13/05/2019
Displasia de caderas
This is a question that is asked quite often as people seek dogs from different countries.
Comparing hip grading results between North-America and Europe is often part of discussions, even among experts. There are several comparison charts online available and we were wondering how reliable they are. Therefore, we talked with those that make the rules, G.G. Keller, Chief of Veterinary Services of OFA and Kirsi Sainio, President of the Scientific Commission of FCI. The answers will surprise you.
The following list provides you with an overview and you will see that each organization has a different view on comparing the grading - especially when it comes to B hips. Moreover, in those FCI countries that do not distinguish between B1 and B2, a B-hip can, depending on the organization’s standpoint, be anything between “good”, “fair” or already “borderline”.
I. OFA comparison:
excellent and good = A
fair = B1
borderline = B2
mild = C
moderate = D
severe = E
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II. FCI comparison
A = excellent
B1 = good
B2 = borderline
C = mild
D = moderate
E = severe
G.G. Keller, D.V.M., MS, Diplomate ACVR Chief of Veterinary Services, OFA told us:
“When collapsing a 7 point scheme (OFA) into the FCI-5 point method is it a best fit option. Clearly, the OFA excellent and good would approximate the FCI-A. The OFA mild, moderate and severe would align with FCI-C, D and E respectively. That leaves the OFA fair and borderline in the FCI-B classification. In addition, the FCI-B2 is one grade above being consider dysplastic which is similar to an OFA borderline.”
Kirsi Sainio, President of the Scientific Commission of FCI responded:
“The official FCI grades for hip dysplasia are A (=OFA excellent), B (=OFA good), C (mild dysplasia = OFA mild), D and E being moderate and severe dysplasia (=OFA moderate and severe, respectively).
A1 and A2 as well as B1 and B2 are used in some FCI countries to rate the A and B even more accurately. As OFA, I consider B2 to be borderline and could be also graded as C. The final grading is always a subject to the radiologist who is scrutinizing the x-ray and therefore these are only guidelines.
Kirsi Sainio further mentioned something that we always should keep in mind when looking at these two very different grading methods. He siad: “OFA and FCI-grading cannot be compared one to one as the age, anesthesia used and the method for taking the x-ray (position of the dog etc.) may affect the end result.”
When you consider importing a dog for breeding purpose, it is certainly wise to have a radiologist look at the x-rays.
