When to hip score ??? - Page 1

Just curious on peoples opinions of the best age to hip score ? I know with the BVA they have to be a minimum of 12months but wondering if sooner the better before any more damage / wear and tare can be done ie at 12months old exactly OR do you wait a little longer so the joint has more time to form ??

Would like peoples opinions for the best age for both the BVA scheme and the "A" stamp ???

Thanks,
Marti

Anyone ??

different countries have different rules, so the best time depends on where you live.

In The UK so it will be done under our BVA scheme, but i also want to go for the Astamp... My question isnt really about the rules more for which age tends to produce best score or if it even has an influence at all? if you follow ?

You can have a PENNHIP evaluation done quite young and the results are supposed to be good for life. As young as 6 months. They sedate the dog and take 2 views of the hips. They actually check for any subluxation. As far as the usual type of xray, I have seen xrays that looked good at 12 months that did not certify at 2 years of age and been told the dog had mild dysplasia at 12 months and the dog certified good at 3 years.
In my opinion, if you want a more accurate evaluation at the youngest age possible, have a PENNHIP evaluation done. If you don't mind waiting, then Xray at 2 years old.

I know the SV and the BVA scheme x-ray at 12 months, but OFA requires 2 years and the Western Vet College here in Saskatoon requires 18 months.

Marti,
I had a bitch scored here in the UK at 12 months of age 14:3, had her re scored at 3 yrs of age 3:3, this was after competing/working, scales, jumping every day. Like most things in life each individual has different views!! Most good show breeders have a good relationship with reputable vets who have a good knowledge of how to take the x-rays. 

PS my case involved the x-rays taken by two different practices.

Definitely positioning can make a big difference in how the X-ray results present themselves. And the physical maturity of the animal. I always questioned certification at 12 months when the dog is still growing and ligaments and muscles have  not matured. My boy at 12 months had very poor xray positioned, no sign of wear or malformation, but the tilt implied one hip was deeper seated than the other. The x-ray was taken by a board certified radiologist. I argued to have the x-ray redone. He did so, but insisted the dog was mildly dysplastic and OFA said the same. This dog took 3 years to really mature physically. I took him back at 4 years of age and he certified fair to good, with no deformities or arthritic changes. At the end of the day, you are paying for an opinion. Do your home work before you xray.

Super Para, can i ask how you got 2 BVA scores on the same dog that far apart?   the BVA do not usually re-score a dog unless under appeal so I'm confused by your statement.

must admit i tend 2 go later than sooner as i feel 12 months is too young,bones/muscles still developing.My bitches were usually scored the year i wished to have my 1st litter from them.Some were 2 yrs or olders,others 3 yrs.Males i would do at 18 mths.Carole Spelman Rheinmeister gsds.

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