Hi all,

just feeling very anxious about my two girls hip score on wednesday.

I am hoping to have a litter from one of them this year and they are 21 months old, i have been putting off the scoring as the aneasthetic terrifies me, but i have now booked them both in but one of the two hates the vets, she has never had a bad experience or ever needed anything done but will shake the minute i take her in there, other than that she is a happy outgoing girl.

Do you think i am wrong to subject her to this, though i dont want to breed without it, does anyone know if the dog being really frightened makes the aneasthetic/sedation more risky, i am so worried something will go wrong. My vet is great and i stay with her the whole time  apart from the actual 2 minutes for the xray and i take her straight home.

I am worrying too much and i dont want to pass that fear onto her on the day either....am so worried, i want to score but am so scared

Anyone got any calming words :)

> does anyone know if the dog being really frightened makes the aneasthetic/sedation more risky,

Well, I don't think anyone can answer that question knowing for sure unless it has happened to them more than once? And there might be someone on here that knows :)
FWIW having one of my own dogs' undergo surgery when she was in a state of panic (Bloat) and the time before that for another life saving operation and in a lot of pain/discomfort, and then having to go back to be spayed I would say she was not happy going through the vets' door, I only know that she survived three op's  before she was two  with no problems regards anaesthetic.
I think a lot of dogs' don't like going to the vets and will shake/tremble as soon as they enter the door, but I don't think you have any real need to worry and I'm sure your vet can put your mind at ease and reassure you?

Hi Mandy, I was lucky and got my dog scored while he was under anaesthetic for minor surgery, but I know exactly what you mean--I felt awful leaving him there. I admit that hip scoring wasn't needed as such--he'll nver be bred from beucase he is a cryptorchid, but I want to work him since that's what this breed is all about, so it helps to know he's in good health (or otherwise).

It's really hard to subject a dog to an experience, however shortlived, that obviously upsets him/her. I think the reality is that we are more upset than they are. Try to see it from the point of view of being a responsbile breeder, which you obviously want to be. Some breeds really have probelms with anaesthesia, and you don't say if this is the case with yours. But you've answered your own question. If you want a litter from her you have to get her hip scored--think of happy, healthy puppies and know you did the right thing :-)

Hi, Thanks for your replies, i think it is because i had a bad year last year as many on here know, so i just feel extra anxious, i know it is right to do it but i feel almost unkind in subjecting her to it, i will go ahead but i know i will be very anxious...i was awake all night just thinking about (think i need to get a grip here!)

I wont breed her without scoring and i want a puppy from her so i will have to grit my teeth and panic :(

Thanks Again :)

I thought you would have a good idea Mandy I thought you were a vet nurse??

Personally I use a vet who sedates rather than full anae cant see the point in risking it just for a hip score , my breed are known toreacts badly during anae so it is a worry.

Yes i was a VN, but it is always so different when it's your own dog!

I know if it was someone else i would be saying 'oh they will be fine', easy to say eh.

Yes my vet does only sedate so am happy about that but just seem so anxious this time, think i am just over-emotional :)

Only you know how much fear she exhibits about going  to the vet, I would advise you to make your own judgement.

I had a bitch who used to get a bit het up about going  to the surgery. All went well with her first litter. The second time I mated her, I was persuaded (against my better judgement) to have her scanned, coincidentally? she re-absorbed, I was convinced it was stress linked to scanning.  I did have a second litter following this episode, but she had a C section to get the last pup out. Since then, she has been far worse about routine vet visits. She is as solid as a rock in temperament and confident in every other situation.

With hindsight, I wouldn't have mated her, nor would I any bitch of mine, who is very unhappy about vet visits. You just never know how much veterinary involvement may be required during pregnancy/birth, so for me, I wouldn't want to take the chance. Obviously, vet care is needed for other things, but at least not by my intent!!

If you do continue with your plans for her, maybe Bach's Rescue Remedy or Dap could help her.

