Along with the traction mats and making sure that we try to breed to OFA or its equivalent in the UK hip, elbow, and patella testing scheme, we entered 3 of our young potential breeding cockers into a new OFA Hip study that is being run by the University of Missouri veterinary program. The general premise is to find an early detection method using signs of inflammation in the blood, serum, and urine to find those dogs that are more likely to have dysplastic hips so that those breeders and owners that put their dogs into training at the age of 5-6 months of age, can have a tool to find those dogs that could have issues before spending thousands of dollars on them only to find that they will not suite for the purpose intended. It also gives owners a heads up that potential issues could arise that might possibly be mitigated with extra care, supplements, or in severe cases, surgical intervention. In order to qualify for the study, the pups had to be enrolled soon after birth, and the study was limited to a certain number. It will take a minimum of 4 yrs to conclude in order to have all of the enrolled reach 2 yrs of age and to be finished with all of the testing. The first tests required were at the age of 4-6 months of age and included blood, serum, and urine sampling, all to be collected on the same day, and sent to the Univ. of MO. This required a LOT of blood to be drawn because they needed 3-5 mils of blood, and another 3-5 mils of plasma serum. The urine collection was also tricky because of the amount needed and that it had to be sterile. Trying to collect a sterile urine sample from a very active 4 month old puppy is next to impossible "naturally" so we opted for the needle to the bladder option. All of the samples were then labeled, packaged, and sent overnight. We opted to do this at 4 months due to the test trying to find signs of inflammation---which most puppies experience a LOT of inflammation at that age due to teething, which could start as early as 4 months of age in small breed dogs, and it could last for 2 months. They are also subject to inflammation caused from receiving their last core vaccinations, along with any other vaccines such as the Leptosporosis, additional stand alone Parvo in endemic areas, and kennel cough if boarding. Add in their Rabies vaccination at that time as well and you get a body and immune system that is taking hit after hit after hit. So lots of chances for inflammation. We wanted to minimize the chance of inflammation so we did the blood and urine draws before we gave the pups their core vaccination and rabies vaccines to give the study a more "accurate" reading. The second part of the study is at one year of age and consists of preliminary OFA radiographs of the hips and elbows. We also opted to have their patellas checked at that time as well. The study program pays for the submission of all OFA testing for the life of the dog- we just have to pay for the vet bill portion. So far we have prelim'ed 2 of the 3 with the third pup going in for her prelims this month. Now for the most important part. For the first pup we went to our "regular" vet for his radiographs. They are very economical but it wasn't really the best choice for this type of testing. So with the positioning "not the "best". As such, for the next 2 we switched to using our reproductive vet that has better equipment, he does all of the x-rays, uses a radiograph "cradle" to get the best positioning, and he does them with the owner present so that they can view and discuss the x-rays prior to sending them in. More expensive but that adage "you get what you pay for" applies! The third part of the study happens at the age of 2 yrs when the hip and elbow radiographs are taken for the dogs' OFA finals. Once the study ends in early 2025 and the results are tabulated, we are to receive a copy of the studies findings. We are looking forward to seeing if this study produces a viable way of early testing for dysplasia. The photo included is of our 3rd generation Labrador, Firehouselabs Super Pandemic "Rona"'s final OFA radiographs of her hips, taken at my reproductive vet's office. These were rated as OFA Excellent.
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