What age for Hip X-ray?

[ldpusateri]

I was planning on have Holly's hips X-rayed when I have her spayed in about 4-5 months. She'll be about 8-9 months old (the breeder told me that none of her dogs every had their first heat until they were 10-13 months old). So anyway... my husband thinks that's too young and that she's not a show dog and we aren't going to breed her so we don't need it. Now both her parents are hip certified, but I still want to know and make sure that we know to take all the appropriate steps if she is dysplastic (sp?). Opinions?

[ChicagoCanine]

Hello,
You can have their hips x-rayed then. If you want to get her OFAd you need to wait until she is 2 years old- that is the youngest they will give an OFA number. They will take prelims from younger dogs, though.
If you do have her hips x-rayed when she is spayed, I'd suggest having them re-checked after she is 2 yrs.

You can find all the info about OFA here: www.offa.org

[CanadianGolden423]

I would have her xrayed at 9 months, since some corrective surgery can only be done before the dog is a year old. Have these prelim'd by OFA (you may as well x ray and prelim her elbows too). Then, re xray when she's two and obtain an OFA certification on both her hips and elbows. I just got Delta's prelims back- Good on hips and clear elbows! :085

Samra

[ldpusateri]

Would I need to have an OFA certification if I don't plan on breeding her, or is it just good to have the "experts" look at the x-rays?

[Swampcollie]

If you aren't planing on Breeding or competition with the pup a good experienced Specialist should be able to do a set of films and give you an opinion on how sound the pups hips are.

You should do the set of films at about 9 months of age as a precaution. What you really want to find out is if there is a significant problem. If for some reason there is, you can adapt the pups lifestyle so that you don't ask it to do things that would be painfull for it in the long run.

If the pup comes from sound stock, you likely won't have a problem child anyway.

[CanadianGolden423]

If you aren't breeding or competing, an OFA number isn't all that important. However, it's only $35 to send hips and elbows together to get a number, so just for the opinion of 3 experts/peace of mind/etc it's well worth it to get them certified.

Samra