8mo Hip X-Rays. Opinions? - Page 2

That is terrible positioning, the pelvis is so tilted.
I doubt though that it will make a difference with a good clear x-ray, as I can see on the right hip that
the socket does not have a cup/curve to the top part of it...you can get a clear x-ray and see if she has TV.

This is TV:  

http://www.offa.org/hd_procedures.html


 

The OP said he used this vet partly because the vet will try it without sedation. I then asked why he was opposed to sedating dog for xrays. Personally I think all dogs should be sedated for hip xrays, it can make a difference, I've seen it. OFA doesn't require it, but they do suggest sedation to the point of relaxation so the  dog doesn't fight the manipulation. I read here that the SV requires sedation, but I have never seen that in an SV policy.

Mirasmom is correct IMO the rim of the socket is already losing the correct "C" shape indicating a loose fit, a shallow socket and remodeling. This an indication of moderate to severe HD in dog this young. The other side looks OK as far as one can tell from an x-ray of this poor quality. If it were my dog, I'd want to see a better xray, but I wouldn't have a lot of expectations.

I see a big tilt, making it hard to gauge how the socket is truly shaped, so let's not get too negative until we know more. The femoral head doesn't look bad (yet) as typically terrible hips that have been bouncing around in a socket usually look, all flattened and lumpy and dented, etc. If I were the vet, I'd be too humiliated to even show a client those xrays, let alone ask them to pay for them! Whether anyone feels it will make a difference or not is irrelevant; a client pays for proper xrays and they deserve them. Not only that, but I shudder to think about a puppy struggling against obviously inexperienced techs/vets to end up in those positions. If she was sedated, I'd really expect a whole lot better. 

Top xray, mild sedation, bottom xray no sedation at all. Either way, you must demand proper positioning. 

With this x-ray (the right hip, left side of our screen) is very shallow.  Now if this is redone with the hip socket this shallow, I don't think it would pass.  Left side looks OK (our right side of the screen)  Sorry.

You could swim this dog and condition on sand to help build up the muscle tone and keep hip in place for lifetime, but with this x-ray, probably not good enough for breeding.  But at 8 months old, things can and do change.  Good luck.

The questions will be answered if the OP gets a diagnostic quality x-ray on this dog.

Thank you all for your comments. I paid for these because Im gullible and naive enough to think better positioning wouldnt change the hip, which is why I came to yall. I see even among the many experts here that opinions differ. Im going to ask the vet the circumstance behind these xrays, and whether she personally positioned them or if a tech did; and then see if she would be willing to redo them. Ive got others Id like to xray and club members who are asking for recommendations for places to get xrays.

This vet was recommended by the club. She was xrayed to evaluate future breeding potential.

We're not debating pass or fail, here. Were it my dog, I would want the best xray for diagnostic purposes, whether passing or not. A slight incongruency between sides is one thing; this is far off enough to skew the whole picture and imo, useless for intended purposes, especially at 8mos. 

This is a great video illustrating how what can seem like a minor, picky issues can in fact be a huge difference.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg-uyaka2Q0

WOW, this vet needs to be slapped! That's awful positioning! I can't believe that they even SHOWED this to you. I'd be ashamed as a vet tech to show these to a client. No, try another vet, or demand another x-ray. You can't tell anything from this besides that the pelvis is tilted and makes them look bad, but you really can't tell until you get a good positioning. 

Please have them redone, then go from there! But I don't feel like they will pass even with new better xrays.

You would be amazed just how many vets do NOT know how to take films. Found this out some years back when they came to ask me what to do. I can see its still happening. I would be asking for a redo and if you cant get them free then you should be getting a severe discount. Better yet I would go elsewhere.