Verdict on this xray please - Page 1

Hi guys/gals first time here with a quick query, Could any of you give me a personal opinion on the photo of the xray below Please bare in mind I took it with my phone and probably is abit off centre, took it directly from the monitor in the vets office Thanks http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/John-2009_photos/DSC_0005.jpg

The xray itself is poorly positioned for OFA.. the entire pelvic plane is not parallel to the film/sensor plane (this looks like film).  That being said, the hips look good (not dysplastic IMO).  Maybe they will go fair because of the coverage?

My first thought is to find a new vet to take your x-rays. That positioning is horrid. From what you can see in the x-ray, at least the balls and sockets are round, but again the positioning precludes a real "fit" picture. There may be some slight flatening on the L, but looking at the right it is probably the positioning, and there is good set on the ball in the socket. There may also be some slight bilateral separation in the lower part of the joint, but again the positioning is so bad, with the hip rotation, patellas not being perpendicular, and the femurs not being parallel and not evenly set on the hips, it is difficult to tell. With as inset as the balls are, it is likely the position.  There certainly isn't anything visible there that jumps out. They would likely look 100% better with good positioning I think.

Thank you all for the replies, well this is my own dog a 16 month old female Alaskan Malamute that has been confirmed by the xray as having mild Hip Dysplasia, she also has the tell tale signs with her slight stiffness, wiggly bum and bunny hopping while running, Cheers

I bred malamutes for many years, this is a normal hip for the breed and dog's age. If the same vet who took this xray said the dog has HD, I think I'd be looking for a new vet.  Everyone thinks the flat spots on the heads are not normal, they are. It's where the ligaments that holds the ball in the socket attach. The xray is not good, but I think it's diagnostic. If this dog is lame, I'd look for another reason other than HD.

It's the right leg that has been diagnosed as having it so if any of you can tell me what slight differences you see, the vet showed me 2 spots that have slight wearing over the left leg I was gutted with the diagnosis yesterday as she comes from a superb lineage with every dog in her generation being a champion, both parents were fully health tested with each having the same hip scores of 4/3 respectively, eyes clear and elbows clear

The socket may be a little shallow or could look better if positioned correctly. Other than that, I really don't see anything that screams HD. I would not rely on these x-rays, or this vet for that matter for an evaluation.

If he doesn't know enough to get the x-rays right, I doubt he knows enough to make the call. 

jmo,

Rik

I agree, there are no signs of HD but you really need a better x-ray! Was she sedated for the x-rays? I would definitely get a second opinion at another Vet with a new set of X-rays.
Beth

Cheers for the replies and opinions

Heres 2 clips of her, one off the lead and the other walking in front of me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43oGlY9u204

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFmUD-hdV14

i agree with blitzen.  take the dog to a different vet.  this is a horrible xray.  i don't know how anyone could "diagnose" anything off of this.  i also agree that your dogs gait is attributed to something other than what shows on this xray.  perhaps get the spine xrayed as well---they get out of alignment just as we do.
pjp