I think Sherry meant to forward this to the list--my response is at the
bottom:
-------Original Message-------
In a message dated 11/6/2002 3:18:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
"Assuming a fairly cooperative dog, I think practice makes perfect. A vet
or
tech that does many xrays for orthopedic evaluation will do a better job
than
someone who's usually doing it to confirm crippling dysplasia in a pet
dog....with or without meds. "
I can not agree more with this statement..When I sell puppies I ask that
they be x-rayed and the films sent to me.. I then include the films in a
litter packet and send them on to OFA.
I have to tell you that I have seen MANY films that have been sent to me by
vets that were AWFUL.
I have had vets tell puppy owners that their dogs were dysplastic ..only to
have the films sent to me and find out that the dog is positioned poorly..
that the pelvis is tilted or the knees aren't in the proper position.
2 vets even wanted to do TPO surgery on 6 month old puppies that has films
done when they were neutered..These vets told these owners that they should
do the procedure now before any problems occurred.
These owners called me and I asked to see a copy of the films,, BOTH were
crooked.. One had a tilted pelvis. The other was a fairly good film the
knees could have benn pulled in a bit more.. based on all the films that I
have seen and done I would say that these were passing films.. Maybe not an
excellent but most likely passing.Definately not something requiring surgery
Neither one was symptomatic.
Vets don't want to hear that from a "breeder" though. I asked 2 of the vets
at the clinic where I work to look at the films and both agreed that they
were not surgical candidates but that if the owners were not sure they
should get a second opinion in 6 months from an orthopedic vet.
I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place with the issue of x-rays.
On one hand as a breeder I feel that I should know what I am producing as
far as whole litter orthopedics. I therefore require my puppy owners to do
the x-rays.. I do get them to comply but then they get films taken like the
situations that I just mentioned. Now the puppy owners feel like there is
somthing wrong with their puppy. Actually there is nothing wrong except the
films are taken poorly. I can't ask them to have them re-taken after they
just paid for the first set. The vets mostly have the attitude that I am
just a breeder what do I know..
I am no further ahead than I was before the films were taken and now the
Puppy owners don't know what to think..
What is the right answer??
I have to say that I am more than a bit frustrated with this whole situation
Anyone have thoughts on this??
Sherry
Von Engel BMD's
================================
Sherry, you have very valid points!! It makes you wonder if some vets are
out there trying to find ways to make money -- versus others that are just
good vets!!! I must also say it is SPECTACULAR that you are able to get your
puppy owners to do the xraying!! KUDOS TO YOU!!!!! Perhaps you can also put
in your puppy packet the difference between a vet that just does an xray,
and a vet/specialist that knows what they are doing -- I'm not sure how to
word it ... but you get my point.
Obviously with pet owners (no showing/breeding) the person that benefits
most from doing the xrays (and eyes, etc.) is YOU -- the breeder. This is
really the ONLY way for you to truly know exactly what you are producing. My
suggestion would have to be, depending on the xray and results - should they
be bad (potentially) because of positioning (i.e. no arthritic changes
present) -- then maybe you should offer to paty to have the xrays done again
by a different vet (your choice if they are close to you). Yes, this could
be costly over time ... but we don't breed for money -- at least those of us
that are responsible!! :o)
We must also educate owners that there are thousands of NO-SYMPTOMATIC dogs
out there with HD, some quite bad ... that live forever and you'd never know
they had it, unless you xrayed them. If there is no pain, and no outward
effects of having HD -- please PLEASE PLEASE don't do surgeries. They don't
always work, and the dog could end up worse off than they were. All it means
knowing, is that you keep your dog lean, muscled, and yet not over
excersized -- no agility. Just to go at the dog's pace.
Seems simple enough to me. (ahh, if only life WERE simple ... to be a Berner
..)
Cheers!
Tracey
