You may have heard of hip dysplasia, But what exactly is it? And how do you know if your dog needs a HD X-ray? A HD X-ray for dogs is a gentle and precise X-ray examination that focuses specifically on your dog’s hips. This method is a standard procedure for assessing the severity of hip dysplasia and can help veterinarians develop a treatment plan to improve your dog’s quality of life. During a HD X-ray for dogs, your pet will be placed in a comfortable position – and images of the hips will be taken from different angles. We will carefully analyze the images to assess the condition of the hip joints and the degree of dysplasia. A HD X-ray is a quick and painless procedure that provides valuable information for us.
An early diagnosis of hip dysplasia through HD X-ray for dogs can help prevent further progression of the condition and reduce pain and discomfort for the animal. Early intervention with HD X-rays can also open up the possibility of treatment options such as physiotherapy, medication or in some cases surgery. Therefore, HD X-rays for dogs are an important tool to ensure a good quality of life for our furry family members.
Table of contents
Which dogs can develop HD?
All dogs can get HD – but it is most common in medium sized og large dog breedsIn order to gain an overview of and reduce the incidence of HD in dogs, a large international effort is being made to screen for the disease through HD X-rays.
This involves taking X-rays of a large number of dogs when they are over one year old. The images are then sent to a reading panel that reads the images and gives an HD grade based on internationally specified criteria.
HD is graded from free (A and B), weak (C), medium (D) to strong (E) degree of HD. In Norwegian dogs, the HD degree is then reported to the NKK – which uses it to generate a so-called HD index that is used in breeding work. A dog's HD degree and index are free available on NKK's pages.
What do you need to remember before the veterinary visit for HD X-ray of your dog?
Correct age of dog
The dog must be over 12 months old at the time of the HD X-ray. Some larger breeds are required to be over 18 months old at the time of the HD X-ray examination. As of 17.02.22, this applies to the following breeds:
- bullmastiff
- Great Dane of Bordeaux
- Great Dane
- leonberger
- Maremma
- English Mastiff
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Newfoundland dog
- landseer
- Great Pyrenees
- Saint Bernard dog
Find a vet approved for HD X-rays
HD X-rays must be taken by a veterinarian who is approved and has an agreement for this through the Norwegian Veterinary Association. This approval means that the veterinarian has completed a separate HD and AD course under the auspices of the Norwegian Veterinary Association and the Norwegian Veterinary Association. All of our veterinarians at A-Vet Smådyrklinikk are approved for HD X-rays and have an agreement with the Norwegian Veterinary Association.
Book an appointment for a dog's HD X-ray
Call or email to set up an appointment for your dog's HD X-ray. You can then ask any questions you may have and get a price estimate for the HD X-ray.
Order a reading from NKK for HD X-ray
Before the X-rays for HD X-ray can be taken, you must order a requisition from NKK. This is done via "My page" at nkk.no. User guide for how to order You can find the HD X-ray requisition here.
Anesthesia at the veterinarian during HD X-ray
In order for the images during HD X-ray to be taken correctly must the dog receive a short anesthetic. The veterinarian will therefore always do a quick health check (look at the mucous membranes, listen to the heart, feel for the pulse) before the dog is given an injection of anesthetic. The dog will then become tired within 5–15 minutes – and when it is tired enough, the veterinarian will take the dog to the back of the clinic for the HD X-ray procedure. There, a small area on the front leg is shaved and a venous catheter is inserted. Via the venous catheter, the dog receives anesthetic directly into the blood vessel. The X-ray images for the HD X-ray are then taken – and the veterinarian reviews these before they are sent to the NKK for interpretation. The dog is given an “antidote” to the anesthetic and usually wakes up quickly afterwards. The venous catheter is removed and a small patch is placed where it was.
What happens after the vet visit for HD X-rays?
It is not uncommon for the dog to be a little groggy after the anesthesia from the HD X-ray procedure. He can be fed as soon as he can walk straight – and you can remove the patch. It is good if you take it easy on the same day as the HD X-ray images were taken – that is, no long walks or wild rampages.
When the images have been received and read by NKK, you will receive an email with the results of the HD X-ray. The results will be published by NKK on DogWeb.
Do you want to book an appointment for HD X-rays for dogs? Call us, send an email or book an appointment using the button below.
