Prelim Results are in... - Page 1

Well everyone, I received my prelim results from OFA last night and I must say, some hit it right on...to my dismay.

Apache's hips rated only a FAIR.

Yes, I know...she PASSED but, I was so hoping for Good. 

Now, someone had mentioned in the thread (I should look it up, but am too lazy) that sometimes as they mature, this might change.  Has this happened for anyone here?  I mean, have you had prelims come back as Fair and at the two year or better mark, for the official results, they come back Good?  Very curious if this has happened and how much.

Thank you all for your replies to help me prepare for the results too.  Guess it goes to show you the vets are wrong sometimes with their readings, huh?

OH and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!

Vets are wrong a LOT - most are not ortho specialists and have only as much "hands on" knowledge about what to look for on hip x-rays as you or I do who have looked at many ourselves and learned what to look for.  Some vets have less knowledge than the average breeder or trainer.

Yes, your dog is young and the hips can change for the better - usually because young dogs have normal laxity in their joints, that could "tighten up" as they get older, fitter, more muscular - tighter hips will get a better rating as an adult as long as there is no degrading of the boney formations at that time (hope not).  Plus, the adult hip x-rays may be positioned better, making the hips look better - better rating.

molly

Thank you Molly for your input.  Perhaps I have something to look forward to.

So, is the consensus on using Anesthesia or Not?  The vet used it on these xrays. 

I don't wish to "hide" any of her faults.  I'd rather know if her hips are indeed good, fair or other but, it seems a lot of people opt for the No anesthesia due to it showing "tighter" hips.

I believe I will do it again the same way we did this time but, just curious as to what others would do.  Besides, I cannot imagine her letting anyone do this to her without it! lol

If you want to see what her hips really look like, then use sedation.  I always do - want to know for working and breeding reasons, what the hip structure really is - dogs without sedation are fighting the unnatural positioning, pulling back and can make the hip structure look tighter.  Of course boney formation won't be different, but the hips will look tighter without sedation.

molly

That's great! A fair still means normal hips for the breed and age.

I coudn't agree more with Molly. When  you have her done for certification, take her to an experienced vet who will sedate her. She doesn't need to be knocked out. Here is what OFA says about tranqulizing for hip xrays - it is recommended that dogs are sedated to the point of MUSCLE RELAXATION (my emphasis), but it is not required.  My best guess is she will still be fair, but that would be not preclude her from being bred. It's just a heads up to pick a mate with good to excellent hips with a strong family background of good hips and of producing good hips. 

Be happy............

Fair may not be perfect but they passed and are not HD.  I think you have an extra reason for Thanksgiving today.

We always have our sedated for x-rays.

Congratulations. O.F.A. "Fair" is a passing score, and there is a slim chance this grading may improve by the age of twenty-four (24) months. It could happen, especially if the puppy is raised correctly and care is taken during the radiographic examination. If this dog may be used for breeding a rating of "Fair" is fine, provided that the siblings are mostly "good". uch of the time the rating of "Fair" pertains to the amount of socket coverage over the femoral ball. There is a small chance that the socket may become a bit broader with more bone mass. Time will tell.

The O.F.A.'s website provides an explanation of the probability of adult hip quality pertaining to the results of the preliminary evaluation and the age at the time of evaluation. Take a look here: http://www.offa.org/enewssept2006.pdf Essentially, they state that they can make some determination as early as four (4) months of age. Remember that the norm for a GSD is nearly split between O.F.A. "Good" and O.F.A. "Fair" and there are very few GSD's with O.F.A. "Excellent" hip quality and approximately 19% with borderline dysplasie or worse. Congratulations again.

Best Regards,

Bob-O

your typical vet is not a radioligist,   Congrates on passing.

I think at 24 months and maybe a different vet to take x-rays you might even be suprised .

happy turkey day.

Congrats on passing!!!  As many say, the 24 month may well come back better...

I got an email Wednesday night from OFA and my heart skipped a beat until I opened it and it just said that they had received the xrays and I would hear back in 2-3 weeks....  at least your wait is over for now. 

My recommendation is good food, good exercise with low level strength training for muscle build up and keep her safe from accidents as best you can.  I was constantly monitoring mine for anything that could injure them - nerve racking.  My boy had been working on the Bungi for the past month before his xrays and the vet was very impressed with his muscle mass.  I know it helps.

Seriously, she passed - that is good!

Thanks Clews.

Yes, you're right...the wait is over ... or, partially anyway (as this was just the prelims) but, she DID pass!

I do keep her nice and trim.  I have to watch her more closely with jumping as she's a maniac.  She's exercised regularly and is on good food...not junk so, I'm trying to do it all right. 

I'm still thinking about you and putting in my prayers for Good or better!!  whew...(breathing sigh of relief for now)...