re: OFA Xrays - benefit to PO?
based on your ofa results, you may decide that you do or don't want to do certain activities with your dog. for example, i show my dogs in obedience do draft work with them. i won't jump a dog with elbow dysplasia ( i will limit, as much as i can, the dog's chances to decide to jump something) i would probably not think about training for an open draft title, due to the greater weight that the dog has to pull. i might also start some supplementation (probably glucosamine or something similar) in an effort to head off future problems. lisa baldwin (dickens, bark zel) seattle, wa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
OFA Xrays - benefit to PO?
Our baby girl, Jewel just turned two on June 1 and she's scheduled tomorrow for OFA xrays. I understand her breeder wants to evaluate her breeding decisions and I support the open sharing of knowledge. But as a pet owner, what does this information mean to me? In the absence of symptoms, what guidelines should I use to determine how to limit (or increase) her activities based on the OFA ratings? Should I use these ratings to decide the necessity of supplimenting her diet with glucosamine? Thanks everyone! Rita Tim Ehrnfeldt w/ Jewel, CGC and two feline friends Howell, New Jersey = Support anti-Spam legislation. Join the fight http://www.cauce.org/ __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
Re: OFA Xrays - benefit to PO?
On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 08:51:00 -0700 (PDT) Rita [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Our baby girl, Jewel just turned two on June 1 and she's scheduled tomorrow for OFA xrays. I understand her breeder wants to evaluate her breeding decisions and I support the open sharing of knowledge. But as a pet owner, what does this information mean to me? In the absence of symptoms, what guidelines should I use to determine how to limit (or increase) her activities based on the OFA ratings? Should I use these ratings to decide the necessity of supplimenting her diet with glucosamine? Rita and Tim having your pet pup xrayed for OFA tells you much. If Jewel were to not be clear and asymptomatic you would know that keeping her weight down and encouraging moderate routine exercise should help to lengthen her quality of life. Yes a glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplement is not a bad idea either. While nothing may absolutely eliminate arthrosis doing what you can to minimize it is always a good idea. Of course each dog will progress in an individual manner so to say what is moderate exercise is based upon the individual dog's comfort zone. I have seen pet owners who have not xrayed their dogs and it isn't until the dog is older and quite arthritic that they discover the problem. Many times comfort could have been maintained had they been able to take earlier precautions. Susan Ablon Gweebarra BMD Balch Springs, Tx http://www.pageweb.com/gwebara
