Lately I'm kind of concerned about Tucker's hips--if something is bothering him. We got a new car recently, an SUV with a higher level than he's used to, and he doesn't like to get up there by himself, so I'm helping him. In the mornings, part of his ritual has always been that we pat our stomachs and say "Hugs!" and he stands up and hugs us. Lately he hasn't wanted to do that. His weight is good for his height and frame, and he's been on glucosomine-chondroitin supplements since he was a puppy. It seems like he doesn't want to bear his full weight on his hind legs.

So I'm considering asking to have him X-rayed. I stopped off at the vet's office today, and as I suspected, they would want to do their own x-rays, with sedation, and if they find something, they'd refer him to the orthopedic vet. I'm assuming the latter would also want to do x-rays, also with sedation.

I'm considering straight out asking for the referral to the orthopedic vet for the x-rays. I don't like the idea of putting him under twice. And I'd like to be able to submit the x-rays to OFA, so it would be better to just get them done by the ortho.

Does anyone else worry about sedating their dog? I always feel like it's risky, although I'm probably over-concerned.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

We had Mo's hips x-rayed when he was 10 months, because he's a very active dog and I worried. We were able to pretty easily find someone that would do the x-rays without sedation, and that was recommended by several large-dog breeders in the area for her good placement. I would say perhaps call/ask around and see if you can find someone. Personally, I don't see the need to sedate a dog for x-rays if they are capable of being done without sedation.

Tayla had her hips x-rayed by our vet at 7 months and was not put under. I don't know how they did it or who the unlucky person was who was in the room with her, but they didn't put her out. If sedation is the only option I would just have it done once. I hope it's nothing. Tayla's hips were bad and she has been on Dasaquin since then. More expensive that some, our vet said it has a few other ingredients that work better on cartledge than others.

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Barb, Rick and Tayla (STAR Puppy)



Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.

I'm wondering if it's possible to get x-rays good enough for OFA without sedation? Tucker is very anxious at the vet ... I just can't see him staying put for it. Although Tess does just fine.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

If you are truly concerned, I'd go to a specialist for everything so you can send them to ofa, too. They will get the positioning right where as a regular vet may not. For ofa hips, the dog definitely needs to be sedated. Certaintly sedation will always have a risk just like any drug, so be sure to do a blood panel to make sure he can handle it.

Beamer's hips were xrayed when he got neutered, so he was asleep for that. The positioning was not great on them, especially since he was waking up and because my vet is just a general vet. I never did submit them to ofa. I will get new xrays if I ever suspect a problem.

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To answer the question you just posted I highly doubt you will get the ofa quality without sedation. Just with the positioning alone it is hard to get them to sit still especially for a nervous dog. Even with a calm dog at the vet like Beamer boy (since he goes with me weekly) I think we would still have a little trouble.

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The radiologist we go to for OFA hip and elbow xrays does not use sedation and she is excellent. She is in Newport Beach, which is - admittedly - pretty far from you. I can try to find out who people go to in NorCal. You really need good positioning on this and it's worth it to go to the right place the first time. General practice vets are not generally equipped (in my opinion and this is obviously a generalization) to evaluate hip and elbow xrays.

ETA: I just posted on Facebook and in the GR discussion group to see who NorCal people use. I will update if I hear any options.

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We do OFA rads. My previous boss was a stickler for correct positioning... All of my dogs have had their OFA's with anesthesia. We use Ket/Val and sevo gas. Since we no longer use barbiturate to induce, I don't see problems with it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the anesthesia or sedation causes more relaxation. More relaxation can cause their hips to be more loose...I personally want my dog's hips to look as bad as possible as I don't want to just squeak by... OFA does take sedation/anesthesia into consideration when evaluating the rads. When we send rads to the specialists, if we have taken the rads correctly, they do not need to repeat them.

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

Just to add- if I was going to spend the time and money, I'd want to go somewhere that would get it done right.

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I was given the name of Dr. Hoskins at Redwood Vet in Santa Rosa. This was from a respected breeder friend of mine in NorCal. Obviously not super duper close by to San Mateo but much closer than Newport Beach

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Thanks! that's very helpful. I googled and found a specialty clinic not too far from me, in the East Bay, and the lead doctor went to same vet school as my BIL, so I've written to ask him if he knows the guy.

In the meantime, Tucker doesn't seem to be in pain... He's walking fine, etc., so I'm probably being an overprotective mama. (but better that than the reverse...)

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.