Opinions on OFA hips/elbows - Page 1

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My vet convinced me to do OFA X-rays obviously I know usually they are done around two years of age. My male is only 8 months in these X- rays I was told by my veterinarian he already is looking like he has moderate hip dysplasia. VS View: Subluxation. Just wanted a few other peoples opionions on that matter. As my veterinarian instantly jumped on the wanting to have him neutered. 

The hips aren't great. I'd probably say Mild HD, but it will likely look worse as the wear and tear increases.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to neuter him, even if you never plan to breed him. The testosterone can help him keep in good shape. Additionally, you want to wait until at least 18 months before neutering him, so that his growth plates are closed. But I would do lots of careful exercise -- walks, short hikes, not much ball or frisbee, very few stairs, get him on a glucasamine supplement like Dasuquin, and build up his muscle mass. Those muscles will reduce the wear and tear and increase the chance that he will live pain free or with little pain due to his hips.

Christine

Thank you Christine, I don't plan on neutering till at least two years of age. I want him to finish developing. I would NOT even think about breeding a dog that has anything lower then good hips though so he will live out his life going at his own pace and continuing his training to become a Autism Therapy dog for my son. Man am I bummed though :( 

I will still probably have his hips re tested at two years of age too. 

There is a Facebook group, OFA Hips and Elbow Results, that you may be interested in joining and posting those x-rays. I agree, though, there isn't enough coverage on either head and maybe some laxity on the left hip (R side of image). Also, not a huge fan of that right elbow. I'm curious why you opted for x-rays at this age. Is he showing symptoms? There are many dogs with mild to even moderate HD that never show signs and live totally normal lives. Hopefully, his will improve a bit with age and will never give him issues. I bet he makes a lovely service dog for your son.

@ riddlem2 I looked up that group and joined, I didn't realize there was a group but it seems there is a group for everything now a days on Facebook. Thank you. I took him in for a limp on one of his legs ( Lets be honest here most growing puppies at one point or another will limp or act like something isn't working right ) However he started showing more signs that started to suspect something else may have been going on like falling over in the middle of the yard and screaming, bunny hopping around and dragging his back legs pulling with his front. He has good days and then bad days. We have been working on building up muscle, all my dogs I watch how much weight they put on. (No fat dogs here) So far none of his litter mates are showing signs. /knock on wood. The breeder was informed and we have been digging through the pedigree to see if there was any dirty secrets kept in the closet. I know at times a pup can just have that bad luck even with the best of parents. Hopefully as I said this was a isolated accident in this pedigree.

Either way with him having to take a more slow pace I think he is PERFECT for my son who we are trying to teach to go slow for the pup. He seems to get the consept, I couldn't be happier either my son is none verbal and has a hard time not bolting the puppy wont leave his side and will follow him around the yard and make noise to alert kinda like a "we are over here. hey" 

Its the risk we all take sadly with this amazing breed.

Do you have a swimming pool? That may be some good therapy for your pup.

Mild to moderate HD...but zero reason to change your plans for the dog unless they included breeding. I would actually put him on Adequan now. I have seen super results when started prior to major degenerative damage. Best of luck.