AMEN!
I'm with you!! The environment can exacerbate -- but the genes need to be
there ... with the exception of caused by trauma -- indicative of
fractures/BIG injury and generally only one hip. But especially when you're
looking at 2 equally dysplastic hips ... it's genes ...
--Tracey
-------Original Message-------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 3:39:07 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List
Subject: Re: re; Innova - HATE IT!
I am very interested in the evidence you have to support those conclusion --
not personal opinion because that is always swayed by what we would like to
believe -- but some real evidence.
The OFA reports this on their website:
"Can Environment or Food Cause or Prevent HD?
No, hip dysplasia is a multiple gene, inherited disease. Environmental
factors, like high caloric diet during the rapid growth phase, may
exacerbate changes in dysplastic hips but will not create hip dysplasia."
and...
"Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic
disease in the elbow of dogs."
I believe the OFA -- they have nothing to gain or lose by telling us the
truth. On the other hand, I think breeders making excuses for bad
orthopedics is wrong, unethical and damaging to everyone involved --
including themselves. Mind you, I am not saying that is what you are doing
but I for one am rather tired of hearing excuses for bad orthopedics, and I
am especially sick of hearing it blamed on the owners (bad food, jumped off
a grooming table, jumped from the car, too much exercise, too little
exercise, on and on...). Hip and elbow dysplasia are inherited diseases, and
pretending or wishing otherwise will not make those facts go away.
Mary-Ann Bowman
Utah
.
