Having just read the post about best age to hip score it has made me post this! :D

We have been considering having Bailey Hip-scored but we have concerns. It is not necessary as he is not going to be used as a stud even though he is entire and will stay that way for the forseeable future. Would you put a dog through a GA for the x-rays if they were not going to be used for breeding.

I want to have it done as we starting agility and want to know his hips are in good order but am still unsure wether it is worth the risk?

I will talk it through with the vet as well but wanted to know your options as well!

Tracy

Hi Tracey, I'd be inclined to feel that there is no benefit to knowing a dogs hip score, if he is never to be used at stud.I can understand your wish to prove that Bailey's hips are good, but what if they are not? My advice would be, enjoy your agility with Bailey as long as he is fit, a sensible weight,and not too young or too old, and you are not already suspicious about his hip health. X raying does involve an anaesthetic which is not without risk.
Great name, I have a Bailey too.
Dawn R.

Modern anasthetics are much safer, and especially if you plan to work the dog in a strenuous field I think Hip Scoring most useful. It is also helpful to the breed, and the breeder to have as many dogs tested as possible to give a ture picture of the breeds hip status.

If the dog needs to go under for any other reson then the hip x-rays can be done at the same time.

I wouldn't worry about the GA, but check what your vet uses, and that they dose him according to his weight, and not what they think he weighs.

Hi TJD
Your dog can be hip scored without GA as it can be done under sedation and then an injection to bring him round within about 5 mins.
Mine never have GA to have their hips scored.
It's up to you whether you have him done or not at the end of the day, if you're not breeding then it's not something you really need to do. :)
Tracey

I would definitely get your dog hip scored if you are intending to work agility Tracy. That way you know that you are not going to do any harm to the hips. I had Anna's hips scored in the main because I needed her to jump fences carrying a heavy load and needed to know her hips were up to the job. If they had been poor I would have modified her working pattern accordingly.

Regards, John

Hi
Sorry missed the bit about doing agility with him.....that changes everything......yes I would definitely say get them done ...
Tracey

Like John, I intend to have my younger labs hips scored as I will be working her and expecting her to jump and spend lots of time over rough ground etc. Also because I bred her, I am very interested to know what her hips are as both her mothers and fathers are very low.
Lorna

Ok I have decided that he is going to have them done - its just a case of when.

I am going to give my vets a ring first to see if they will do them under sedation if not I will try the other vets in my area as I am still not overly happy about him having a GA.

Thanks for your input its really made my mind up.

Tracy

I was just reading in our local paper that the Kennel club and British Vetinarary Asociation are doing evenings in the local community hall where you can take your dog and have it tested for eye problems, if its a success they hope to extend the scheme to other things like hip scoring, sounds like a great idea to me to get people more aware.

Although Chewi is very unlikely to be used at stud, I am still going to get his hips scored. This is so that his breeder can assess the results of her breeding programme better.

I'm not breeding Kassie but would still like to *know* what her hip score is:) Therefor will have it done towards the end of the year;)

Stacey x x x