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!)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Best thing you can do is make sure they get appropriate exercise, good general nutrition, and keep their weight down. Overweight dogs are at much greater risk of orthopedic issues, especially as they age.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

At the risk of being the most hokumed member of DK  I will, once again, bravely post about non researched, anecdotal stories about  successful use of supplements for hip dysplasia. Since dogs, unlike humans cannot experience the "placebo effect" there may be some validity to these experiences and I would certainly not hesitate to try some of these on my dog if they had CHD.  I have had success using vitamin C with a past dog with CHD.

Let the hokuming begin...

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/hip_dysplasia.html

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

HOKUM!! Joking, i have no idea about this stuff. You are very brave Tara Ricki.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks for the Hokum, SSWTK. That makes about 5 for the year. I think I am averaging about one a week. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Are we talking only 2012?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, I lost track of it last year. This year I am striving to win the DK Hokum award.

[F, Calla & Luca]

A worthy goal. Now we will have to come up with a fitting prize : )

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I hope it's not a disembodied hand with a turtle on it!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I don't think Karen is going to hand that over to you :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, no. We are nothing if not original : )

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thank goodness most of us have a sense of humor otherwise we'd be in big trouble!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I vote for a 20 x 24 picture of this:

Of course, it should be framed and signed by you :)