HEALTH DEFECTS

Bernese Mountain Dogs, in common with many other breeds of pedigree dogs, can be affected by some inherited and other health defects. Some conditions, especially those affecting the skeleton occur frequently in the large, heavy breeds.

HIP DYSPLASIA (HD)

This condition affects the hip joint and many breeds can be affected to some extent. The first signs usually appear between four and eight months old when the puppy may show signs of difficulty in rising from a sit or down position, or perhaps show a peculiar swaying gait with the hind legs tucked under the body in an effort to transfer the bodyweight forward to reduce discomfort. The vast majority of affected dogs lead a normal or near normal life as maturity will bring muscle development and greatly improve balance and coordination, which will compensate for joint laxity or deformity. Many dogs appear perfectly sound, and only upon x-ray examination will poor hip formation be found.

HD is thought to have a genetic component, but growth rate, exercise, feeding and general management factors are believed to play a part in the escalation or minimisation of symptoms of affected dogs. Breeders can arrange for their vet to x-ray the hips of breeding stock and the radiograph can be scored. Dogs must be over one year old at time of x-ray for the resulting radiographs to be given a score. A score ranging from 0 to 53 can be allotted to each hip giving a total out of 106. So, a dog may have an advertised hip score of 10 – 12 which is the score for each hip – or the same dog may be advertised as having a score of 22 – the total of both hip scores combined. The more points scored, the greater the measured deformity. It is impossible for any breeder to guarantee soundness in any Bernese puppy, even those bred from parents with normal hips, but breeding from sound dogs with normal growth patterns and conformation is to be encouraged. A Bernese which suffered hip lameness or inhibited movement should not be bred from.

PLEASE NOTE; There is NO absolutely definite correlation between hip score and actual physical soundness – some dogs with low scores move awkwardly whilst some with high scores are very sound. The current (2003) average published hip score for Bernese is a fraction under 16 (total score for both hip values) – and that figure may vary by a small amount from year to year. Many people believe the ACTUAL average hip score is likely to be at least double that figure – due to selective submission of mostly potentially low scoring x-ray plates for scoring.

OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSICANS (OCD) AND ELBOW DYSPLASIA (ED)

Front leg lameness in large breeds, including Bernese Mountain Dogs, is probably one of the most common health problems to cause concern amongst owners, with symptoms usually appearing in pups aged between four and eight months old. Shoulder and/or elbow joints and less commonly hocks are most likely affected by OCD, and lameness may be noted in one or both front legs. At the onset of lameness, veterinary advice is usually to rest the puppy and review general management and feeding. If the condition continues further investigation, usually by x-ray examination, can determine the extent of the problem.

Not all front leg lameness is caused by these conditions, and many heavy, large breed puppies go through an awkward growth stage when occasional bouts of lameness may accompany rapid growth spurts. Experienced breeders usually refer to this as “puppy limp” and the condition often disappears as suddenly as it came. Severely affected dogs can be helped surgically and often return to complete soundness although arthritis may affect the joint later in life. OCD and ED are thought to have a genetic component (as in HD – see above) with other factors influencing the severity or absence of symptoms. Breeders can arrange for their vet to x-ray the elbows of breeding stock and the radiographs can be scored.

Three x-rays, covering three different positions, have to be made of each elbow. Each elbow is then graded from 0 – 3, and the higher the grade number, the worse the deformity. Only the highest value (right or left) is used as the overall grade – i.e. a dog with one elbow graded 2 and the other graded 3 will be recorded as having an overall grading of 3. Bernese which have suffered from OCD or ED diagnosed lameness, even those who have undergone successful corrective surgery, should not be used for breeding.

PLEASE NOTE; There is NO absolutely definite correlation between elbow score and actual physical soundness – some dogs with low (“good”) scores move awkwardly whilst some with high (“poor”) scores are very sound.

ENTROPION

The first signs of this painful condition can appear at any time, but usually during puppyhood or adolescence. Owners usually notice a watery discharge around the dog’s eyes, and the becoming red and sore. The eyelids roll inwards, enabling the eyelashes to rub against the eye, causing intense irritation and even ulceration of the eye surface in severe cases. Left untreated, Entropion can ultimately cause blindness and temperament problems may occur due to the dog being in constant pain. Surgery can very successfully alleviate the condition, but more than one operation may be needed to compensate for the change in head and face shape as the dog matures. Entropion is an hereditary condition and affected Bernese, even those successfully relieved of symptoms by surgery, should not be bred from.

HYPOMYELINOGENESIS (Trembler)

Affected Bernese are born with a defective nervous system which cause them to tremble and shake involuntarily to a greater or lesser degree. The condition appears to continue throughout the dog’s life, and is sometimes accompanied by muscle wasting. In the majority of documented cases, the symptoms become obvious between two and twelve weeks of age, although in some Bernese, the condition has only become apparent much later. An hereditary condition, affected puppies are born to carrier dogs which may show no outward signs of the condition and appear perfectly normal. When two carrier dogs are mated together, a proportion of the resulting litter are likely to be affected, and it is only the appearance of these affected puppies that indicates the carrier status of the parents. In such a litter, approximately one quarter of the puppies will be affected by the condition, one quarter will be normal and the remaining half will, like their parents, be carriers of the defect. All reported cases of affected Bernese in the UK, to date, can be traced directly back to a single male Bernese imported from Sweden some years ago. There have been no cases reported from other unrelated bloodlines. To date, there is no known cure for this uncommon condition.

PROLONGED SOFT PALATE (Elongated Soft Palate)

The soft palate in the dog is normally a short flap of mucous membrane covered muscles which lies between the cavity of the mouth and the pharynx. Excessive panting caused by excitement, stress or hot weather can cause a prolonged soft palate to restrict the airway, so causing severe breathing difficulties or even asphyxia. Bernese deaths have been caused by this condition. Surgery to correct the defect is sometimes successful, but Bernese which have the abnormality should not be bred from as the condition is recognised as inherited.

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