6 Month old GSD Apollo’s hip X-rays
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What did the vet say? Most vets aren't qualified to grade hips precisely from x-rays, even if they know how to take the x-rays well, but they should be able to tell you if there's an obvious issue on these images or not. If this dog is two years or older you (or your vet) should be able to submit the x-rays to the OFA for precise grading, and I think they'll do preliminary grading on dogs between 12-24 months. But again, your vet should be able to tell you if his hip joint conformation is bad enough to be causing the symptoms you're seeing, and work out a treatment plan if they are, since I'm assuming you mostly care about figuring out how to keep your boy healthy and pain-free.
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I was going to suggest that you post on the GSD forum, but I see that you already have. I agree with the opinions there that he's got fairly shallow sockets, and that having your vet send the x-rays to a board certified orthopedic surgeon for assessment would be a good idea.
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The title says the x rays are of a 6 month old puppy.
First of all 6 months is too young to evaluate hips. The SV (Germany) won't accept hip x rays under a year old and OFA won't certify until two years old. Preliminary hip exam can be done through OFA and even that is over a year old.
WAIT WAIT WAIT and redo x rays at a year and send to the SV along with Elbows for A stamp or other rating; OR wait until two years old and send to OFA with elbows. Keep your puppy off slippery surfaces, keep his weight lean, feed a good, balanced diet, no jumping until 14 months old (including for frisbees and toys) and WAIT until he is old enough to re-do the x rays and properly evaluate hips and elbows through SV or OFA.
First of all 6 months is too young to evaluate hips. The SV (Germany) won't accept hip x rays under a year old and OFA won't certify until two years old. Preliminary hip exam can be done through OFA and even that is over a year old.
WAIT WAIT WAIT and redo x rays at a year and send to the SV along with Elbows for A stamp or other rating; OR wait until two years old and send to OFA with elbows. Keep your puppy off slippery surfaces, keep his weight lean, feed a good, balanced diet, no jumping until 14 months old (including for frisbees and toys) and WAIT until he is old enough to re-do the x rays and properly evaluate hips and elbows through SV or OFA.
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Too young for certification through either OFA or the SV, yes. PennHIP evaluation can be done as early as 16 weeks.
For a dog already showing signs of dysplasia, early x-rays can be a very good idea, because some corrective procedures have better results when done at a fairly young age.
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To OP I had a GSD when I was younger and his hip sockets were very shallow when he was a few months old. When he was around 6 months I want to say his hip popped out of the socket. I took him to the vet and his x-rays showed very similarly to the ones you posted. His hip was reset and he was fine after that he never had a problem with his hips. Never had hip dysplasia. I will say though your pups ball of the femurs are pretty high up in the socket and his sockets are shallow to. He is also 6 months so I would either take him to someone who specializes in hips but I probably would wait until he was at least a year and see how he does.
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I came back to this.. and honestly, in a 6 month old dog with that positioning.. I would still wait. Of course, taking the xrays to a REPUTABLE Orth Vet with German Shepherd Experience and knowledge is never a bad thing.
Positioning is very important. Knee caps need to point straight up. These point a bit to the outside. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
I would still say WAIT. This is a very young dog.
Positioning is very important. Knee caps need to point straight up. These point a bit to the outside. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
I would still say WAIT. This is a very young dog.
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