Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Radiographs
OFA radiographs, also known as X-rays, are a vital part of veterinary medicine for the diagnosis and management of orthopedic diseases.
Hip Dysplasia Evaluation
Using the OFA radiograph, veterinarians can assess the fit of a dog's hip joint and assign a rating based on the severity of the dysplasia. This helps breeders to make more informed decisions about their animals, and can help to mitigate the occurrence and effects of hip dysplasia by ensuring that only healthy dogs are bred. Consequently, animals that have been bred with the help of OFA radiographs have a lower chance of experiencing hip dysplasia-related issues, resulting in a higher quality of life for the pet.
Elbow Dysplasia Diagnosis
OFA radiographs are useful for the diagnosis and management of elbow dysplasia, which can be debilitating for dogs that suffer from one of its forms. Through the use of radiographs, veterinarians can identify the appropriate form of dysplasia present in a dog and determine the best course of treatment. This helps ensure that any elbow dysplasia related pain and lameness can be reduced and possibly prevented.
Osteochondrosis
The OFA radiographs can help diagnose the severity of osteochondrosis in young dogs and provide guidance on how to treate the condition. The results of the radiograph not only identify the presence or absence of this condition, but also how serious it is. This allows veterinarians to create a comprehensive plan to help alleviate any pain, lameness and joint degeneration that is associated with osteochondrosis, allowing your pet to live a comfortable and happy life.
Other Uses for OFA Radiographs
In addition to the previously mentioned uses, OFA radiographs can be used to diagnose hip fractures, shoulder luxation, cruciate ligament ruptures, and monitor the healing of orthopedic surgery. This helps to ensure that your pet can undergo the necessary treatments to get back to their optimal level of health.
Radiograph Process
When doing an OFA radiograph exam, a pet needs to be sedated and the joint needs to be positioned properly before the radiograph is taken. The images are then sent to the OFA to be read by a team of radiologists with veterinary orthopedic experience. This increases the accuracy of the results, helping to ensure that you can trust the diagnosis and the proper treatment can be provided.
New Technologies
Thanks to digital radiography, radiation exposure can be kept to a minimum while providing more precise images. This means that for the same results, your pet will have to be exposed to less radiation, resulting in a safer experience.
Recap
OFA radiographs remain an invaluable vet tool that can provide important insights on a pet's health and orthopedic condition. The ability to accurately diagnose and manage diseases like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and osteochondrosis ensure that a pet's quality of life remains high and any associated risks can be kept to a minimum. New technologies have further improved the radiograph process, helping to ensure that you can have peace of mind when it comes to your pet's health.