Elbow Dysplasia Scheme for dogs

90% of vets see cases of lameness or joint pain in dogs related to elbow dysplasia on at least a monthly basis.

The Elbow Dysplasia Scheme was established by BVA and the Kennel Club in 1998 to reduce the incidence and severity of the condition. Elbow dysplasia can have serious effects on the health, behaviour and welfare of dogs. The scheme uses X-rays to screen for signs of abnormalities caused by the condition. X-rays are reviewed and scored by BVA-appointed expert veterinary surgeons. Elbow dysplasia is a significant problem in many breeds worldwide, and, although it begins in puppyhood, it can continue to affect the dog for the rest of its life.

Key features of the scheme

Find out more information on our processes, scrutineers, and quality control for the scheme.

Key features

What is canine elbow dysplasia?

Elbow dysplasia is a common inherited orthopaedic problem in dogs where the elbow doesn’t develop properly.

Elbow dysplasia includes a number of specific abnormalities or problems that affect different areas of the elbow joint. These cause problems by affecting the growth of the cartilage which forms the surface of the joint or the structures around it. Even a small change in the shape of one part of the joint can have major consequences for the joint function, leading to lameness (unable to walk correctly), osteoarthritis (a common form of arthritis), pain and serious effects on the health, behaviour and welfare of the dog.

For more in-depth information on elbow dysplasia download our leaflet.

What are the signs?

Signs of elbow dysplasia in dogs vary between individuals and breeds. Some visible signs include:

Decreased range of motion
Limping
Unwilling to exercise
Unusual movement after rest or exercise
Groaning while resting or getting up
Signs of pain when moving the elbow

A vet's physical examination will provide a more reliable assessment and radiography is the only way of determining whether a dog has elbow dysplasia.

How to treat it?

Treatment methods vary depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Non-surgical treatment can involve weight restriction and exercise control. Drugs may be used to relieve pain and inflammation. In some dogs, surgery and/or physiotherapy may be advised.

For vets

For breeders

For owners

For vets

Elbow scheme update

Turnaround times

We aim to have a one to two week turnaround following payment for online submissions made on the CHS portal.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Health and safety for vets

The veterinary surgeon certifying the submission must ensure that the hip and elbow Procedure Rules and Regulations are understood and followed. This includes working in accordance with the current Ionising Radiations Regulations when radiographing dogs - more information on this can be found on page 2, point 4 of the procedure Rules and Regulations.

Please make sure that you and your team involved in making submissions to the schemes familiarise yourselves with the following:

About the scheme

The Elbow Dysplasia Scheme uses radiology to screen for abnormalities in the elbow joints. The radiographs are reviewed by BVA appointed Scrutineers and a grade is recorded. The grades can then be used by breeders to make informed breeding decisions.

The Scheme is open to all dogs and breeds including crossbreeds, unrecognised breeds, and dogs not registered with the Kennel Club. To find out more about elbow dysplasia, please read our elbow dysplasia leaflet.

How to make a submission

Before making a submission to the Elbow Dysplasia Scheme please read the Procedure Rules and Regulations explaining the requirements and procedure for radiography.

A single submission to the Elbow Scheme starts from £73.50 (inc. VAT). A full breakdown of costs and offers can be found on our Submissions Fees page.

We have a grading session each week where two expert scrutineers review the radiographs.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Positioning

When submitting to the Canine Health Schemes, a standard position for radiography should be followed.

To ensure correct positioning please watch our comprehensive how-to guide for radiographic positioning for the Elbow Dysplasia Scheme.

What do the results mean?

A grade is given for each elbow and the overall grade is determined by the higher of the two individual grades. The grades are:

0 = Radiographically normal
1 = Mild osteoarthritis
2 = Moderate osteoarthritis or a primary lesion with no osteoarthritis
3 = Severe osteoarthritis or primary lesion with osteoarthritis

CHS recommends only breeding from dogs with an elbow grade of 0.
If the dog is registered with the UK Kennel Club, their results will be sent to the Kennel Club for publication on the Kennel Club website.

What are breed specific statistics?

The breed specific statistics for the Elbow Dysplasia Scheme show the results for all UK Kennel Club registered pedigree breeds that have been screened since 1999, as well as the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds. These statistics are broken down by breed and grade. We recommend that only dogs with an elbow grade of 0 are used for breeding.

For breeders

Elbow scheme update

Turnaround times

We aim to have a one to two week turnaround following payment for online submissions made on the CHS portal.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Payment

You can pay your CHS submission fee directly at your vet practice. If you don't pay your submission fee directly at your vet practice, you'll receive an email to make an online payment once your vet submits your dog's radiographs. Please follow the link in the email to make your submission fee payment. Please note: submissions will not be scored or graded until payment has been received in full by CHS.

About the scheme

The Scheme uses X-rays to screen for abnormalities caused by elbow dysplasia in the elbow joints. The X-rays are graded by an expert panel of veterinary surgeons otherwise known as Scrutineers. The grades can then be used by breeders to make informed breeding decisions.

The Scheme is open to all dogs and breeds including crossbreeds, unrecognised breeds, and dogs not registered with the Kennel Club.

