Anyone do hiptesting on a spayed/neutered dog to ensure breeder guarantee at 2 y/o?

[Bonne Bouche]

Maybe a very odd question, but has anyone done a precautionary OFA or PennHIP test on their doodle just because?

What I mean is, BB is neutered, so we have no need to test him for breeding purposes, however our breeder guarantees hips up till 2 years of age. BB has no indication that he has any hip problems, but I'm about to renew our Wellness Embrace coverage, and if we choose wellness+ it would cover hip testing, the basic wellness plan does not. I doubt we would need the wellness+ It wouldn't be "free", but if we did find something, it would be beneficial to know NOW rather than in a couple of years...

Just curious if anyone else has tested hips without any physical signs of hip problems...  Also, if hips are NOT a problem before 2 years of age, (and weight is managed properly throughout the lifetime) is it common for hip problems to develop later in life?

Edited: I didn't realize that OFA and PennHIP testing requires sedation. It clearly isn't something that should be done without just cause, for which BB does not have. Check out the video posted below for a very insightful perspective on hip dysplasia and hip testing (Thanks Ricki!)

[Adina P]

Well the dog does have to be anesthetized so that is one reason most people don't do it.  Also I think that unless there is a sign of hip dysplasia the dog demonstrates (via evident pain or affected gait or limping, etc), OFA and PennHIP probably wouldn't show much.  I think most breeder warranties guarantee against hip dysplasia and finding hips that aren't frank dysplasia wouldn't give you much.  Just my rambling thoughts.

[Bonne Bouche]

I had no idea the dog needed anesthetized. I guess it makes sense to position properly. I kind of just thought it was an x-ray!

silly me

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I had no idea either. I had it in the back of my mind to get Winston checked at some point. I guess there is no need for that. I'm glad you posted this!

[Bonne Bouche]

Thanks, I'm glad I am not alone! ;-]

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm not sure of the point about not showing much although I agree with the rest. A young dog might not show any clinical signs but the tightness of the hips and how the femur sits in the joint might be evidence of hip dysplasia long before gait problems develop. Breeders seem to be surprised at times by poor hip results that might indicate potential for problems later on but the dog itself seemed fine.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Funny you should mention this but I was thinking along similar lines. I was interviewing a new potential vet the other day and one of the questions I asked was whether he would do a manual hip check on Riley when he has his wellness visit.  I wasn't thinking of the complete vigorous testing just a feel about for any problems.  I was particularly thinking about that two year cut off.

[Bonne Bouche]

WHat did he say?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

He said yes he would do the manual check if I wanted but that it wasn't a definitive test.  I saw a youtube video someone posted here of the manual test very recently.  (It reminded me of the one done one a newborn babies hips).  They rotate them while the dog is lying on his back.  I don't remember who posted the video/?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Is this the one, Nicky?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Yep, that's it.  I just watched it again and I see that this test is usually done under anesthesia.  I'm definitely not doing it if it requires that though.   Thanks for posting it again though because it is useful.

[Bonne Bouche]

WOW, great video, it made me cringe in a few places though. poor puppies!!! ;-( I did not like that "clicking" sound AT ALL!

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

My vet also did a manual test on Zach because he has such a funny gait- He did not put him on his back when he was on his awake. It is hard to get a good evaluation when they are awake though. He then did a more thorough one when he was under for his neuter. He said that they felt fine. He just has a wiggle in his walk.