DogPaddle Posted March 14, 2003 Share Posted March 14, 2003 Is there a difference between the test they do for displaysia and the test they do to cert a dogs hips for breeding? What are the names of hip tests and what are the tests for specifically? Tyr has a reaccuring limp lately that could be due to jumping about and rough play but when we take him in to be nuetered I was thinking of having them check on his hips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rottiegirl Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 What breed is Tyr? Im asuming he is a Border Collie. BCs or not as prone to hip dysplacia as other breeds, and they are very active sometimes too much for their own good! I would ask the vet about it, see what he thinks. Consider your dogs backround too. If he is an AKC dog you should be able to tell if his sire/dam are tested for OFA or pennhip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord_Pik Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 Tyr is a German Shepherd/Malamute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicat613 Posted March 16, 2003 Share Posted March 16, 2003 Generally OFA is only for breeding - either for breeding stock or offspring so you can monitor results in the litters. OFA grades are Excellent, Good, Fair, and then the bad ones that I don't know so well! Your vet should be able to watch your dog's movement and see if there is a need for a test. OFA is not something the average owner does, because of the time, expense, stress etc. I do believe all dogs are sedated for the radiographs, although that may depend on size? You need to go to specialists and it is expensive. Penn-hipp can be done earlier, I believe as early as 6 months, while OFA isn't fully complete until 2 years of age. Are you concerned about your dog's hips? If you have a video camera, you could make some clips of his movement and show it to your vet, and maybe even some people familiar with those breeds so they can see how he moves. Keep in mind that many dogs that are rated dysplastic by OFA never really have any problems or symptoms. So you could be in for bad news that means nothing. Without any symptoms, if I were you I'd just talk to a vet and ask those in the know to watch him run. Watch other dogs, especially similar breeds run. OFA is very expensive and not very helpful to the average pet owner IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogPaddle Posted March 16, 2003 Author Share Posted March 16, 2003 Thanks Alicat. I'll see if I can get hold of a camera, that way the vet will be able to see his different gaits. From what you've said I don't think we'll need the OFA thing, yay more money for dog toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord_Pik Posted March 17, 2003 Share Posted March 17, 2003 Woohoo! More toys :) heheh perhaps we can get them the ball on a post thing you told me about a while back? :hmmmm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR Posted March 19, 2003 Share Posted March 19, 2003 Hip X-rays can be done at any time and age, if you suspect there is a problem talk to your vet about getting an x-ray. The vet him/herself will be able to view the radiographs and identify joint irregularities. The only difference is he can not "certify" and give a rating (like OFA does) but he can see if there is a problem. They may only need to use a mild sedation, just to make the dog drowsy. There are also vets who are bone specialists. Better to know for sure now so you can take preventative measures with an exercise/weight/supplement program to ensure your dog is not putting excess strain on his joints. A vet won't always know the problem just by looking at a dogs walk, and some dogs may appear to be fine. Dysplasia can be hidden if a dog is conditioned and in great shape, but it can become a problem later on, so it would be better to know early on. Excellent idea to have your vet xray while your dog is being neutered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogPaddle Posted March 19, 2003 Author Share Posted March 19, 2003 Okay, I'll let my vet know our concerns, he's great, saved my old dogs life, always talkes about real good foods, takes an interest in the dogs state of mind etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaleb124 Posted March 20, 2003 Share Posted March 20, 2003 DogPaddle -- I just want to say I LOVE YOUT AVATAR! I am not usually a fan of Border Collies, but WOW what a great looking dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogPaddle Posted March 20, 2003 Author Share Posted March 20, 2003 :oops: Thanks but that's not Kavik - I have no pics of Kavik I can use here yet so it is a default pic from Dogos library of them. Kavik does not have the border collie neck ring, in fact not much white at all. (I nearly didn't get Kavik as there were three people interested in the two dog litter and we were the third interested party to make contact but the one person interested wanted the one pup that had a full neck ring as it had the typical border collie look so the breeder wouldn't sell her a pup at all as she thought it was dumb reason to get a high energy dog.) Kavik has the white chest blaze, a white tip on his tail, a smidge of white on each foot and his nose and a patch of white on the back of his neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennynewf Posted April 15, 2003 Share Posted April 15, 2003 My puppy people are required to ofa prelim or penn hip, this is so they are aware of what their hips are growing like, and they take precautions as they grow becouse they are giant breeds and becouse giants have bones that are like cartilege until they are 18 months of age. a newf pup can be subluxed in one hip at 6 months and than at 2 years they can be ofa good. the awareness raised on hips for normal pet owners in turn helps me to coach them on proper care and excersise i use both penn hip and ofa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.