Ever been nervous...

[TrickyShepherd]

About getting a dog's hips xrayed?

I am.

Storm is almost 1yr (10 months on the 16th to be exact). In order to lock down her warranty with the breeder, I have to xray her before her first birthday (May 16th). I don't have any reason to expect issues, or any red flags, and she's from good breeding with OFA'd hips down the lines..... but, I have so much depending on those hips. That's one thing I don't really have too much control over. I'm really nervous about it. Unfortunately, even if they are good, that's not the end of our road. We'll still have the OFA and possibly PennHip at 2. I'll be doing other recommended heath tests too. This is the start of it all though.

Anyway... just wanted to talk to others about this that actually understand. My SO really doesn't take it as serious. He's just doing it because I say we need to.

[Mooch]

Hm my Hex had hip x-rays at 4 month because we expected problems - so yeah I was VERY nervous.

Look at it this way though, once you have the x-rays you at least know how it looks in there. For me the worst is always NOT knowing.
My female just turned 6 she's never had hip xrays and shows no signs of any problems but I'd really like to know what they look like so I can taylor her exercise etc especially as she's getting older. Next time she has to be sedated or have an anaethetic I'll ask for a hip xray.

It's a lot of tests and a lot of $ but it's worth it, are you planning on breeding with her?

[elisabeth_00117]

Yes, I was SUPER nervous!!!

I had Zefra done when she was spayed and was nervous that she would have to be pulled from the sports she so desperately needs and loves to maintain her sanity.. lol.

They came back (prelims) as Good to Excellent - deep sigh!

Zefra was suppose to be a potential breeding female so I had the same worries as you as well at that time.

[Zeeva]

Yes. It's why I still haven't gotten it done :c

[onyx'girl]

I did it as soon as Karlo was old enough(6 mos). I wanted to know what was inside so I didn't over do it if there were issues. I was lucky that the vet doing the x-ray could read and grade them with his expertise without them being sent off.

I think it is the only responsible thing to do when doing sports with young dogs...I wasn't nervous at all, but hopeful.

[elisabeth_00117]

Jane - that is the one reason I love living near U of Guelph! I have a radiologist who was apart of the OVC team here in Canada.. Was able to tell me a "grade" even though I didn't send them in.

[TrickyShepherd]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

Yes, I was SUPER nervous!!!

I had Zefra done when she was spayed and was nervous that she would have to be pulled from the sports she so desperately needs and loves to maintain her sanity.. lol.

They came back (prelims) as Good to Excellent - deep sigh!

Zefra was suppose to be a potential breeding female so I had the same worries as you as well at that time.

That's the same with Storm... along with other things. If anything is wrong with her hips... not only are we pulling her from sports and possible breeding (she would be spayed immediately), but I'm also going to have to make a VERY hard decision.

She was purchased as my last sport dog hopeful. I just don't have room for 4th dog here. I have one dog that's just a pet (Zira), another that does a little in protection and OB but wont go any further (Duke)... and Storm was my shot for a true sporting dog that I can title and actually get somewhere with. She's also the start of my mentor program. IF she passes all health tests, and if she trains how we expect her to and title like we plan.... she's got potential to be bred through my trainer/her breeder's program. She's got a LOT to prove before then... but those hips are the first step, and an automatic end to our plans if they are not good.

As it's getting closer, I'm getting even more nervous. It's been on my mind ALL week now since I spoke with the vet tech at our clinic.

I keep telling myself not to worry... she's fine... they'll be great! But as we all know here... even the best bred dogs can come back with terrible hips and have shown no signs as puppies. So I can't help but worry. Doesn't help that I'm a worrier.

Originally Posted by Mooch

Hm my Hex had hip x-rays at 4 month because we expected problems - so yeah I was VERY nervous.

Look at it this way though, once you have the x-rays you at least know how it looks in there. For me the worst is always NOT knowing.
My female just turned 6 she's never had hip xrays and shows no signs of any problems but I'd really like to know what they look like so I can taylor her exercise etc especially as she's getting older. Next time she has to be sedated or have an anaethetic I'll ask for a hip xray.

It's a lot of tests and a lot of $ but it's worth it, are you planning on breeding with her?

Yeah, I'll be happy to know... but just hoping they are good! Then I'll be REALLY happy to know! lol What a relief that would be!

And it's nothing definite as she's still way too young to tell 100%. But she is a breeding hopeful. We still have a lot of health tests, training tests, and titles to get through though (and of course age/maturity). Lots of hoops for this girl to jump before I give the thumbs up to breed her.

If all is good here.... she'll be going through OFA at 2. But this starts everything. It's opening a whole new can of worms and just hoping everything is put together nicely.

[elisabeth_00117]

I totally understand. Zefra was my "learning dog" in terms of sports and breeding. I am getting the first part so the last will come someday. Not sure if I ever want to breed, but I do enjoy learning about it.

My limit is 4 dogs, so I still have more room but for now the 2 I have is plenty until Zefra is a bit older and more mature.. lol. I can't handle another Zefra at this very moment.. no way!

I am sure everything will be fine. I wish you luck!

[jocoyn]

I understand. Beau is coming up at 2 in July and I have not done prelims. No reason to suspect any problems but you never know..He is not really targeted for breeding. It may play out down the road a few times, it may not. I will be happy if we wind up with fair or better...my primary concern is working ability.

[Gwenhwyfair]

I know sometimes no preliminary signs show up...but often they do.

Always (or almost always) puppy sitting on one hip or the other, a peculiar little sway in through the hips when they walk, laying down more then other puppies/dogs, showing reluctance to jump, tug hard, or otherwise engage the hind end. Lunging on long line (yup kind of like horses) watch the extension of the hind limbs under the belly, going left, going right is there shortness in the stride from one side to the other.

If your puppy doesn't show these signs...well it's not a guarantee but it is does stack the odds for good hips!

You being a horse person will have a good eye for these sort of things too.

Fingers are crossed for Storm and you! Keep positive.