a stamp thru USA - Page 1

I am planning on getting my dog a stamped thru the USA program.  Has anyone gone thru the USA program?  If so were there any problems?  How long did it take?  Thank you.

I did it once a few years ago. It took like 7 or 8 months from the time I sent the x-rays off.

I have one that OFA prelim good so I figured I would just get her a stamp. I have heard it takes a long time going through USA.

Anyone know the fastest way to get your a stamp?

Anyone know the fastest way to get your a stamp?

I don't know that it is the fastest, but I sent mine thru GSDCA-WDA earlier this year. It took about 3 months for results. Unfortunately, my boy didn't get his "a" stamp, instead he was rated "severe." Talk about shocked.

We went through GSDCA-WDA, it took 3 or 4 months but went smoothly.  Did both hips and elbows.  Just be aware fo the difference in information SV wants versus OFA.

I have not done the a-stamp through the USA office for a few years now because I strongly feel that better and more accurate xrays are taken in Germany. So, I have all my keepers done in Germany.

But what we used to do is get the xray taken with the required information imprinted into the xray. Please remember that the SV rejects digital xrays. If your vet can not print them out, you could go to your local hospital and pay a minor fee to get this done. We always have our hospital take an extra copy and we mail it to OFA as a prelim. We then wait for the prelim report from OFA. This way, there won't be any unpleasant surprises like you experienced, GSDSamsonsmom. Something similar happened to me a few years ago. That is why we vowed to never do that again. Our vet xrayed one of my young females at 10 months of age and told me that she would pass OFA. I flew over to Germany with that female and placed her with a friend. At the same time I showed this xray to a vet in Germany and she said it would be a-fast normal. My friend xrayed this female at 14 months for the a-stamp (she was in heat at exactly 12 months) and the SV rated it as "moderate HD". We were devastated. Our girl was rehomed in Germany and never came back. Ever since that, we always obtain OFA's written opinion. I once used OFA to get a rating changed on a co-owned dog. OFA prelim rating at 14 months of age was "GOOD". The SV rated it as "noch zugelassen". It was the same xray. After protesting and submitting the OFA report, the SV agreed to have this female re-xrayed  and this time, it was rated "fast normal".

As to the turn around time: The SV takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months in Germany, depending on the time of the year and event schedule (in August and September, you can wait much longer, because of the BSZS, BFH, BLH and BSP). From the U.S., you have to add the time USA needs. At one time, it took many months because USA waited for xrays to accumulate to send it. Supposedly, it had something to do with costs and customs in Germany. At least that was the explanation we heard.

Chris

Wow Chris the info that SV rejects digital is vital.  Vet just got brand new digital xray machines.  Don't know if she can print them or not but I'll have to find out.  Neither USA or WDA mention this in their websites that I could find last time I checked.  Thanks all for the info.  You've been a great help so far.

I have one (1) bitch whose radiographs were recently processed through U.S.C.A. and there were no problems. The findings arrived in about eight (8) weeks-maybe less.

The only thing I would add is something that I always do through the S.V. or the O.F.A., and that is have the veterinarian write a letter on his letterhead explaining that he identified the dog/bitch, and indicates the registration, date of birth, sex, name, etc. Perhaps a needless redundancy, but just something I feel is a part of any business.

Good Luck!

Bob-O

Policemom,

you are right. It is not indicated on USA's website. www.germanshepherddog.com/breed/a_stamp_program.htm  Under Frequently Asked Questions, they do state that the turnaround time is about 8 to 10 weeks.

I don't know if you are a member of our GSDWorld board, but we just had a discussion about the a-stamp program. One of our members posted information on a company based in Texas which would convert xrays. Also, another member from Germany informed us that she did call the SV and that they stated they would accept digitals with a print version (on paper?). I find that hard to believe, so I will call the SV and ask. I need to talk to them anyway, but today is too late already.

Chris

P.S. Here is the link to the thread on our board (but it only works if you are a registered user, otherwise you can not read it and would have to register first): www.gsdworld.net/invboard/index.php