OFA and PennHip .. A franchise opportunity for veterinarians with price fixing - Page 5

Summertime, can you tell me what vet you used near Chicago? Thanks.

bubbabooboo, aren't you in NC? I was quoted 300-400 for OFA X-rays, PLUS treatment and surgery for a tumor. I think you have not been talking to the right vets. And that cost was with sedation included, I believe. This was four years ago and my records are not with me at the moment.

It is undeniably frustrating that NOBODY will even considering trying to do my dogs sans sedation.  I hate mandatory sedation (on the part of the vet) both because I don't like to sedate my dogs unless necessary (and will concede that for SOME Of my dogs it is necessary, but others definitely NOT), and it also drives the cost of the exam up for me.

I think part of the mandatory sedation is because of laziness.  If you're really concerned my dog is going to nail you, muzzle my damn dog.  Or let me help (nobody will).  At least TRY to do the x rays without sedation first :-/

I might still have my list of vets I called.  If I find it, I will let you guys know what all the prices were that I was quoted.

When I had Strauss's x rays done back in 2006 or 2007, it cost me under $200.  Not anymore :(

I am in Ky, and just did OFA pre-lim's with sedation on hips and elbows last week, it was right at $200 total for everything.

Xeph, it's probably not that vets and techs are afraid of being bitten, sedation relaxes the dog so that any subluxation can be demonstrated and so that the dog can be positioned better. It gives the owner a truer picture of the dog's hip status. Even the most cooperative dog will tighten his hips when those legs are stretched and twisted. Vet's malpractice insurance may not allow for owners to  observe or assist with xrays.

It's hard to xray the hips of a struggling dog; many dogs don't like to be rolled over on their backs and stretched out by anyone let alone strangers. Sedation to the point of relaxation is a lot milder than anesthesia and most dogs don't need to be knocked out cold for a hip xray. They just need to relax and not fight the manipulation.

The original question was "do vets price fix for OFA and PennHip x rays"??  The answer appears to be yes since several people have reported much lower prices than the "normal" $350 to $400 price for OFA hips and elbows in the central N Carolina area where I have checked prices and had OFA x rays done.  The pricing question was in the last 12 months and several have quoted lower prices as well but further in the past.  One person reported that vets have associations and member groups that get together and discuss the pricing for goods and services.  While not surprising this practice is illegal and supports my original premise that vets in my area are price fixing goods and services.  Although not part of the original thread the subject of sedation and the necessity or harm it causes to the owner has been introduced.  Sedation is not good for your dog .. period!!  Ask Michael Jackson how the drug used to sedate him ( the same or similar to the drugs vets use to sedate your dog) worked out for him .. but wait it's too late as he is dead from being sedated.  The idea that your vet can sedate your dog to a relaxed state while controlling the suppression of the central nervous system precisely is a hoot.  Dogs like humans all respond to suppression of the central nervous system differently and the more often they are sedated the more dangerous the sedation becomes.  Sedating your dog for x rays makes the dog easier to position at the expense of the drugs and the risk of your dog's life .. nothing more and nothing less!!

Bubba, what exactly is your experience with xraying and sedating dogs? Have you ever even seen it done? How can you even compare sedating a dog for a hip xray to a  drug addict?  If a GSD can't take one or two light sedations for a hip and elbow xray, then there is something  wrong with that  dog that should eliminate it from a breeding program. I'm not talking about passing a tube and knocking the dog out to the point it is unconscious. I'm talking about sedating a dog to the point of relaxation in order to get a TRUE picture of that dog's hips. Do you xray  your dogs before you breed them?

 

It is not illegal or price fixing for vets to discuss fees. In order to price fix, the association responsible must issue a listing of set fees which all members must follow. Those members must agree to not advertise or solicit other members' clients or to charge less than any of the fees set forth by the association. To do so would be a violation of their code of ethics and grounds for suspension. Vets (and any other  business owners) can legally charge what the market will bear based on what they feel their services and commodities are worth in the free market. Buyers are free to choose where they deal.

I live in Massachusetts and go to Rhode Island to get hips & elbows done, no sedation, 
you are in and out of there with a wide awake patient!
They give you the x-ray pics on a CD, they are digital and sent in to OFA immediately. 
Last time I went it was about $280.00 a dog.

The worst reading I had was borderline and had them redone in the six month time period and ended up with a fair.
I have gotten 2 excellents, 6 goods, 2 fairs :)
Going back in January with one, and in June with two more.


Last time I did OFA's in Ma. it was about 4 years ago and cost $450.00 for one dog,
so I would expect it to be close to $600.00 by now.