Is OFA the tell all? - Page 2

I was just wondering, I also breed Labrador Retrievers, I only have 3 right now, but they are
my fourth generation, I used to have more Labs than shepherds.
Anyway, to get to the point, on the labs I do hips, elbows & eyes cert.
I didn't want to ask the breeder, but, what does AVCO mean?

www.oceanspraylabradors.com

Ya, Blitzen, I did...........

Sueincc,

I did get verification from the vet that has 35 years of experience.
may I also state, that he is from the old school, and he doesn't 
sugar-coat any determination he makes.

I will turn to different venues in getting certification on paper,
and I'll let you know how it goes.

If you sent the same x-ray 3 times, it would make sense that you got the same result each time.  You need to have new x-rays taken.

Do you mean ACVO? If so, it's The American College of Veterinary Opthamology, they certify the CERF examiners. As you know CERF certifies dogs that are free of certain eye diseases.

Sorry, that's the American College of Veterinary Opthamologists. I did look at that site you linked and I'm not sure what that breeder is referring to if not ACVO.

I understand you have a lot of respect for your vet.  You asked if you were wrong to not accept the answer OFA gave you, and wondered if OFA was political.  My answer was that if it were me, I would re-xray & resubmit.  If you go through different venues, I think that works too.   My Tiekerhook dogs first set of x-rays looked fine to my vet, (who was a great regular vet) came back from OFA as mildely dysplastic.  I went to a radiograph specialist who retook the  xrays, when he read them he said OFA was accurate.  Sometimes regular vets don't see the differences between a borderline & a mild hip.  I wouldn't go on the assumption that OFA is "political" based on them giving you the same answer each time for the same xray.

I really hope you find your dogs hips are not dysplastic, please keep us posted.

My question would be, is your Vet a specialist in Orthopedic Fields? If not, you are at the mercy of OFA or send one to Germany for "A" Stamp. I know in one of my lines, the dogs have Prelimed 1 female -  Mild & 1 male - Fair, both ended up with Good at over 24 months. So I think it depends on 1) the positioning   2) the inherited immature bone change   3) mood of the xray evaluators at OFA that day (afterall they are human!).

I would redo in 6 months and resubmit to OFA with a new Vet doing the procedure.

Tina

Thank you, sueincc & k-9mom

You're right, it does have alot to do with positioning, and I like that sueincc--The MOOD they're in!

GOOD ONE!  

Some people have told me, it can depend on the month you send your x-rays in to OFA......................................