1. Jan and Lisa present

3. INDIANA vom WILDSTEIGER LAND

4. This is a true story… offered to you by Jantie & daughter Lisa Demeyere 8570 Vichte, Belgium

5. It’s the story of a German Shepherd Dog, who lived a happy life, but not for long.

6. The Story of...

7. Indiana vom Wildsteiger Land

8. Is the Story of...

9. Canine Hip Dysplasia

10. Indiana was born July 7th 2003

11. A very promising young pup

12. Indiana was born in a litter of 7 pups (4,3)
Indiana was born in a litter of 7 pups (4,3). His parents were: Nanda vom Wildsteiger Land and Xenos vom Wildsteiger Land

13. Meet the parents!
Nanda
Xenos

14. Ulrika vom Wildsteiger Land
Xenos’ Parents:
Wallace aus Agrigento
Ulrika vom Wildsteiger Land

15. Nils v. Wildsteiger Land Yanke v. Wildsteiger Land
Nanda’s Parents:
Nils v. Wildsteiger Land
Yanke v. Wildsteiger Land

16. His littermates were: Ice, Inko & Isaak (males) Iduna, Idda & Ingana (females)

17. Littermates playing...

18. Littermates feeding...

19. Littermates napping.

20. Indiana was tattooed and left for Belgium August 29th

21. His arrival had been anticipated anxiously...

22. With a playful beginning, full of joy and fun to build up trust,

23. training and socializing started at the earliest of ages.

24. “This leash is fun!”

25. “Let’s go for a walk!”

26. “Stay!”

27. First visits to the training field,

28. with so much to see,

29. so much to try out,

30. a lot of toys,

31. to chew and bite on,

32. a lot of strange creatures,

33. a whole world to discover,

34. And a lot of rest...

35. And rest...

36. And rest...

37. And rest, to digest all those new experiences.

38. The ears grow bigger…

39. And bigger still!

40. Trips to the seaside,

41. Trips to the lake,

42. And many trips to the park.

43. Growing up slowly...

44. But steady!

45. Fall 2003

46. Indiana was introduced in the local GSD-breeding club of KG08 Groeninghe Waregem Twice a week, Indy and his owners were trained to become knowledgeable handlers.

47. Indiana has been spotted in city centers and train stations, getting used to crowds, traffic, and a lot of noises! And he enjoyed tracking in the fields.

48. An Indian-a Summer...

50. Indiana was kept in perfect condition, dewormed regularly, got all of his shots and was spoiled rotten.

51. It could of course not be prevented, that he also got sick once in a while. In November he suffered from a never stopping diarrhoea, which led us to the vet, later to the Pets Clinic, he was almost completely dehydrated.

52. Thanks to the professionalism of the entire crew of the Pets Clinic of the Ghent University in Merelbeke, Indiana recovered very well, but was diagnosed with Endocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI). He was immediately put on a diet!

53. Winter 2003/2004

54. The first winter comes around...

55. Snow is falling...

56. Indiana just loves it!

57. What a great time!

58. Fooling around in the snow...

62. Then comes the Springtime...

63. Indiana achieves VV1 twice (vielversprechend = very promising), in the Puppyclass of International Dogshows. (1 non-SV-Judge, 1 SV-Judge: John Thys)

64. Indiana on WUSV-Selection poster

65. April 3rd 2004, at a Judgement Day for GSDs, Indiana receives an excellent written report by SV-Judge Roland Dierendonck.

66. And then, the first Zuchtschau

67. And another… (Pinkstertrofee SG5 SV-Judge H.P. Fetten)

68. And finally, the Belgian Siegerschau! (SV-Judge L. Schweikert)

69. SG5 Belgische Siegerschau 2004, Month of August (13 months of age)

70. Lisa and I were very pleased with the results of our buddy, we continued our training for the BH and started Schutzdienst.

71. In the meantime Indiana had already celebrated his first birthday, so we needed to have his hips checked!

72. September 7th 2004, aged 14 months, Indiana was x-rayed
September 7th 2004, aged 14 months, Indiana was x-rayed. The outcome was a huge schock! Indiana’s left hip looked like a Greek ruine. The vets suggested the final shot!

73. I was completely devastated
I was completely devastated! Lisa needed to be consulted, being a co-owner. I took Indiana back home.

74. Unilateral Hip Dysplasia

75. The left hip looks very bad indeed
The left hip looks very bad indeed. We informed the breeder, got no reaction! Through the Internet we were being informed about Indiana’s littermate Ice. He seemed to be affected by Hip Dysplasia also, was diagnosed HD-5, (HD-E) = severe Hip Dysplasia.

