x-raying a 2-3yo??? - Page 1

do hip scores account for age of the dog? ie that dog has average hips compared to one at 12mo but great hips for its age 8?? or similar.

 

Yes, the age of the dog is taken into account.

cool, i have been avoiding it in case of bad news.

if my dog is 110% super athletic and fast and has never limped or had a funny gait should i bother with an X-ray. i am not a breeder or planning to breed him.

I've never bred my GSDs, either, but I've had hip x-rays done on all of them, even the rescues of unknown origin--though I only bothered to OFA the ones that were/are registered, as that helps provide information for breeders on how the lines are producing.  The reason I do them on all of my dogs?  Because not all dogs with hip dysplasia show clinical signs of the problem, and I'd rather know as early as possible if a dog is going to experience degenerative changes to the joints so I can be pro-active about dealing with it.  Same reason all my dogs are on chondroprotectives [Cosequin, etc.] from the moment they set foot in my care...I'd rather they have the supplements already on-board when conditions arise that result in damage to the joint than try to play catch-up after symptoms of trouble show up.  Knowing whether your dog's hips are sound or not gives you the opportunity to restrict or minimize activities that are accelerative to degenerative change and to concentrate on exercise that will keep the dog toned without undue stress to the joints.

Vkg4gsd, I hear your response often from people who think that without obvious signs of the disease, their dog is fine. Imo nothing further from the truth. I think if your going to ask the dog to do any strength games, run with you etc, you owe it to the dog to find out how the hips are. Why punish a dog on a hard running service if hips are bad. Hexe's response is a valuable one.

Barb