Sedation for OFA xrays - Page 1

Have any of you had your dog sedated with dexdomitor, and did the dog have any complications? We are interested in getting our dog's OFA's done soon, and I think dexdomitor is what our vet uses for OFA xrays. We would prefer no sedation, but it seems not many vets do that.

The dog has to be very still and the dog is also held in some very uncomfortable positions for the OFA x-rays.  Sedation makes it much easier for the dog.

I spend time teaching my dogs or puppies to lay on their backs on a table.

I use a Vet that allows me to hold their heads during the x-ray so they lay still.

Not all Vets allow this so look around and ask

Puppies started this way have no problems older dogs may or may not allow it but then would only need a very small amount of sedation lessening any problems from it.

You should ABSOLUTELY sedate your dog for OFA x rays. That's the compassionate thing to do. Frankly if someone wanted to do it without sedation I would consider it cruel - the tech has to pull the dog's limbs into extreme positions to get the correct views. The technician will be unlikely to get the dog in the correct position without muscle relaxation anyway (fun fact - everyone can do the splits when sedated. Flexibility is controlled by the brain, not the muscles).

I dunno Jill - my mind thinks I can do all sorts of stuff, but my body begs to differ, lol.

I think to get xrays that are good enough quality and positioning for OFA, that sedation is necessary, especially for dogs who wouldn't appreciate strangers pulling & twisting their limbs.

What are your experiences having a dog sedated? Have they had any complications or did they get out of it well?

When 2 yrs old, my male had his OFA xrays done with no problems. Then @ 5.5 yrs old, that dog developed epilepsy, so when he was neutered the vet chose a drug that would not adversely affect him. He came out of it fine that time as well.

BUT, until a dog undergoes sedation, without any previous medical history to indicate potential complications, there is always a slight risk. Talk to your vet about your concerns, and ask if they do many OFA xrays. If not, then find a vet that does, because proper positioning for a good OFA xray is very important.

I have had several other dogs undergo sedation without a single issue.

in the old days, well at least the old days I remember, most OFA x rays were done without anesthesia. the common wisdom at the time was that the dog tightening up would draw the hip tighter together.

not sure if it made a difference or not, I am pretty sure that most only cared about passing, rather than the effect on later generations.

I can remember my mentor getting many of her dogs X-rayed by a moonlighting human Radiologist, resulting films were good enough positioning for her vet and for the Hip Scheme scoring Panel here. They were, I'm pretty sure, done without any sort of sedation. Her dogs were (Germanic) show stock with very happy temperaments, so perhaps pulling their limbs about was no biggie ? Like Rik, I think it was felt / said @ the time (80's) that no sedation gave a better result ...

I have subsequently had one dog X rayed by a vet myself, a bit more recently (c.2003 ?); he had to have more than just his pelvis / hip sockets filmed, so he was anaesthetised, but I am afraid I do not recall what with.  Anyhoo he woke up afterwards, absolutely fine.

 

Never sedated my dogs for OFA, never needed to. Need to find that talented vet that knows how to position quick and precise. The guy I go to is in Madison WI very lucky to be close by. People come from all over to get hips done by him.