76. Indiana’s brother Ice He also was diagnosed with severe HD
Ice vom Wildsteiger Land
Indiana’s brother Ice He also was diagnosed with severe HD

77. Meanwhile Indiana was immediately banned from dogsport (including Schutzdienst) and heavy duty. His x-rays were sent to different internationally renowned experts. The Belgian HD/ED-Commission diagnosed: HD-D = HD-4. Other experts confirmed this result.

78. FCI-Diagnosis: HD-D

79. Medical Follow-up:
– 1st radiographs Aged 14 months – first x-rays Dr. Koen Vandendriessche Dierenkliniek Causus, Westkerkestraat 20, B-8460 Oudenburg Radiographs were sent to the breeder. They were never returned!

80. Complete DENIAL!!
The breeder criticized the quality of the images?! And proposed to x-ray again at his own Vets!? (WHY?) Dr. Vandendriessche was appalled and raised objections in writing to the breeder.

81. Medical Follow-up:
– 2nd radiographs Aged: 16 months – new x-rays were needed for HD/ED-Commission Dr. F. Coopman / Dr. H. Van Bree Universiteit Gent – Faculteit Dierengeneeskunde Arthrosis unmistakably increased, X-rays were submitted to the HD/ED-Commission: Findings: HD-D = HD-4 = a4 Diagnosis.

82. Department of Medical Imaging (Veterinary Faculty Ghent University) sent the images to different colleagues. Among others to: 1. ECVDI = European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, University of Giessen, Dr. Bernd Tellhelm, Member of the Scientific Council of the SV. 2. ECVS = European College of Veterinary Surgeons, Vetsuisse Faculty University in Zürich, Prof. Mark Flückiger, Member of the Scientific Council of the SV. Some recommended HD-E (HD-5), overall result HD-D (HD-4).

83. Indiana in the Press: Part 1
WUFF-Magazine 12/06-01/07: “Indiana’s last Winter: Anatomy of a Tragedy”

84. The Indiana Trial The breeder kept waving all responsability, although he had promised “a show quality pup”, fit for breeding! The story of how and why I went to court was published by Dr. Hans Mosser in the german language dogmagazine: WUFF

85. Indy in WUFF-Magazine 02/07: “The Trial”
Indiana in the Press: Part 2
Indy in WUFF-Magazine 02/07: “The Trial”

86. What about Indy? In order to evaluate Indiana’s condition, he was regularly checked. Although obviously handicapped, he kept his spirits up. We tried to make the best of his life.

87. Medical Follow-up:
– 3rd radiographs Aged: 26 months – Status control Follow-up x-rays by Dr. Coopman University of Ghent Arthrosis had increased further.

88. Medical Follow-up:
– 4th radiographs Aged: 34 months – Status control Final radiographs Dr. Coopman University of Ghent Arthrosis increased even more, Indiana was put to sleep after the examination.

89. Medical Follow-up:
Autopsy Laboratorium Pathologie van de Huisdieren Prof. Dr. R. Ducatelle, University of Ghent Findings: please see report of post-mortem examination.

90. After the first diagnosis Indiana was immediately banned from heavy duty
No more dogsport, no more Schutzdienst No inline-skating, no bike rides No extensive walks, no more trips to seaside or lake, no more tracking No more preparations for Zuchtschau, we even skipped his BH Instead, Indiana was treated like a disabled

91. From now on, Indiana takes it easy!
Flashback to first diagnose
From now on, Indiana takes it easy!

92. No more running or jumping!

93. At the club, Indiana is now a spectator, he stays at the side!

94. While daddy risks his life!

95. No more dogsport for Indy and me...
gives me some time to study the magnitude of Canine HD. The SV promotes a healthy German Shepherd Dog. In the SV-Genetics Database the Kennel Club documents 57,24% of all x-rayed GSDs have perfect hips, only 4,90% would be dysplastic!?

96. Let’s have a look at SV-charts!
X-rayed pop.: 33,23% = >
HD-1: 57,24% & HD-4+5: 4,90%!?

97. Now, what’s the REAL picture?
I have taken the liberty of taking into account some of the diagnoses that never find their way into the database. All Insiders know that many results are held back, and many pups are prescreened. For this simulation, a correction of the amount of x-rayed dogs of merely 10% was made, but already the result leaves one speechless. Less than half of the GSDs would give proof of anatomically perfect and sound hips.

98. Most people have no idea whatsoever, how many GSDs are affected by Hip Dysplasia. I am glad to be able to offer some graphics on the subject to all whom it may concern.

99. Correction! / Simulation:
Simulation X-rayed pop.: 43,23% = >
HD-1: 44,01% & HD-4+5: 26,90%!!

100. Less than half of the GSDs have sound hips
Less than half of the GSDs have sound hips! The simulation shows that with a tiny correction, the amount of a1 (HD-1) results drops from 57% to merely 44%! The amount of severely dysplastic dogs (HD-4 & HD-5) increases from 4,90% to an alarming 26,90%!!

