Hip/elbow x-rays done when a female is in season? - Page 1

Hello all. Please can you advise if you have experience of the following:-

My 12 month old Quenn vom Loher Wegg daughter is booked in to have her hips and elbows x-rayed for scoring on Tuesday, but she came into season the early part of last week. Will this make a difference to her scores as I have read that it is better to wait until such a time that the season is finished as it can make scores higher?

Thanks in advance.

Ros 

Hi Ros

I cant say i have ever been in a situation like yours,but i am sure if you phone your vet he will tell you ,sorry Ros

Regards Shirley

Ros,

I would not do the X-rays intel she is out of season.I have made this mistake before.The hips do expand and you want the best when you go for a good score on the hips.So I would just say wait it out.Here is what the ofa has to say http://www.offa.org/hipproc.html 

Paul

Thanks for that Paul. I'm in no hurry anyway ,so think it is certainly better to cancel the appointment - rather safe than sorry! You do only get one attempt at a score, so don't want to take any unnecessary risks. She was screened in December before I got her in any case and they looked very good at the time, so hopefully wont get any bad surprises when they are eventually done. You do never know, though, that's why I don't ever get too complacent! She is a lovely girl with a super temperament and I would be very disappointed not to get a good score.

Ros

Ros, at one year of age she will only be getting a prelim, she has to be two years old to get a number. And even then you can resubmit xrays to get a better grade if you think positon was bad etc. The expense is what gets you too. so you do want the best film the first time. And yes, hormonal changes during heat cycles will cause the hip joints so subluxate on some females so best to wait at least a month after she comes out of season.

I would wait six weeks after she comes out of heat to submit her xrays if they are for her final rating. If  you just want to get a look for your own piece of mind then go ahead .

Trailrider.

Thanks for your reply. I am obviously far better off having the x-rays taken well after her season has finished, although can I point out that as I live in the UK, the hip and elbow scoring with the BVA  (British Veterinary Association) is done from 1 year of age onwards and to my knowledge, x-rays cannot be taken again and submitted for the same dog. I'm not even certain if an objection can be lodged if the scores looked incorrect for any reason. Perhaps someone else from the UK may be able to shed some light on that?

I certainly agree that the cost can be prohibitive though - about £350 in total, at my Vets!! Though I might add that he is very good and I have kept with the same practice for years, I can also trust his judgement and he doesn't talk to me as if I'm an idiot either, which I find is very refreshing these days!

Ros

I have X-rayed bitches when in season when I've had no choice and got good scores but I certainly wouldn't make a habit of it.

You can appeal if you feel the scores you have been given are too harsh  BUT  it wont do you the slightest bit of good , it has been known that in some cases  they have come back with higher scores than originally given !.

I assume the pre-lim is equiv to the U.K. puppy screen.

Thank you TRUEVIEW.

Not much hope if the Vets or BVA panel make any mistakes then? Or perhaps they don't make any mistakes at all!!!???

Ros

Boy that is tough in the UK . Wait 6 weeks then. If the xrays do not look straight and clear refuse them and ask for a clear straight xray.