to twist laterally as weight is placed on the limb. Animals appear to be affected by the time they are 5 to 6 months of age.

All breeding stock should be examined and certified clear of this condition prior to consideration for breeding.

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Hypothyroidism is a complex metabolic disease that is caused by the malfunction of the thyroid gland. Some Flatcoats may be prone to low thyroid levels, which can cause obesity, poor coat condition, hair loss, allergies and reproductive problems.

The disease has variable onset, but tends to clinically manifest itself at 2 to 5 years of age. Dogs may be clinically normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The majority of dogs that develop autoantibodies have them by 3 to 4 years of age. Development of autoantibodies to any time in the dog's life is an indication that the dog, most likely, has the genetic form of the disease.

As a result of the variable onset of the presence of autoantibodies, periodic testing will be necessary. Dogs that are negative at 1 year of age may become positive at 6 years of age. Dogs should be tested every year or two in order to be certain they have not developed the condition. Since the majority of affected dogs will have autoantibodies by 4 years of age, annual testing for the first 4 years is recommended. After that, testing every other year should suffice. Unfortunately, a negative at any one time will not guarantee that the dog will not develop thyroiditis.

Fortunately hypothyroidism is not widespread within the breed.

Cancer has become a serious problem in this breed. The age of onset appears to be about four years of age, with several forms of cancer claiming victims. Research is ongoing, and prospective puppy buyers should inquire about longevity in the lines of the puppy or dog under consideration.

There are many ocular diseases but we will present only the three that the Flatcoated Retriever Society recommends all dogs be tested for. These are Glaucoma, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Hereditary Cataracts. The bitch must always have a current valid certificate to cover the period of whelping. It is important that all stud dogs have a yearly test throughout the period of their stud work. Photocopies of the current eye certificates of both father and mother must be available to all puppy buyers.

Glaucoma is where the pressure of the aqueous humour whihtin the eyes rises to above normal levels maily due to the fluids inability into the blood stream. The retinal cells are extremely sensitive to elevations of pressure and, unless controlled, permanent blindness can occur very rapidely.

Management of glaucoma is one of the most challenging situations the veterinary ophthalmologist faces; in spite of intense efforts, many of these cases will result in blindness.

A few Flatcoats have been found with this condition over the years, so it has become a wise precaution to have all breeding stock tested.

Hereditary Cataracts

Cataract is the clouding of the lens and when taken to the extreme looks as though the pupil has been covered with a bluish or greyish film. Some cataracts in dogs are inherited. Some other are are not-inherited but caused by trauma, other ocular diseases or metabolic disease. Furthermore some cataracts are non-progressive and others are progressive and blinding. These also must be distinguished from the normal ageing process of nuclear sclerosis, which occurs in middle-aged or older animals, and has minimal effect on vision.

Hereditary cataract is not seen in this breed, but there has been proven cases of non-hereditary cataract.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is an inherited, irreversible blindness in dogs resulting from retinal degeneration. The retina is at the back of the eye. Fortunately the mode of inheritance is known. Progressive retinal atrophy has been determined to be due to simple recessive genes, so although it is at this time not seen in Flatcoats, it is very important that the breeding stock be tested regularly.

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