Health Testing Help

[Sahara Boerboels]

Hi All,

Long time no speak! Lol.  I thought we could all get our thinking caps on and have a bit of a discussion on health testing.  I have been searching around to find the best, cost effective vet and most experienced vet to x-ray my girls hips and elbows to check for hip and elbow dysplasia.  The majority of vets choose to anaesthetise the dog when x-raying, the hips especially, as it keeps them 100% still and you have a better chance of getting an acurate x-ray because the positioning is more likely to be exactly as it needs to be.  But anaesthetic is expensive so bumps up the cost of the testing and there are also side effects to consider.

Yesterday I was referred to a woman who is used by CRUFTS and recommended by CRUFTS to carry out the x-rays as she has 25 years of experience and uses sedation as opposed to anaesthetic.  After visiting my very lovely and very helpful South African vet today he advised me that sedation is not the best way to go as you are less likely to get an accurate x-ray with sedation as the dog is still semi-aware of its surroundings and the "fight or flight" instinct can become an issue to cause the vet to take an inaccurate x-ray, use more films than is necessary (which costs more and increases the radiation) or use more and more sedation to put the dog further and further under.  Where as with anaesthetic it is easier to put the dog under without additional stress on the dog and bring them out quicker also.

My question is to those of you who have had little or alot of experience with health testing your BBs.  What option did you choose?  Where you offered a choice or even aware that you could choose? Lastly what, in your experience are the pros and cons of sedation and anaesthetic and what are your reasons of preference?

Also, how much has everyone paid for the testing of the hips and elbows?

I look forward to all your comments!

Krystle

[Jennifer Sider]

I went with PennHip because it is available in our area; gives you a hip distraction factor to work with; making sure you are not doubling up on 2 loose hips on the same side; for instance; and tells you the same as OFA whether the dog has any DJD at that moment in time. Elbow x-ray goes to our local Veterinary University; and is given a clear/not clear diagnosis.

 

Cost - $604 CDN including our crappy tax. That included 2 elbow xrays, 3 hip x-rays + an extra hip slide for myself.

 

The vet uses a combination of Dexmedetomidine and Butorphonol to sedate and then reverse the dexmedetomidine with atipamezole. Dora was out very quickly; I'd say within 5 minutes; breathing well; had an instinctual reflex to being rolled on her back (she doesn't like it; and tightened up for a few seconds; but they gave her another minute and she relaxed again) It took about 5 minutes for the x-rays, 5-7 minutes for them to be developed and make sure the positioning was good and the x-rays were clear and acceptable; and then they reversed it; and maybe another 5-7 minutes for her to be aware and get her faculties together. She was a bit dopey (hanging head; draggy limbs) for a couple more hours; but ate and went out for a short walk that evening. Next morning it was as if nothing happened.

[Sahara Boerboels]

Thanks Jennifer, that is really helpful.