Sedate for OFA?

Dainerra · 12-04-2012, 07:26 PM

Do you sedate for OFA?
There are 2 vets close to me that do OFA. One always does full sedation for xrays. The second vet only sedates if necessary and then only a strong enough dosage to get a quality image.

So, which is better? Sedated? Or not sedated?

Dainerra · 12-04-2012, 07:33 PM

to clarify, the first vet knocks the dogs completely out. The second vet only enough to relax the muscles.

there is also a $100+ price difference between the 2.

Vet 1 has experience taking xrays.
Vet 2 is used by a friend from the kennel club as well as several other breeders. She does dozens of OFAs a year just from people that are in the club.

shannonrae · 12-04-2012, 07:38 PM

Many Vets say sedated is best for positioning purposes. The hind limbs must be manipulated into a somewhat uncomfortable position. To ensure the dog is relaxed sedation may be needed.

That being said I have had 2 of my dogs hip rads done without sedation. These dogs are pets with no chance of being bred. I was taking rads for my own curiosity and did not actually send them away to be evaluated. They were checked by myself and other veterinary professionals. There was no need to send rads to OFA or Pen, healthy dogs with no breeding in thier future. I was able to get the dogs into proper position without sedation, not all dogs will tolerate this.
My male (first ever purchased from a breeder has BEAUTIFUL hips btw).

Dainerra · 12-04-2012, 07:49 PM

I was checking the OFA site. It says "The OFA recommends chemical restraint to the point of muscle relaxation, however it is not required."

which is what vet #2 does. Vet #1 puts the dog completely out.

shannonrae · 12-04-2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dainerra

I was checking the OFA site. It says "The OFA recommends chemical restraint to the point of muscle relaxation, however it is not required."

which is what vet #2 does. Vet #1 puts the dog completely out.

Yes, this is my understanding, that OFA prefers them sedated to a degree. In a calm relaxed dog it is possible to get good positioning without sedation.
If it is not necessary for your dog to be completely sedated, and it makes you uncomfortable to have your dog completely sedated then I say go with vet #2.
I have never been a fan of chemical restraint that is not warranted.

onyx'girl · 12-04-2012, 08:12 PM

It also depends on the dog....it is very difficult to pull those legs straight when the dog is in a vulnerable position. My male is strong/and would never tolerate it without relaxation sedation. Sedation/relaxed but not "out" is what we did~ injectable ace...no reversal, so he was groggy but up and about within minutes.

Dainerra · 12-04-2012, 08:15 PM

onyx, that is what vet #2 does. I know that Singe will need a bit of something, especially since it won't be his regular vet.

shannonrae · 12-04-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

It also depends on the dog....it is very difficult to pull those legs straight when the dog is in a vulnerable position. My male is strong/and would never tolerate it without sedation. Sedation/relaxed but not "out" is what we did.

Yes, this.

The dog is on his/her back, with strangers holding front and rear legs. The person holding the rear legs must rotate the legs inward so that the patella is pointing at the ceiling (when a dog is on its back the hind legs naturally assume a "frog leg" position).

Awkward and uncomfortable for the dog.

sparra · 12-04-2012, 08:22 PM

We always anesthetized dogs for these. The legs have to be manipulated into a very uncomfortable position to get ACCURATE results.
However it also depends on the patient. If the dog is willing to be held on its back then have its legs extended all the way out and then turned in quite a way you could get away with it but I would think some sedation would in most cases be required.

onyx'girl · 12-04-2012, 08:22 PM

Also compressing the fronts for the elbows is not fun.

12-04-2012, 07:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dainerra Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N. Central Arkansas Posts: 5,278	Sedate for OFA? Do you sedate for OFA? There are 2 vets close to me that do OFA. One always does full sedation for xrays. The second vet only sedates if necessary and then only a strong enough dosage to get a quality image. So, which is better? Sedated? Or not sedated?

12-04-2012, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
shannonrae Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 684	Many Vets say sedated is best for positioning purposes. The hind limbs must be manipulated into a somewhat uncomfortable position. To ensure the dog is relaxed sedation may be needed. That being said I have had 2 of my dogs hip rads done without sedation. These dogs are pets with no chance of being bred. I was taking rads for my own curiosity and did not actually send them away to be evaluated. They were checked by myself and other veterinary professionals. There was no need to send rads to OFA or Pen, healthy dogs with no breeding in thier future. I was able to get the dogs into proper position without sedation, not all dogs will tolerate this. My male (first ever purchased from a breeder has BEAUTIFUL hips btw). __________________ Sydney(rescue)-Pit cross Birbo(rescue)-GSD Until we meet again . . . Bear(rescue)-GSD, my soul mate. Kai-(rescue)GSD, my forever baby. Kobie-Pomeranian, my tiniest dog with the biggest heart.

12-04-2012, 08:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,351	It also depends on the dog....it is very difficult to pull those legs straight when the dog is in a vulnerable position. My male is strong/and would never tolerate it without relaxation sedation. Sedation/relaxed but not "out" is what we did~ injectable ace...no reversal, so he was groggy but up and about within minutes. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

12-04-2012, 08:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,351	Also compressing the fronts for the elbows is not fun. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

12-04-2012, 07:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dainerra Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N. Central Arkansas Posts: 5,278	to clarify, the first vet knocks the dogs completely out. The second vet only enough to relax the muscles. there is also a $100+ price difference between the 2. Vet 1 has experience taking xrays. Vet 2 is used by a friend from the kennel club as well as several other breeders. She does dozens of OFAs a year just from people that are in the club.

12-04-2012, 07:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dainerra Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N. Central Arkansas Posts: 5,278	I was checking the OFA site. It says "The OFA recommends chemical restraint to the point of muscle relaxation, however it is not required." which is what vet #2 does. Vet #1 puts the dog completely out.

12-04-2012, 08:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dainerra Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N. Central Arkansas Posts: 5,278	onyx, that is what vet #2 does. I know that Singe will need a bit of something, especially since it won't be his regular vet.

12-04-2012, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
sparra Master Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 825	We always anesthetized dogs for these. The legs have to be manipulated into a very uncomfortable position to get ACCURATE results. However it also depends on the patient. If the dog is willing to be held on its back then have its legs extended all the way out and then turned in quite a way you could get away with it but I would think some sedation would in most cases be required.

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