OFA question?

[Muttkip]

Does my regular vet X-ray Outlaw's hips and elbows when he turns 2 or do I see a specialist?
Do they turn it into the OFA or do I?
How long do the results usually take?

 

[release the hounds]

I would find a vet that routinely does OFA xrays. I've seen lots of pretty subpar xrays for OFA submission from regular type vets. Poor exposures, though with digital xray that shouldn't be an issue, poor positioning, needing to sedate for every xray and still not getting good position, etc. Not that they're all like that. Mine actually takes pretty good ones, she takes them for a number of other people I train with, but I still drive 2 hours to get mine done. No sedation, quick and easy and perfect every time.

 

[monkeys23]

It is worth asking around if you have sport/breeder contacts. Good references are where its at. I got lucky, my regular vet does OFA routinely and she is an orthopedic specialist. Never did OFA, but Lily had knee/hip rads to check out long term effects of an old knee injury. No sedation and great positioning. Hips look lovely and it was a relief to see how slight the right knee inflammation really was. I decided not to scope because our management route is the same whether the slight tear was meniscus or acl.

The vet turns it in and I believe it takes a couple months to get the results back. www.offa.org has the guidelines and forms online.

Btw you've done a great job with Outlaw and he is gorgeous.

 

[PlottMom]

I'd just find a clinic who is used to doing them. I did Rage's at work when we spayed her (she was already anesthetized so I just took her rads before prepping her) and I sent them in myself - the form is pretty self-explanatory, just make sure you take it with you when you get his rads done because it will require a veterinarian signature. I simply included the disc with her rads on it, and the form in one big envelope.

 

[Southpaw]

We do OFA rads where I work and have the owners send them in. We don't sedate unless the dog is really uncooperative about it. We don't do them a ton but we've never had any issues, I think any clinic that is used to doing them should be fine. So probably I'd start by asking your regular clinic and go from there.

 

[SpringerLover]

My regular vet did Buzz's. But they take a lot of OFAs. Bailey's breeder took her hips and my regular vet took her elbows (years apart). I went to the most well known for getting good quality xrays vet for Gabby's. I will probably return.

 

[Elrohwen]

I just had Waston done in late September. My regular vet did it, but definitely ask around to find vets who are proficient in it, because positioning matters. They don't need to be a specialist by any means, but they should do OFA xrays regularly and get good results. Breeders and sport people in the area will be able to tell you where they went.

The vet sent in all the paperwork, but I think that might vary. I had to send in the eye exam stuff, which was done at a specialist, so it might be up to the office whether they want to deal with it.

I had the results exactly 2 weeks after the xrays were taken. According to my breeder this was quicker than normal - her experience is about 3 weeks. They will send you a certificate, and then the results will go online a few days later.

 

[elegy]

We do them at work and send them in for the client. My dogs' have taken 2-3 weeks for results.

I know there are vets who do them without sedation, but I think you get more accurate results with the dog asleep. It's not just a matter of being cooperative, but of natural muscle tension.