Ofa

[Dobs4ever]

I read some interesting info on OFA the other day - Since it's inception the rate of hip dysplasia has not improved more than 1%. I have to ask myself what is all the big deal about OFA if we are not making a difference?

We know dogs that are dysplastic can produce puppies that are not and vice versa - dogs that are excellent can produce puppies that are dysplastic. It is a polygenic gene which means more than one gene contributes to the final outcome.

I have never held a lot of credibility in their findings as it is subjective on any given day and depending on who reads it but 3 vets do have to agree on the final rating.

I worked for a Chiropractor for a number of years and took X rays so do have a little understaning on how to read them. There is also a lot of variance in the placement of the dog when x rayed as to the outcome. I have heard of people taking several X rays until they get the reading they want. Anyone hear of this?? I do know that OFA says if you are resubmitting X rays you should give them the info from the first. My concern with this is, why would they reverse their first opinion as I feel they would be admitting that they were wrong the first time. Can you tell I am a little skeptical.

[RKCM]

I read an article in the Pom Review on OFA and some other topics that AKC put on for breeders. I asked to reprint the article on another forum and they send me a link. It was written by Geneva Coats not by the vet, except where quoted.

It is worth reading and considering.

http://mysite.verizon.net/coatcloset/id63.html


I OfA my dogs but back in the day the old timers did not and frankly, I did not years ago. Although, have never bred much. I am considering using Penn hip on my dogs in the future but am still researching it. There are vets locally that can do it but it is not available in all areas. I guess it is better than nothing.

Note two, the article is not giving you information on where he got his figures and what breed.

[RKCM]

I read some interesting info on OFA the other day - Since it's inception the rate of hip dysplasia has not improved more than 1%. I have to ask myself what is all the big deal about OFA if we are not making a difference?

We know dogs that are dysplastic can produce puppies that are not and vice versa - dogs that are excellent can produce puppies that are dysplastic. It is a polygenic gene which means more than one gene contributes to the final outcome.

I have never held a lot of credibility in their findings as it is subjective on any given day and depending on who reads it but 3 vets do have to agree on the final rating.

I worked for a Chiropractor for a number of years and took X rays so do have a little understaning on how to read them. There is also a lot of variance in the placement of the dog when x rayed as to the outcome. I have heard of people taking several X rays until they get the reading they want. Anyone hear of this?? I do know that OFA says if you are resubmitting X rays you should give them the info from the first. My concern with this is, why would they reverse their first opinion as I feel they would be admitting that they were wrong the first time. Can you tell I am a little skeptical.

When I OFA my dogs, I was told to go to this certain vet that positioned them better. Well, I didn't do that because I thought I wanted an opinion, not just present a good rating. I have been told that there are people that keep Xraying to get better or passing rating....to me, I just think that's deceptive. It makes a little more sense now but think Penn Hips may be a better test.

I always thought that 3 vets reviewed the Xrays and that you received the lowest rating. I am not sure about that though.

[Dobs4ever]

i have only done one X ray also. - It is either good or not but I do know it is subjective based on how the three vets perceive it on any given day. I personally think it more of a joke but they have made a ton of money based on their program and only the OFA rating is recorded on AKC info so again AKC has you locked into their system for the most part.

I did find a vet not too far away that does penn hip so might give it a try. You just can't get a chic # without OFA.

[RKCM]

Can you explain the Chic?

[RKCM]

I am considering Penn Hip too but wanted to share a story about testing.

When I got my first dobie from a very respected breeder, we intended to show him. His ears didn't stand and we didn't show the dog. We bred him to a friend's dog and didn't test. Now back in those days, a lot of old timers didn't. I had just moved to a new city and a dpca member came over and told me that I should do all these testings. I checked and didn't understand the reasoning. Now part of the reasoning was that this lady had bred a dog that failed his OFA. I thought she wants me to test my dog that is well bred out of two BIS dogs and she bred a dog that didn't pass his OFA. I understand that better now. And have always said I was wrong for not testing the dogs but caught a lot of flack for not testing. Luckily, all those puppies are still alive and were healthy and completed UD, OAJ...OJ etc.....of which was a credit to the handlers, not me as the owner of the stud dog. So if anyone is reading this that is considering not testing, don't do that. It does give you some information. Something is better than nothing.

[RKCM]

Here a link to vets that do penn hip evaluations.

http://www.pennhip.org/locatevet.html

[Dobs4ever]

RCKM - I understand what you are saying and we do a lot of things because of pressure not because it is a good test or because it has made a difference. The one liegitimate test we have Vwd most breeders scoff at.

Anyway - If your dog has every single "approved" test through the AKC registry plus take a WAE then it can get a CHIC #. It just means you have met the requirements as set forth by the DPCA. I think at last count ther were approximatley 69 dobes with chic #. Not very many- Ayla only lack her holter to meet all requirements. I did her echo at UDC Natls.

[RKCM]

I really have NOT been one to fall for the peer pressure. I long ago outgrew that. Lol. It's a tactic to use when you have nothing else....lol.

But I would say that my dog's health and testing is important to me and why I'm considering the DI method of testing hips. One of the main reasons is that you can avoid some of the suffering from hip pain. I've only known that one dog that has ever failed OFA. I'm sure there is more. I I think that's one of the best reasons to use it. I am sure it doesn't hurt to do both.

[Dobs4ever]

OOOPS I forgot - Eika only lacks her echo as I have her holter done. Our club worked hard and purchased a holter back when they put them on sale last year. So I am very glad to have it. Since I am president of the club I was able to push it through for our club members.

As you can see I also could care less about peer pressure. The old time breeders IMO know more than all these new fangled fancy breeders with all their high and mighty ideas based on scientific hypothisand theory which has been proved wrong many many times.

[Dravens]

http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/chicinfo.html
Can you explain the Chic?

[RKCM]

Thanks Draven for the referenced site.

Does anyone know if the Penn Hip evaluation has a database to see what dogs have been tested? I couldn't find one and maybe why some are not using it. Not sure.