Best wishes

> think i am just over-emotional

After having a bad year it is so very easy to be emotional.  I think your feelings are natural.  :-)

I feel for you so much with a dog that is worried about the vet...dont know how I would deal with it..... my girls love to go they delight in the attention, kiss all the vets, receptionist, nurses the lot plus a kiss goodbye and a big wag for everyone in the waiting room as they leave typical of the breed!!

it is a shame because in any other enviroment she wants to say hi to everyone!

Like i say she has not had a bad experience....she just dont like it there....i feel like a real mean mummy already and it is 4 days away!

I don't know when they are booked in for, but would it be possible to take her to the vets a few times and sit in the waiting room, maybe give a few treats so she has a positive experience :-)
Just seen it's 4 days away, time for a visit before then?
   hope all goes well

Hi Cocopop,

Thanks for that, yes i was going to take her on monday so she can be weighed and then i can take her straight in and do it all as quickly and less stressfully as possible, so will take some treats with me on monday.

Is starving still as important with sedation as with GA?

I wouldnt be giving food either before as they do have to lie on ther back not good if they become sick.

yes they must still be starved, as they could still choke if they were to be sick as they are still pretty out of it.

Thanks jean...i feel like a nervous wreck!

I realised why i was so emotional yesterday, i found myself with tears running down my face and welling up at anything, then i realised yesterday that it was 6 months to the day that i let my darling abbey go...must have known it in my subconcious without even realising :(

Still missing her lots and i think i am scared that if something was to go wrong i cant bear the thought of feeling that pain again so soon, please god my girls will be just fine and back on the sofa on wednesday night :)

dont worry, hip scores are just an x-ray they are asleep literaly for a couple of mins only

bless u mandy , its so strange how our sucbconcius works :(  , but im sure your girls will be fine :) xx

Thanks for your support....Well my vet just rang to say the xray machine has broken today so have to re-book for next tuesday, not good as i will stress for another week now!  Then i start thinking is that an omen telling me i shouldn't do it...oh i worry all the time about my four legged kids! :)

Hi I am new on here. I had my vizsla hip scored last year and the ladies did it under sedation they were brilliant and they did every breed going. Where abouts are you I can give you her name if you like. I understand the reasons why you do not want to let your girls go under anesthetic, it is so much safer with a sedation. The cost is cheaper also I piad £50 plus the £35 bva charge, but obviously this is not the most important aspect. The lady I used does it all the time and they are very very good at getting a good x ray too. They give you a rough idea on the day whether to expect good or bad results. I hope this might help let me know if you need the ladies name and address she is i eastleigh just outside southampton.

Hi Thanks for that,

My vet is excellent and has hip scored my male rott for me 18 months ago, he does only sedate and does alot of hip scores, he is very good, he told me my boy would be around 2:2 or 1:2 and he was 0:2 so i am very happy with him, i know the person you mean in southampton i have a few friends who have been to her and highly recommend too.

i am completely trusting in my vet just more concerned about one of my girls being so frightened of the vets, was worried the stress may make it more risky for her, now i have to wait another week so more time for me to get myself in a emotional mess!!! :)

No doubt i will stress out more than her

Thanks for your help

Slightly different, I know, but bear with me ;-) When my youngest badly cut herself on barbed wire she was so full of herself (jumping up and licking the vet ;-) ) that I was given a sedative to take the edge off her for when she had to have her stitches out. Could your vet not give you a tablet to give to her half an hour or so before going to the vets? Worth talking to the vet, I would think.

Thats great you have a good vet and a good relationship with him. I have my fingers crossed for some good results for you

my vet called yesterday to ask if i wanted to take my girls to his other surgery to do it today, to get it over with as he knows i worry, they are both back and sleeping it off on the sofa now:)

So glad it is over and he said both girls hips looked good which i am really pleased about as he is good at giving an estimate of the score, just the 4-6 week wait now for the bva results, fingers crossed. :)

Good luck with your hip-scores