Health
Issues
The Bracco Italiano Society
has started a Health Fund, to enable research into health issues affecting the
breed. Initially this fund is being utilised to cover post mortem examination
of those dogs which die of suspected kidney problems. If you wish to donate to
the health fund please contact the treasurer or any committee member.
Update February
2011To
download the latest update on kidney problems from the Health Committee
please click here.  
To download the BIS information sheet on
kidney problems within the breed please click here.
To download a kidney
problem reporting form please click here.
To download the
2008/9 Breed Health Report please click the link.
MUSCULO
SKELETAL PROBLEMSGeneral
Guidelines The
Bracco is a big dog. Particularly in the first year of its life it is easy to
let a large friendly pup do too much. Discipline yourself! - limit exercise to
short walks where the dog gets a chance to socialize and experience new things.
Eight hours alone on the moors with you needs to wait until your dog is a bit
older and stronger!. Avoid stairs, jumping distances and anything which may damage
those soft bones and delicate cartilage until the dog is at least 12 months old.
Bendy
Legs There
have been some occurrences of the front legs of some puppies bowing, and it would
appear that they do straighten out satisfactorily. However, we do know that the
condition does exist in Italy and has also been experienced elsewhere on the Continent.
It doesn't appear to be a hereditary factor, rather a trait particular to Bracchi,
showing itself in 10% of puppies in varying degrees. It is currently felt that
restricted exercise for puppies must remain a priority for this fast growing,
large boned breed. It is an area that the Society will continue to make strenuous
efforts to find out more about. Hip
Dysplasia (HD) It
would appear so far that Bracchi have reasonable hips, but it is important that
any dog being used for breeding (as per the Code of Ethics) is hip scored. This
means that after the age of 12 months they are taken to the vet and have a general
anaesthetic and their Kennel Club registration number is placed on the x-ray for
identification purposes. The x-ray is then sent off to the Kennel Club/British
Veterinary Association (KC/BVA) Hip Dysplasia scrutiny scheme. They will assess
the x-ray on nine separate points for both right and left hips then give a score.
The maximum per hip is 53 and the lower the score, the better the result. (see
example below) If you have a bitch it is important to have the x-ray done about
two or three months after a season.
Currently the Bracchi have an average score of about 15.6, our lowest being 2:2 = 4/106 and
the highest 39:40 = 79/106.
In addition to the Kennel Club Registration number being displayed on the X-ray,
it is recommended that the Tattoo number or Microchip number as appropriate, also
be placed to confirm the identity of the specific dog. This is a requirement in
some overseas countries and will ensure 100% accuracy in identifying the particular
dogs being hip scored. Once
the hips have been X-rayed it is CRITICAL that all plates should be sent for scoring,
as failure to do so - because you can see they are poor, will result in artificially
low averages and an inaccurate picture being built up.
GENERAL
INFORMATIONEars
These
large ears need regular and careful attention to cleaning in order to avoid unnecessary
infection. Eyes
The Code
of Ethics requires all owners of Bracchi who intend breeding, to ensure their
dog or bitch has been eye tested within the previous 12 months. Thankfully in
our breed, so far as we are currently aware, we do not have any of the major eye
diseases, but we do know that Entropian and Ectropian exist, as well as occasional
Cherry Eye. As Ectropian may occur at differing ages, it is important that we
endeavour to keep track of any occurrences in order to avoid breeding from that
stock, as well as keeping a note of infected stock.
There have
been two reports of Glaucoma in the breed. The committee are investigating these reports and will update
when they have more information regarding this. There has also been one
confirmed case of cataracts, again the committee will monitor the situation. Allergies
Unfortunately
skin allergies are becoming more common in all breeds and no-one quite knows exactly
why, though there are lots of theories. My own dog Lucca had a bad allergy to
grass pollen during his first summer which was confirmed on patch testing. Unlike
human patch testing this is actually quite a useful investigation. I kept it under
control with steroids, antihistamines and Fatty acids added to his food. Fortunately
subsequent years' pollens have not affected him nearly so badly. Skin
rashes, sore eyes and scratching are particularly unpleasant for a dog. When a
friend's Bracco suddenly developed something similar we were able to pool information
and advise, for example which drugs had worked best. At
the end of the day it is the dogs that benefit.
Temperament Most
of us are attracted to the Bracco by their lovely easy going temperament. However
even the most level headed dog needs exposure to lots of experiences as he grows
up. The Bracco loves people so make the most of this - take him places, introduce
him to people, other dogs (once fully vaccinated), other animals and all sorts
of sights and sounds. There
have been some sporadic problems with shyness in young dogs and occasionally an
outward going extrovert dog may become nervous because of an experience. These
things are often unavoidable and unpredictable. There are some people within the
Bracco Italiano Society who have experience of these problems and will help. Similarly
if you think your dog is starting to show behaviour traits which may stop him
becoming an acceptable member of society ( e.g. barking, re-arranging furniture,
landscaping the garden) please seek advice. Safety
As I
said at the start - we all want to grown old alongside our dogs (not too quickly!)
