Hip and Elbow- Sedation or not? - Page 1

My girl turned one and I am eager to get OFA Prelims/"a" stamp and PennHip done on her....

I know PennHip requires sedation.

But, I have narrowed my list down to two places for the OFA films. One is sedation and one is without sedation.

Thoughts on accuracy of films without sedation, please.....Any other considerations?

One place does both at same time..with sedation...cost at $640 total. Is that about right? I did PennHip yaesr ago and it was about $450. So, I am thinking price sounds ok with OFA films included.

Thanks,
Sara

If you want a true picture of a dog's hips and ellbows, yes to sedation to the point of relaxation. The close ones will not be identified if the dog is fighting the manipulation, all dogs will do that if they are not sedated. If you just want a number, don't sedate. Penn Hip will use a much deeper level of sedation for their hip evaluations.

The cost seems to vary considerably from area to area, not sure what is reasonable for your location. I'd try to find out where breeders of large breed dogs have their xrays done.

I have done 3 hip and elbow xrays in the last year without sedation...on 3 different dogs. Never had a problem. My vet and I seem to have it down....

Sedation is not only about getting a well positioned xray, it's about demonstrating any mild luxation too. Many dogs will lie on their backs allowing their legs to be stretched, but they will always tightened their hips resisting the manipulation. That will not show on a film; the only way you will know that's happening is to do another xray with the dog sedated for comparison. A small minority of certified dogs will not certify if they are sedated.

Elbows are different, the xray will clearly show if the joint has been closed enough to demonstrate the entire joint. In that case, sedation will probably not make a difference.

If you're getting OFA good and better, you are probably OK without sedating, but if you get a fair or borderline or own a certified dog that produces more HD than you would normally expect or moderate to severe HD, you may want to re-xray with sedation. It does make a difference, I've seen it many times. 

I will always err on the side of caution with hips and sedate my dogs enough so that they do not  fight the manipulation.

I have done 3 dogs in the last 2 years without sedation and have gotten 2 Good and 1  Excellent. Now my Vet has been in practice many years and has always done OFA's without sedation so he knows what he's doing. If you go to a Vet that is not experienced in doing them that way you may not get good films. My 2 cents.

Beth

I don't really care either way, the vet can decide whatever gets the most accurate picture.  People seem to get really defensive about it one way or the other.  All three of my current dogs were sedated with ace for their prelims and finals (they don't knock the dog out), both had really nice pictures (one GSD OFA Good/Normal, the other GSD A1-Normal/Normal, the third dog a mutt so no official rating just a look-see but no HD or problems).  Since my vets seems more comfortable with sedation I let them sedate.  One of the vets I use for hip and elbow films is probably one of the top radiologists in this country and I believe the PennHIP program was based on his research, so he knows how to take a good picture.  I've also had the vet remove a retained puppy tooth for free for me because the dog was already sedated for x-rays.  All the vets I've used charge about $120-$150 total for hip, elbow, and sedation so cost isn't really a factor for me.  No way in hell I'd pay over $600 just for some pictures but cost of living (and salary/work wages) is very low here.

Ok, thanks guys!!!!

Sara