Hi all,

I'm currently attempting the unenviable task of getting in touch with Marilyn for my youngest dog's x-rays.  I've noticed there is now an answering machine on the line (there wasn't earlier in the year when I was trying for a different dog).  Has anyone left a message, and does she get back to you?  I don't want to leave a message and then have to keep on ringing back in case it annoys her :-o

Also, if anyone can suggest the best time to try, I would love to know :-)

Thanks,

Clare

She works during the day that is why, and there shouldn't be any problem with her ringing back. Try ringing her in the evening.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if she worked or not, or if the number was a personal one even... So I thought hounding her in the evenings may be a big no no!  I'll give it a go :-)

Hi
When I spoke to her not too long ago, she wasn't taking business calls after 5pm.
Maybe best to try in the late afternoon.

Managed to get through at 5.15. Couldn't make an appointment as far in advance as I'd like (8 hour round trip so need to plan quite far ahead), so will have to start trying again in a month. Oh well!

Hi,

How far in advance would she let you book?  We're going to need our 2's hips doing soon and I'm a little worried about hounding her.

It shouldn't be seen as hounding her, if she wants to provide a service, she should expect calls!

I had my hip scores done recently with an Orthopaedic Surgeon at my local Vets, just as good if not better! (I have used Marilyn previously)

She only lets you book about a month in advance.  I realise you are paying her for a service, but I don't think her 'no nonsense' attitude would enjoy my constant pestering.  I personally would rather not go elsewhere, I am very very scared of sedation/GA, so at least with Marilyn the dogs are not knocked out at all - they walk in and out, snooze in the car on the way home and then are totally back to normal after :-)   

>very scared of sedation/GA, so at least with Marilyn the dogs are not knocked out at all

....and actually, that doesn't comply with the terms set out by the BVA:

""3. Procedure for Radiography of the Hips
A ventro-dorsal radiograph of the pelvis is required for scoring. The veterinary surgeon should radiograph the dog's hips
as indicated below.
3.1 Protection of Personnel
The Guidance Notes for the Safe Use of Ionising Radiations in Veterinary Practice (1999) explain that only in
EXCEPTIONAL circumstances should dogs be manually restrained for radiography. Since the radiography of dogs
for the purposes of this Scheme would not constitute exceptional circumstances:
(a) it is NECESSARY to employ general anaesthesia, narcosis or deep sedation to enable only mechanical (ie nonmanual)
restraint for the positioning of the animal;
(b) collimation of the primary beam should be clearly visible on the radiograph.""

Having to manually force my dog to lay down on her back with her legs stretched out is not my idea of fun....nor was it hers. Having heard from others, the struggle they have had to hold their dogs still whilst the x-ray was taken, and with my own experiences, I'd much prefer to have it done under GA now.

>Having to manually force my dog to lay down on her back with her legs stretched out is not my idea of fun....nor was it hers.

Plus, of course, you don't get an accurate result because of the natural tenseness and muscle resistance of a conscious animal.

Clare, I can highly recommend Mike Guilliard - http://www.mikeguilliard.co.uk/index.html - he did both Will and Martha's hips/elbows under sedation and is very accurate in his assessment of the scores. He's also much nearer.

Lynda

> 8 hour round trip

I hope you don't mind me asking but what is so different about what this Marilyn does when xraying hips that makes such a long journey worthwhile?

> Plus, of course, you don't get an accurate result because of the natural tenseness and muscle resistance of a conscious animal.

Maybe that is why people want it done. Is the score better when an animal is consious?

I know it's not technically right, but having lost a dog under GA for a non-essential (dental) procedure, I will not risk it for x-rays.  I realise that statistically very few dogs die under GA, but mine did and there is really no getting over it :-( 

I have taken my biggest and most awkward dog to Marilyn, and it was fine and over in a few seconds.  I realise that it definitely wouldn't suit every dog/breed/owner though :-)

lilyowen, for me it is mainly the very mild sedation but other people's comments about the quality of x-rays made me consider going in the first place.  Also, Marilyn's costs plus my petrol costs are still less than my local vet would charge!!

> Also, Marilyn's costs plus my petrol costs are still less than my local vet would charge!!

Gosh, your vet must charge a ridiculous amount to make that worthwhile. I had one done earlier this year and it was £150 including the BVA fee. is Marilyn much less than this?

My vet quoted over £200 just for the hip x-rays, they weren't sure they could do elbows... and they use GA.  I did speak to my friend who is a vet there and she actually said she wouldn't do it, she didn't feel she was experienced enough to take BVA quality plates (I appreciated the honesty).  From memory Marilyn's costs were about £90 for hips and elbows, plus the BVA fee. 

Hi, when I was looking into this, I recall seeing on this forum someone who recommended a place in Dewsbury, and also Doncaster, so much closer, hopefuly they will come on with the details.
I know Marilyn is priced very competetively, but a shorter journey is going to be so much easier on the dogs, and with the cost of fuel it would pan out around the same.

Well I can thoroughly recommend Ewan Bryson at Malpas in Cheshire, reasonably priced but an excellent and very experienced Vet for hips and elbows. He only uses sedation.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look up the Cheshire one.  I have actually contacted the Dewsbury one, but they won't do elbows for new clients (only existing ones - bit odd?).  To be honest cost isn't really a motivation here, just the very light sedation and of course good plates.  It's worth ringing around a few as you are very right that a shorter journey is nicer for the dogs (hence why I was trying to find an appointment when I'll be in Winchester anyway).  I'll try and find out about the Doncaster one and I think there's one in Garstang too.

I completely understand CVL we had a bad experience going to a 'high street vets' (it was a very large chain and at their East London based vetinary hospital which is meant to be excellent).  Luckily our girl was fine and recovered well from her GA but £390 later they had lost the plates and told us we'd have to have her re-done but they'd do it at a reduced cost!!!! Extremely unimpressed. 

Because of this and the fact that Marilyn is recommended more than anyone else on here I think I'll be going to her. Obviously if i decide the low sedation is too traumatic of course we won't go back with any other dogs.  The drive for us is only around 2 hours (in fact there's only 2 shows with CC's available for us within a 2 hour radius so its not too bad at all). 

Interested to see the other suggestions though and will definately be having a bit more of a read up

Thanks as always!

I took my bitch (Hungarian Vizsla) to Marilyn and it was excellent.  During the couple of weeks leading up to it I got her used to being completely on her back which might have helped.  The sedation was very light indeed (administered by a vet).  I held her front legs & another lady held her back legs & tail.  It's done on the floor (but on something fairly soft) so I think that keeps the dog calmer.  They look at the x-rays there & then to check they are sharp enough.  The cost was very reasonable - I just wish I had had elbows done at the same time!

Don't know if it has changed but I really didn't like the way it was done when I took my bitch to Marilyn 13 years ago. Bred this year and my vet at the time (I've now moved) only charged £70 for GA and the hip x-rays so very surprised and pleased with that as heard it could be a lot more from other people round the country.

could someone please PM me Marilyn's contact number as I'd like to get my dogs booked in and it seems to be the best kept secret in the dog world.  Everyone knows it but no-one will publish it!

Thanks