Dogs like children need to be allowed to roam and run and become confident. Bracchi
however especially in their younger years are not renowned for their common sense
- the excitement of the smell coming from across the road may just be too much
for him. Load
the dice on your side - just a few bits of advice to end. Train
him - basic training (heel, sit and stay) is with everyone's capability. Identify
your dog - tattoo or microchip Training
to the whistle is invaluable Let
him run free but only where there is no chance of him getting near the road. -
remember he runs faster than you!
Please
think seriously about Insurance Cover to cover Vets Bills and Third Party Liability.
If you leave him alone check there isn't anything around he might eat and later
regret or that you might.
Please help us keep the Bracco the healthy, great character he is by sharing your
experiences. Ros
Roden/Jonathan Shaw Elbow
Dysplasia
August 2006
As
some of you will now be aware two puppies from a recent litter have been diagnosed
with a form of elbow dysplasia. As a breeder and member of the Bracco Italiano
Society I feel that it is important to make details of this available to all members
and owners of Bracchi. It appears that this could be linked to the 'bendy legs'
issue that has been around in the breed for several years. Below is a short description
of the form of dysplasia being treated at the moment. There
are 4 types of disease associated with abnormal development of the elbow joint
in puppies :-
1. Fragmented medial coronoid process. 2.
OCD of the medial humeral condyle. 3.
Ununited anconeal process. 4.
Incongruity of the elbow joint.
The
condition we are dealing with is UNUNITED ANCONEAL PROCESS UAP
is commonly referred to as elbow dysplasia or non fusion of the elbow joint. It
is a condition caused by a faulty union of the anconeal process (one of the elbow
bones) with the ulna.
The
loose fragment of bone sets up an irritation in the elbow joint. This first becomes
noticeable at about 5 - 6 months of age. The dog will display intermittent lameness
and you will notice a thickening on the outside of one or both elbow joints and
the feet and pasterns will turn outwards.
This condition can only be diagnosed
by an x-ray being taken of the elbow joint. The most effective treatment is surgical
removal of the loose piece of bone, although some specialists now prefer to screw
the loose piece of bone into place to help normal bone growth.
The cause of
elbow dysplasia is not fully understood. Certainly there is a complex genetic
basis and it is likely that several different genes are involved. It is also likely
that environmental factors (exercise, growth rate, nutrition) play a role. As
this condition has never been reported by any breeder before we are at a loss
as to where the genetic link comes from. Both parents of the affected puppies
appear normal but will now undergo x-rays on the elbows to see if any link can
be found. It may be felt necessary in the future to screen all breeding stock
for elbow dysplasia in the same way we do for hip dysplasia. If
you have any prior knowledge of this problem in Bracchi but have not made it known
I would welcome your input to try and prevent the condition becoming more common.
Also if you want more information or have anything to add please e mail me at
braccanza@aol.com Thanks,
Jan
Hayward
UPDATE MAY 2010 There has been a
third reported instance of UAP in a Bracco, the owners of all siblings have
been informed. This condition is currently being treated using the most up
to date surgical method (ulnar osteotomy). If you have any queries regarding
this please contact any of the Health Committee members
BRACCO ITALAINO SOCIETY BREED
HEALTH SURVEY
The objectives
of this survey aim to provide data which will enable:
-
All members of the BIS.
-
The Kennel club.
-
The BVA.
To provide a
pro-active system that will forge a way forward in promoting and maintaining
the health and well-being of the Bracco Italiano in the United Kingdom.
Your
participation in this survey is essential in order to identify the frequency
of occurrence of health related diseases and conditions in the Bracco
Italiano.
Please
coordinate your efforts with co-owners and breeders in order to reduce
duplicate submissions. Thank you for your participation in this most
important survey which is available at any time from the BIS website, Health
coordinator and sub committee. If submitting an updated survey, in order to
avoid duplication of results please mark the top of the survey DUPLICATE and
clearly indicate which items are new.
If you have any
further questions, please contact:
Mechelle Jacques:
Health coordinator For the BIS
admin@bracco-italiano.co.uk
Beth Derrett
Lauren Carr
Jo Norman
Dorne Carr
Personal and
pedigree information will not be released without prior consultation. If you
intend to send any pedigree information it will be expended for the benefit
of the health and well being of the Bracco Italiano ONLY.
Please complete
the health survey and forward to:
Mrs
Mechelle Jacques, The Stables, Blackfyne Farm, Durham Road, Blackhill,
Consett, Co. Durham, DH8 5TN Tel: 0845 0526710
admin@bracco-italiano.co.uk
Please complete the survey if you would like to keep the Society informed
of any health issues affecting your dogs. Click the icon on the right to
download a questionnaire.
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