Download our leaflet on elbow dysplasia in dogs for more information on the condition and the scheme.

How to make a submission

Contact your vet and arrange an appointment for your dog to be X-rayed.
The X-rays must be taken under anaesthesia or heavy sedation which means that the dog may have to be left for a short time at the veterinary practice. The type of drugs used will vary depending due to age, breed and history of the dog, and is generally a very safe procedure in healthy dogs. Elbow X-rays can be taken at the same time as those for the Hip Dysplasia Scheme. If you have any queries speak to your vet or read the Procedure Rules and Regulations explaining the requirements and procedure for radiography (particularly Sections 6-8).
Once the X-rays have been taken, your vet will submit the details, X-rays, and fee to CHS.
The X-rays will be graded by our expert veterinary surgeons. We have a grading session each week where two expert veterinary surgeons review the radiographs.
The results certificate will be returned to your vet and passed on to yourself.
If your dog is registered with UK the Kennel Club, the results will also be published on the Kennel Club website.

Requirements

Before having your dog screened for elbow dysplasia, please make sure you can meet the following requirements:

The dog must be at least 1 year old.
The dog must be permanently and uniquely identified by way of a microchip.
If applicable, the dog’s Kennel Club registration certificate and any related transfer certificates must be available so that the appropriate details can be printed on the X-rays.

Submission fees

A single submission to the Elbow Scheme starts from £73.50 (inc. VAT). A full breakdown of costs and offers can be found on our Submissions Fees page.

Interpreting and using the results

Once your dog has been graded, a completed certificate detailing the elbow grades will be sent back to your vet and then passed on to yourself.

A grade is given for each elbow and the overall elbow grade is determined by the higher of the two individual grades. The grades are:

0 = Radiographically normal
1 = Mild osteoarthritis
2 = Moderate osteoarthritis or a primary lesion with no osteoarthritis
3 = Severe osteoarthritis or primary lesion with osteoarthritis

CHS recommends only breeding from dogs that have an elbow grade of 0.

Breed specific statistics

The breed specific statistics for the Elbow Dysplasia Scheme show the results for all UK Kennel Club registered pedigree breeds that have been screened since 1999, as well as the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds. These statistics are broken down by breed and grade. We recommend only breeding from dogs that have an elbow grade of 0.

For owners

Elbow scheme update

Turnaround times

We aim to have a one to two week turnaround following payment for online submissions made on the CHS portal.

We are unable to fast-track any submissions or give preferential treatment to any practices or breed clubs.

Payment

About the scheme

The Elbow Dysplasia Scheme uses X-rays to identify abnormal growth in the elbow joint. The images are then reviewed and graded by an expert panel of veterinary surgeons. The elbow grades can then be used by breeders to make responsible breeding decisions and help make sure that they are only breeding from healthy dogs.

What does the elbow grade mean?

If you are looking to purchase a puppy that may be at risk of elbow dysplasia, it is important that you see both parents’ results for elbow dysplasia before you commit to buying. Using The Puppy Contract and/or buying from a Kennel Club Assured Breeder will help you ask all the questions and identify responsible breeders and healthy puppies.

The certificate will show a grade for each elbow, the overall grade is determined by the higher grade. A dog will be given a grade between 0 and 3. We recommended that breeders only breed from dogs with an overall grade of 0.

You can see the breed specific statistics for the Elbow Dysplasia Scheme for all UK Kennel Club registered pedigree breeds that have been screened since 1999, as well as the most common crossbreeds and unrecognised breeds. These statistics are broken down by breed and grade.

How can I screen my dog for elbow dysplasia?

Contact your vet and arrange for your dog to be X-rayed as part of the CHS Elbow Dysplasia Scheme. If you have any queries about the requirements and procedure for radiography, please speak to your vet or read our Procedure Rules and Regulations (particularly Sections 6-8).
Your vet will then submit the X-rays and relevant information to CHS.
Expert vets appointed by BVA will score the X-rays.
The results will be returned to your vet and passed on to yourself.
If your dog is registered with the UK Kennel Club, the results will also be published on the Kennel Club website.

A single submission to the Elbow Scheme starts from £73.50 (inc. VAT). A full breakdown of costs and offers can be found on our Submissions Fees page.

How can I screen my dog for elbow dysplasia? Image

Which breeds are commonly at risk?

Elbow dysplasia affects a range of breeds including crossbreeds.

Basset Hound
Bernese Mountain Dog
Dogue de Bordeaux
German Shepherd Dog
Great Dane
Irish Water Spaniel
Newfoundland
Goldendoodles
Labradoodles
Labrador Retriever
Rottweiler

Many other breeds suffer from elbow dysplasia, visit the Kennel Club's Breeds A to Z page for more information.

Which breeds are commonly at risk? Image

Blog and further reading

Our scrutineers and panellists

To ensure the highest standards, expert veterinary surgeons appointed by BVA are responsible for scoring and grading all our hip, elbow and CM/SM submissions. All our eye panellists who perform the clinical examinations are specialists in ophthalmology.

Expert vet panel

Got a question about the scheme?

Visit our CHS help centre to see answers to frequently asked questions.

If you can't find your answer there, you can contact the CHS team via email: [email protected]