UPDATE ON ICE.... HIP/ELBOW XRAYS - Page 3

Okey dokey.

Jyl, I'm not trying to be an a-hole I just want you to know that you may not be getting accurate hips readings if you are not having your dogs sedated. I worked as a radiology tech for almost 15 years, trained at Penn under Dr Riser and have seen and done a LOT of hip xrays. I don't know if you've ever seen a dog being xrayed so forgive if I am being overbearing. The dog is placed on his back, one tech at the head end , one at the other end. The rear legs are lifted above the level of the back and then stretched toward the tech on the rear end. That tech grasps the dog just below the hock and twists the legs so that the knees are rotated inwardly. The tech on the other end grasps the dog by the elbows and pulls in the opposite direction. The dog is being stretched in both directions while the legs are being rotated inwardly. This is not a comfortable position for an awake dog and most will fight the manipulation by tensing their muscles. This resistance can mask subluxation and give a false reading; some hips will look tighter than they actually are. It's not going to make a difference with every dog, but it will with some. Non-sedated dogs can get a better rating than they would get if sedated and not resisting the manipulation. I've seen it. If your vet uses a cradle, the same thing applies. As you know, SV requires sedation and OFA suggests it. They have reasons for that.

Jyl- Congratulations on the good news about Ice's OFA results!

I just received Bosco's OFA's results as well- same as yours. However, Bosco was chemically restrained since I had the x-rays done at the same time as his dental surgery (he ran into the corner of our barn and knocked out four teeth).

Blitzen,
I understand you were not trying to be an an a-hole( as you said)... it just struck a nerve with me when you said I didnt care and just wanted a number. Nothing is further from the trueth, I do very much care!
I have seen alot of dogs xrayed(both my own as well as other dogs) as well as helped hold and position some. So I am not new to how the xray procedure is done. Ice was perfect on the table he did not struggle what so ever. I was acturally surprised, because he can be an ass to the vets and techs....lol.  He was a PERFECT gentleman this time, he never even moved. He actually stayed on his back on the table until the tech and I rolled him to do his elbows. His hips were done first. I was also right there with him, so that probable helped alot. If I or the vet (who has been doing OFA xrays for over 20 years) had felt that Ice needed to be Ace'd we would have.
Ice is also going thru some Pano right now. I noticed it right away on the xray when his elbows were done. When I do Ice's official OFA's I will not hesitate to sedate him if I feel that it what is needed.
So I do understand and appreciate you coming back on and explaining yourself.

Laura,
Dogs do the craziest things dont they...lol. Glad Basco is ok.
 

I got the results on Ice's pre- lims...
HIPS - GOOD
ELBOWS - NORMAL

Congrats, Jyl and Ice!

Way to go!

Even though this thread got a little tense, I actually did learn about the hips being x-rayed.  It has been a bit of a mystery to me.  My dog WILL definitely be sedated for this procedure. 

Here is Ice and Xena (who will be 8 in May) playing outside. They were glad to have the break in the rain. Although, since I live in California, the rain was MUCH needed.
Ice will be 11 months old tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PNR-DyTp_Gg
 

Ice looks awesome!
Very handsome!
Xena looks like she is tolerating him pretty well!
Thanks for sharing!
 

Thanks Steve,
Xena and Ice had a blast playing for about half and hour. It has been raining straight for 3 days. They were happy to be outside playing for a bit. Now they are dirty and tired...lol.