OFA Preliminary Evaluations

[knny187]

Maybe "Vet" would be good answering this....but what can I expect?

We will be going in next month with our breeder (she kept another male from the same litter).  Obviously, if he doesn't pass...well....that can change things for what we will do with him in the arena.

I've never done this before.  The website gives a lot of information....just want to know if anyone else has done this.

http://www.offa.org/

[Vet]

Maybe "Vet" would be good answering this....but what can I expect?

We will be going in next month with our breeder (she kept another male from the same litter).  Obviously, if he doesn't pass...well....that can change things for what we will do with him in the arena.

I've never done this before.  The website gives a lot of information....just want to know if anyone else has done this.

http://www.offa.org/

Well, I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, so if I don't answer your question, please ask again. 

The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals is a legit organization whose purpose is pretty clearly laid out on their website.   Its kind of funny you asked me because I went to veterinary school in Columbia,  Missouri where the OFA is located.  The building for OFA is off Nifong BLVD which is just a couple of blocks from one of my favorite chinese food joints and a pet store I used to do quite a bit of work with.  I actually worked with one of the surgeons who works there when I was a veterinary student----we put together one of the biggest fuckup femoral fractures I've ever seen in an older lab at the veterinary clinic that surgeon worked at as a second job and where I was doing a preceptorship at.

Anyway, I'd strongly encourage anyone who has a large breed dog---especially one that is statistically prone to hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, like a Lab, Rottweiler, GSD, Great Dane, etc, to have the dogs evaluated once they are 24 months of age (or older)----ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BREEDING THE DOG or if you have an intact dog YOU MIGHT BREED IN THE FUTURE.   This evaluation is done after 24 months of age to allow for complete skeletal maturation of the dog.  I will say its not 100% without a doubt exactly how the dog will be the rest of its life because of the effects exercise/activity levels, obesity, and injury may have on a dogs hips and elbows.  Just as an example, I know of one lab who was graded good at 2 years of age when she was actively hunting.  She was retired right after that initial evaluation to be a breeding bitch.  As part of a prebreeding agreement, she was reevaluated and graded fair at 5 years of age.  The owner's (who was a veterinarian) wife let this dog get morbidly obese and we are pretty certian that the obesity contributed to hip degeneration.  After the second evaluation the dog was put on a strict diet and exercise program and kept lean.   This dog produced one litter I'm aware of after that second evaluation and all of those dogs and those dogs offspring were evaluated good.    The dogs joint degeneration also did not progress beyond that second evaluation, even when the dog died at 13. 

An other example is my lab, who graded fair (barely, per the radiologist I talked with) when he was 24 months of age.   He never progressed past that point because I took the necessary steps to keep him lean, active, and moving.   I'm planning on evaluating the dogo the next time I have to anesthetize him for a dental, even though I have no plans of breeding him.   I want to know if I'm going to have to start saving now for a hip replacement and so I can take steps to keep his hips as solid as possible.  I've evaluated all of my dogs radiographically at 2-3 years simply to get an idea of what problems might be coming---I haven't necessarily sent the films in to OFA, but I have taken OFA positioned films.  I also would be more likely to buy a dog from a breeder with OFA certified parents with a Good or Excellent evaluation, if I ever decide to buy a dog from a breeder again--which may not happen for a long, long, long time.   To me, the extra cost is justified because of the monitoring of the dogs necessary to get two OFA certified parents. 

The actual evaluation process is simple.  The dog can be evaluated awake, but its recomended that the dog be sedated enough to allow good muscle relaxation.  The OFA has specific guidelines for postioning for elbow and hip radiographs, which the veterinarian submitting the rads has to follow or the rads won't be read.  The radiographs are sent to the OFA, who evaluates them and generates a report within 2-4 weeks.  It should be an outpatient proceedure with your dog going home the same day.   

I hope that answered your questions.  If it didn't, let me know. 

[knny187]

Couple questions....

Is there any thing that an owner can do that give us an idea before we take them in?  Basically, is there any signs that can give us warnings or heads up?  Is there any basic checks we can do?

We'll be going in about 3 weeks for his appointment.  He's is exercised daily (I'm talking every day) but lately, been wanting to step up his exercise.  He's in great shape & not overweight at all.  The reason to step up his exercise will be to add some hill work to increase the muscle tone in his legs as we're preparing to show him.  Should I wait until after the prelim to start him on hills? 

Also, this is the part that concerns me a little...there is some 'clicking' noise coming from his hip area thats been that way since he was a pup of 5-6 months old.  It doesn't seem to bother him what so ever.  Most people tell us it may or may not mean anything.  He doesn't show any other sign of concern.  I've done the basic rear leg extensions with him & he'll extend his leg very far & will not pull like it bothers him at all.  He also stands on his rear 'by his own will' all the time.  I've laid him down on his back & just checked some basic lateral movement with no noise or clicking present.  His hips move (when he walks) to breed standard.  There's no shifting or awkward gate.  Any ideas what this is all about?  I've done some reading on the net & was trying to figure out the best reasoning.  Granted....x-rays will probably give us the best answer.  He is a very tall Rottie & weighs a good chunk.  Not to be biased, but the last show we brought him to (as a spectator) was last saturday.  Of the 60-68 Rotties that were being shown...he was the tallest & probably the biggest there.  We always knew he was going to be big (he was big as a pup) & grew very fast compared to his siblings.  So, on our part we exercised him every day & made sure to never allow him to eat too much to gain any unnecessary weight.

