A-stamps questions - Page 1

I have a good vet I normally use for anything more than routine stuff (emergencies, diagnostics, x-rays).  He's at an animal hospital that has two locations and multiple vets on staff.  I had made an appointment for my young dog to get his x-rays for a-stamps and then got a call saying they are switching to digital, which the SV doesn't accept, and the x-ray machines will be down the week I wanted to schedule.  However, my hospital said they thought the other location still does analog x-rays so they gave me the name of a vet at the other location.  They said she would be the best for x-rays, so I called there to confirm they do use analog x-rays and made an appointment for next week.  I have the list from the USCA site of what needs to be exposed on the film.  As far as positioning, are they basically looking for the same as OFA?  Knees in the picture?  This is my first time doing a-stamps, I've only done OFA.  They asked me to print off a list of everything that needs to be on the film and describe how I need it positioned.  If anyone has an example of perfect positioning for a-stamp hips and elbows can you post it and I'll print that off?  The dog prelimed normal so I don't expect any problems with being able to position him or with the hips/elbows (my other dog has a weird problem that makes his pelvic structures asymmetrical and he's physically impossible to position perfectly but still OFA Good).  As far as mailing the x-rays to USCA...I already told the vet hospital I need to take the films and they won't get them back.  They usually give me them in a large manilla envelop which presumably I just send off with correct postage, probably put a piece of cardboard inside to keep them from getting creased?  I'm also registering the dog with USCA and ordering a scorebook at the same time so there will be other paperwork in there.

I would go with the vet you like and use that company that converts digital to film. Also, in most cases, digital is much safer and emits much less radiation. 

I looked into it but I'm kind of on a time crunch and don't want to mess with the extra time and cost of converting.  You have to send in papers for the a-stamps and I need them back ASAP so I can show and enter other things.  If I get the x-rays done in a few days and send them in right away everything should be back on time.  The vet I normally use has never done a-stamps either so that makes no difference.

I just meant use the normal vet because I thought they did digital...and digital tends to be safer. Good luck and I hope you get them back in time. 

it only takes a week to get back  your xrays from xray express in texas , so its pretty fast, they have the dog in the same position as OFA ask.  i have done A stamp and it can take months, but i  have heard there is a new guy doing the hips, same guy that does the elbows, should be alot quicker now, well hope any way.

The 'a' stamp xrays should be positioned just like the OFA xrays.  The vet who does mine had never heard of 'a' stamp before me, but does a lot of OFA.  He did them the exact same way - except for the info that I brought in to put on the 'a' stamp xrays.

It does take several months to get the 'a' stamp info back.  However, if you are entering USCA events you can contact them and still enter even if you do not have your paperwork back.  I have never done digital xrays, so not sure how long the conversion takes. 

Good luck!
Valerie

I got the results from the SV after a little more than 4 months.