When to x-ray hips
They don't have any difficulty moving around, I'm just wondering when I should do x-rays to see if we'll have any hip issues in the future. |
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| it depends. If you want to contribute to the record of OES on OFA - then two (only really useful for dogs with pedigrees so it can be linked to the lineage) If its for your own use - I did Morgan at two when Marley was being OFA's - gave me some valuable information that I used to work on strengthening him. I had him x-rayed again at three (changed vets and wanted to see how our routine was doing) I probably will have him done again at 5 or 6 even if he doesn't show any more advanced outward signs - but we now also work with a rehab therapist and I trust her when she "feels" his joints so I may not.
One thing is to be more observant than looking for obvious problems. Morgan walks ok - he just walks differently. That caused me to take him to rehab where they analyzed him and said he only had 30% flexibility on one hip compared to almost 80% on the other. He also has a significantly measurable (like 2") difference in the size of that hip. We are doing therapy to help strengthen that side and maintain what we have on the other side. Xrays alone wouldn't give me that kind of information - but then again I amy be a little excessive with preventative therapy  at least according to my husband  |
| What is it you do with your dogs. Are they into sports and you real active with them. I usually xray my puppies when I get them spayed or neutered(6-8months) just to check there isn't anything I need to worry about. Full hip maturity is a two,which is why most people OFA or Penn Hip then.
Dysplasia is dependent on lots of things not just genetics.As just mentioned there are other things to watch for and be concerned about. If you aren't breeding or involved in dog sports,why put them through the anesthesia and you the expense. All dogs will have age related joint issues. Good weight, consistent exercise,good diet all help prolong the time before you have issues My breed for years was working GSD's so I'm very sensitive to hips.For the last 15years all my puppies (3rescues and now my OES) have received glucosamine/chondroitin supplements for the first two years and then again starting at 6-7years of age. I have a vet friend who has lots of friends in research at A+M's vet school,he gave me this advice. Funny thing is since of used these supplements I've had 4 large active dogs with good to excellent hips. |
furry and four paws wrote: What is it you do with your dogs. Are they into sports and you real active with them. I usually xray my puppies when I get them spayed or neutered(6-8months) just to check there isn't anything I need to worry about. Full hip maturity is a two,which is why most people OFA or Penn Hip then.
Dysplasia is dependent on lots of things not just genetics.As just mentioned there are other things to watch for and be concerned about. If you aren't breeding or involved in dog sports,why put them through the anesthesia and you the expense. All dogs will have age related joint issues. Good weight, consistent exercise,good diet all help prolong the time before you have issues My breed for years was working GSD's so I'm very sensitive to hips.For the last 15years all my puppies (3rescues and now my OES) have received glucosamine/chondroitin supplements for the first two years and then again starting at 6-7years of age. I have a vet friend who has lots of friends in research at A+M's vet school,he gave me this advice. Funny thing is since of used these supplements I've had 4 large active dogs with good to excellent hips. Right now with the weather being so cold and icy, we haven't been as active as I'd like. Asterisk is finishing additional training and then I am going to enroll her in agility/herding classes. She is very smart and has a very active mind, plus she's still very much a puppy. Wendel isn't athletic, he's more of a people dog. The most active he will get is about 10 minutes at the dog park chasing Asterisk and then the rest of the time he's seeking out attention from people. I guess I was always under the impression that purebred dogs (especially larger dogs) should have their hips checked periodically as they aged. |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: I guess I was always under the impression that purebred dogs (especially larger dogs) should have their hips checked periodically as they aged.
No, not typically and certainly not repeatedly unless they're symptomatic of something. But if you're planning on doing agility with Asterisk, definitely have her x-rayed. You don't have to have her sedated, nor OFA'd (though you certainly can). But the easiest thing for your purposes is simply to find a vet (ask local breeders who they use if yours doesn't do a lot of hip x-rays) who knows how to get good films without sedation and, ideally, is well versed in reading them and tell them why you want her x-rayed. I OFA my dogs, but that's because I do that anyway for myself (and Asterisk's breeder will also benefit from any feedback you can give her on the hips she's producing) My rescue dog who just turned two and who will also be doing agility I'll probably just x-ray and not bother to submit to OFA since we have no pedigree info on her anyway and I trust my OES breeder vet to give me an accurate enough reading of her hips to tell me whether she up to doing agility or not. Kristine |
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