[Vet]

Couple questions....

Is there any thing that an owner can do that give us an idea before we take them in?  Basically, is there any signs that can give us warnings or heads up?  Is there any basic checks we can do?

You can palpate the hip, look at hip extension, look for gait deficits, and compare muscle density.  Unfortunately, those are things that are much, much easier to show someone how to do than to try to explain in writing.   The thing you have to remember with hip dysplasia is that radiographic signs do not necessarily reflect exactly on clinical signs.  Dogs can have mild to moderate radiographic signs of degeneration of the hip joint and only show minimal clinical signs if any at all.  Typically these dogs are lean athletic dogs.  Obese couch potatos for some reason tend to have a closer correspondence between radiographic and clinical signs.....but even that doesn't hold true always. 

We'll be going in about 3 weeks for his appointment.  He's is exercised daily (I'm talking every day) but lately, been wanting to step up his exercise.  He's in great shape & not overweight at all.  The reason to step up his exercise will be to add some hill work to increase the muscle tone in his legs as we're preparing to show him.  Should I wait until after the prelim to start him on hills? 

If he doesn't have any clinical signs of degenerate joint disease, it won't make a difference. 

Also, this is the part that concerns me a little...there is some 'clicking' noise coming from his hip area thats been that way since he was a pup of 5-6 months old.  It doesn't seem to bother him what so ever.  Most people tell us it may or may not mean anything.  He doesn't show any other sign of concern.  I've done the basic rear leg extensions with him & he'll extend his leg very far & will not pull like it bothers him at all.  He also stands on his rear 'by his own will' all the time.  I've laid him down on his back & just checked some basic lateral movement with no noise or clicking present.  His hips move (when he walks) to breed standard.  There's no shifting or awkward gate.  Any ideas what this is all about?  I've done some reading on the net & was trying to figure out the best reasoning.  Granted....x-rays will probably give us the best answer.  He is a very tall Rottie & weighs a good chunk.  Not to be biased, but the last show we brought him to (as a spectator) was last saturday.  Of the 60-68 Rotties that were being shown...he was the tallest & probably the biggest there.  We always knew he was going to be big (he was big as a pup) & grew very fast compared to his siblings.  So, on our part we exercised him every day & made sure to never allow him to eat too much to gain any unnecessary weight.

He needs radiographs.   

Are you sure its the hip?  The reason I ask is the muscle over the hip will blunt the sound of the coxofemoral joint "popping".  Its relatively unusual to hear hips pop unless you are directly palpating the dogs legs.   That said, its not as uncommon to hear popping of the knee or ankle joints.   It may or may not indicate a problem.  Remember, all a popping joint is movement of normally occuring gas within the joint fluid.  Movement causes the joint fluid and gas to move, giving off a sound.  Theres also a difference between a joint popping--which might be a normal joint, vs grating---which is a degenerate joint.   

[knny187]

You can palpate the hip, look at hip extension, look for gait deficits, and compare muscle density.  Unfortunately, those are things that are much, much easier to show someone how to do than to try to explain in writing.   The thing you have to remember with hip dysplasia is that radiographic signs do not necessarily reflect exactly on clinical signs.  Dogs can have mild to moderate radiographic signs of degeneration of the hip joint and only show minimal clinical signs if any at all.  Typically these dogs are lean athletic dogs.  Obese couch potatos for some reason tend to have a closer correspondence between radiographic and clinical signs.....but even that doesn't hold true always. 

I went on the net & searched a few sites that showed some different methods.  I still won't really know for about 3 weeks or so until we bring him in.  I guess it's the only true way to know.

If he doesn't have any clinical signs of degenerate joint disease, it won't make a difference. 

He needs radiographs. 

Right...radiographs.  To me....any Dr procedure i'm completely clueless on terminology & actual procedure.  

Are you sure its the hip?  The reason I ask is the muscle over the hip will blunt the sound of the coxofemoral joint "popping".  Its relatively unusual to hear hips pop unless you are directly palpating the dogs legs.   That said, its not as uncommon to hear popping of the knee or ankle joints.   It may or may not indicate a problem.  Remember, all a popping joint is movement of normally occuring gas within the joint fluid.  Movement causes the joint fluid and gas to move, giving off a sound.  Theres also a difference between a joint popping--which might be a normal joint, vs grating---which is a degenerate joint.   

Well, sometimes when he's walked...you can hear a pop noise.  So, we take turns every once in awhile & when someone walks him, the other person places their hand high on the lower back over the hips.  You can feel it like if it was a knuckle pop in your hand.  Yesterday I ran him up the hills a few times then for a long walk.  During the walk, we placed our hand there & no noise or popping what so ever.  Kind of weird actually.   I ran him again this morning before work....up & down the hills.  He seems to love it as I'm too slow for him - lol.  Afterwords....again he seemed very quiet back there.  One thing is for sure...this dog cannot get enough exercise.  He loves being worked.

[Vet]

Sorry.... Radiographs = X rays.