101. So DO be careful when numbers are presented to document the phenomenon of Hip Dysplasia. They might NOT be accurate. Withheld x-rays need to be taken into account when searching for "the whole picture". A mere 10% of non-registered bad diagnoses was used in the simulation to have an idea of Hip Dysplasia’s REAL frequency. I hope GSD-enthusiasts and -breeders will do all that is in their power to improve the situation.

102. Figures indicate no major improvement since 1986!!
: No changes!!
Figures indicate no major improvement since 1986!!

103. Further information about the real magnitude of Canine Hip Dysplasia and other studies and statistics can be found on our website:

104. In the meantime, Indy had a quiet life, nevertheless he seemed to become less and less mobile by the day.

105. An operation would carry many risks
An operation would carry many risks. We did not want Indy to suffer maybe even more than he already had. Together, Lisa and I made the final decision to have him put to sleep.

106. In the last weeks of his life, all of his friends came to say their Goodbyes...

107. All members of my family, and the people Indy met during his daily walks...

108. Not to mention the ones who were nuts about him! Like Yentl...

109. And… Claudia!

110. Finally, I brought Indy to the University of Ghent for an ultimate evaluation after which we put him to sleep. An “In Memoriam” was put on our website:

111. Revelation of the post-mortem In order to evaluate if "the final decision" was indeed the right one, a post-mortem examination took place. We found our personal impressions of his pain (of which we had no proof) confirmed by the images of the autopsy. As the expert said: “The circular ligaments inside the hip bowl were destroyed (partially torn apart) and the cartilage was completely battered.”

112. It was a great relief reading the medical confirmation that indeed this hip was ruined to a degree that euthanasia was the only way for us to immediately stop his pain. (We found out later that Indiana’s brother Ice had already been put to sleep, after many months of severe pain.)

113. I quote an expert: "That is a severely dysplastic femur head and socket. It looks like it could easily dislocate because the socket is so open and the femur head is deformed and arthritic from what I can see. One side looks pretty good, and even though the positioning is not ideal, still the dysplastic hip joint is very evident...

114. … They would have to replace the socket and femur head to give Indiana any kind of painfree life. That surgery is very painful and requires a long time for recuperation which is difficult for a large breed dog to remain quiet enough physically for it to heal. ...

115. … Often a very powerful hindquarter musculature and ligamentation will hold the leg in position, but with that socket, sooner or later, I would think, one false step by that dog and it could dislocate and the pain would be excruciating!! I think Jantie did the right thing, personally, from what I can see of the x-ray, this dog was in serious trouble, with no good outlook for the future.” End of quote.

116. Lisa and I are now at rest, Indiana will not have to suffer anymore
Lisa and I are now at rest, Indiana will not have to suffer anymore. We believe we took the right decision. Now we need to see to it, that less GSDs must suffer like he did. We hope you will help us in this endeavour.

117. Epilogue This is certainly not a “unique” story
Epilogue This is certainly not a “unique” story. Many tens of thousands of dogs are affected by CHD every year. I call upon all scientific personnel and dog fans to strive for a healthier GSD. Calling upon the German Kennel Club SV has proved to be unsuccessful. The association and its breeders wave all responsibility when it comes to HD and disregard the latest scientific findings.

118. Breeding regulations need to be adjusted, so that less dogs must suffer. I’m convinced public awareness will increase the pressure on the SV and the breeders, and you can help to spread the word. Lisa and I hope you will try and do just that. The lives of Ice and Indiana should not have been in vain. May God bless you and all GSDs!

119. This presentation was made as a small contribution to the breed, in order to change something leading to a healthier GSD. “Ut aliquid fiat!” as the Romans say. So that something changes! “Damit etwas geschehe!”

120. Rest in Peace now Indiana! We love you!

121. Thank you for your time. I hope you will learn from this experience.

122. The End

123. Music featured: Niccoló Paganini “Violin Concerto No
Music featured: Niccoló Paganini “Violin Concerto No. 1, Opus 6”: Rondo by Viktoria Mullova & Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner Giuseppe Verdi, Macbeth, “Patria oppressa!”, by Dresden State Opera Chorus & Dresden State Orchestra, conducted by Silvio Varviso

124. More Music: Antonio Vivaldi, “Le quattro Stagioni”: L’autunno, l’ inverno, la primavera, by Viktoria Mullova & Chamber Orchestra of Europe, conducted by Claudio Abado Conrado García, “Valle del Alto”, by Alborada de Ocobamba (dedicado a todo los niños del mundo)

125.
Jantie Demeyere
8570 Vichte
Belgium