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]

Yeah if dogs were filling out the surveys or pain-level forms before and after the dose then we could cancel out the placebo effect...or if we were comparing hip xrays or specific OFA/PennHIP readings then we could rule out the placebo effect.  But if it is based on owners evaluating their dogs happiness or comfort, then it's hard to really know. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

This discussion has been going on for awhile, so this may be a bit late. 

1) Parent certification of hips, eyes etc does not guarantee that the puppies will absolutely not have that tested trait.  The traits are recessive and can "hide" many generations.  What the guarantee is for is that the puppy you buy will not show hip problems by the age of two.  That is be born and sold with such bad hip dysplasia that the puppy is already or soon limping, dragging etc and will need surgery soon if not immediately.

2) Hip problems can and do occur without any x-ray evidence of displasia as a young dog.  Just like us ( well at least me!) getting old wears things down, out, over, and through.

3) I had a golden who showed a slight xray displasia as a young dog.  She stayed a healthy weight and activity level all her life. As she grew older I gave her supplements ( who knows if it 'worked') then rimadyl starting at about 12, around fourteen she lost the use of one back leg and by nearly fifteen she crossed the rainbow bridge having finally worn out the other back leg.  Now she has four great legs again.