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by andy H on 12 January 2013 - 16:01
Just wondered what peoples thoughts on having a young pups hips looked at prior to the 12 month final hips scoring and if they thought it gave an accurate reading for the out come or is it just a waste of money. Ive got a 9 month old gsd male i was going to take now as the vet said he could give me a good indication of excellent good fair or terrible.
by VKGSDs on 12 January 2013 - 16:01
I always prelim mine at 6-7 months and find it very useful (and so far accurate). I don't send the x-rays for an official prelim but just look at them myself with the vet.
by TingiesandTails on 12 January 2013 - 17:01
Personally, I would not do prelims, unless I want to buy a dog from overseas. And still, there is room for improvement for hip and muscles until 2 years, unless it is really bad. I would not operate on or medicate a pup anyway. With my own dogs here, I wait until 2 years so I can get OFA certification.
by Gustav on 12 January 2013 - 17:01
I also always x ray my dogs between 7 and 10 months, to let me know the basic staus of hips and elbows.....I also have found the readings to be accurate for the dog to work functionally down the road.
by DenWolf on 12 January 2013 - 17:01
I have x-rayed every dog I ever kept back between 4-9 months of age.
Yes, it is very helpful, and I do believe accurate.
You have to really understand what you are looking at/for.
Always insist on correct positioning, and discuss with vet and ideally a specialist/ radiologist if you have one available to you.
Early screening will show what the joint/socket/muscle mass/laxity looks like at that age, and can help in making the tough decision to keep back or place an otherwise fine dog.
The earlier you discover dysfunction, the better you can prepare that animal for a decent chance at a better life.. the longer you wait with the "head in the sand" approach, the more valueable time gets eaten up for the animal, and the less likely it will have a good life, short of major surgeries.
Really bad hips can be seen at 4 months.. good ones can change during growth stages, and can stay fine, or get worse.
My personal preference is to work with very patient and strong vets/techs, who will work with me to position the young dog/pup without lots of drama and NOT knock the dog out if at all possible.
Digital xrays are REALLY nice, because you can instantly see the results of the positioning, and together decide to redo while still in the room.
I alwys ask for a CD with the images.. then I can compare to related dogs (offspring,siblings,parents) and also share with other people whom I respect.
If you have to do films, then take several shots of them while at the vets office.. contrast is really important.
Radiologist/ specialists will take the time to explain what you are looking at.. they went to school a long time to learn what they know, so be fair and offer to pay them for their time.
Hope this makes sense..
by andy H on 12 January 2013 - 18:01
Thanks for all your responses they have been really usefull. I will ring monday for the next available apointment and take him. Im not sure where everyones from but we will be using a vets in nantwhich uk and people travel for miles to see him as he can predict the scores before they are sent off and is very rarely wrong and if he is hes just a point or so out. He says he has lots of people who take puppies they are running on at 6 months for pre puppy screening so they can make a decision wether to keep or to rehome in a pet home.Regardless of is results we wont be parting with him but however we have bought him to show and use as a future stud dog depending on health results and show results so this is quite important to us so fingers crossed all comes back fine 
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