what are the chances.............

[robotics]

What are the chances of hipscores coming back under the breed average when x-rays are showing that a dog has HD, 2 vets have looked at the x-rays and both confirmed HD is present. I am having a new set of x-rays taken and scored by the BVA, is there a chance they could come back under the breed average.

[robotics]

Forgot to ask, could a vet taking the x-rays be able to manipulate the hips, so the score could be lower

[lankeela]

Were the first set of plates sent away and scored? Only experienced pannelists can give an accurate reading of xray plates, although good vets can give an indication, especially if the hips are bad, and sometimes they can show up sort of a dotted line across them where arthritis has already set in. In this case I am afraid you would have no chance of a good score.

Even if the vets say they don't look good, you should have them sent off to be scored, otherwise the breed average will not reflect the true situation if everyone didn't sent off 'bad' plates.

[robotics]

Thanks for your reply iankeela, knew I could reply on you.

No the original plates were not sent off, but I am having a new set done and they will be sent off to the bva for scoring (i must be the only person that wants the hip scores to be high)

I am having them scored so they are published so that people can see them, yes I do agree with you, unless vets stop telling peeps not to send them in, then how can we get a true picture.

Again thank you for all your help, but the end to all this mess with my dog is getting near.........getting a bit scared. Will post the scores when I have them back................four weeks and counting

[lankeela]

The Breed Mean Score is 19, which is fairly good and although a dog may appear lame, only scored xrays can confirm the actual score and whether it is HD or some other condition. No-one can just look at a dog and say it has HD, although as I said before a good vet can read an xray plate and give you an idea.

On the other hand, some dogs can appear fine and yet get a high score, as their bodies can compensate and their muscles build up to support the poor hips. I had a GSD who could jump fences and into the car without a problem, and I was planning to breed from her. When she was xrayed the vet said they looked pretty bad and sure enough when they came back she had a score of 78 so was never bred from, although never suffered from any form of lameness.