HIP XRAY QUESTION - Page 1

HELLO.

IF A FEMALE IS ABOUT TO COME IN HEAT, DOES IT AFFECT HER HIP RATING? WOULD HER HIPS LOOK WORSE THAN THEY REALLY ARE? I AM THINKING ABOUT BUYING A FEMALE AND ASKED THE SELLER TO XRAY HER AND SEND IT TO OFA.. SELLER STATED THAT FEMALE IS COMING INTO HEAT AND THAT WOULD MAKE HER HIPS LOOK WORSE THAN THEY REALLY ARE.SELLER STATED THAT AN EXCELLENT COULD BE RATED A GOOG AND A GOOD COULD LOOK FAIR. ANY TRUTH TO THIS? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Anton, the general consensus among veterinarians is that the high level of hormone production during this time can make the joints appear to be inflamed. This of course does not affect the true joint quality, but it could cause slight images on the radiographic image that might lead a professional to believe the joint is inflamed; which can be interpreted as a fault. The higher pressure inside the joint can cause the mating of the joint to appear "looser" than it really is.

It should be noted that even a joint of perfect construction will fail the hip examination if there is any indication of tiny arthritic nodes. The veterinarian that I used for so long (and did an excellent job of hip and/or elbow examination) did not like to do a hip examination within a few weeks before or after a heat cycle, but saw no reason to wait for an elbow radiograph. You should be able to read more about this at http://www.offa.org

Regards,

Bob-O

I guess it is all in what you are wanting.    I just picked up a female last friday, and she so happened to come into heat 3 days later Mon.   Well, not ideal, being that I  had scheduled to bring her into the vet yesterday, thurs.,  for exrays.  Because  I  was not going to purchase her with out her hips being ok.    My vet and I talked about it ,  and the reality is that if the hips are so bad that she is dispastic, they are going to be obvious, regardless of a little laxity to due heat , or inflamation due to her heat.      If the hips are good and clean, it is going to be apparent.   If they look good, with a little question of  inflamation or laxity, that would also be apparent.    So, all in all,   I needed to know , and it was for my own peace of mind.    And, if they looked great , I would have sent them to Ofa.  If they looked good, but questionable, I would have chosen to re-exray after heat cycle, then sent to Ofa.        

As it turned out , she is very displastic !!    It was very apparent.   and   nothing would have changed it.  :  (

Now, I know,  she goes back,  and It was worth exraying her while she was in heat.

Just my experience, hope it helps with your decision. 

You should wait 6 weeks post or pre heat cycle before taking xrays for examination it does make a difference. The hips could show worse than they are (laxity) but as stated by Bob O it would not affect unusual signs of wear in the joint.

BOB-O

YOU ARE ALWAYS A TREASURE CHEST OF INFO. THANK YOU!!!!

JAMILLE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE. I HAVE SEEN THE PRELIMS ON THIS FEMALE AND EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT A RADIOLOGIST THEY LOOK GOOD. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I WANT TO HAVE THESE XRAYS SENT IN FOR CERTIFICATION AND I DONT WANT TO HAVE A LOWER RATING THAN THEY WOULD BE IF WHAT THE SELLER IS SAYING IS TRUE.

THANK YOU BOTH

Then do not buy her untill she is certified/stamped by either OFA or the SV. That way you will know 100% what the ratings will be. And I am not trying to be a smartiepants.

I agree with Goose.   It would be best to wait.   Is there any real rush?  

It's the "hurry up and wait"    If there is no rush, it would be worth waiting.    To me , it is a big investment , regardless of the dogs monetary value. 

smiles,

let us know how it goes.