would this be normal? xray as part of spay. inquiring about a spay and just included in the estimate was a HIP XRAY.?

Not normal at all...or....was this listed separately as an *option*? Because if someone was planning to get their dog's hips X-rayed at some point, a good time to have it done is when she's already under (anesthetic is the most expensive part of the procedure, not to mention it's better not to go under twice if it isn't necessary).

If it is automatically included in the price, ask the vet what discount you'd get if the X-ray wasn't done. If he won't give a reasonable reduction, go elsewhere.

"vets aren't qualified to read them and score the hips"

A good vet can certainly read them.

EDIT:

"a prebreeding test at SPAY?"

Hip X-rays are not just pre-breeding (though they should be). For example, if your dog has been previously bred (I'm not saying it has, I have no idea), one of your puppy-owners who intended to breed might want this info. Also, in some breeds that have more of a likelihood of getting HD, vets would see this as an inexpensive way for the owner to check, since often mild dysplasia doesn't show up until the later years.

If it's your whippet you're referring to, I know a whippet breeder very well and she DOES get the hips X-rayed. The breed's HD rate is only 1% but she wants to make sure that 1% is avoided in *her* breeding stock. Of course she does heart, eyes, etc. as well.

I'm not suggesting you need this X-ray done. Just giving you some reasons people would want them done even if their dog appears normal. Nothing wrong with the vet offering this as long as he doesn't insist it be done against your will.

I would ask your vet this and I would be very upset if he xrayed the dog without telling me. I've had dogs spayed before and while they did have some bloodwork pre-surgery, they did not ever have a hip xray.

I'd agree - this has to be discussed with your vet. I assume he had his reasons although frankly none of my bitches has needed to be x-rayed before or after being spayed.

Why wouldn't you ask the vet this question? We can't possibly know your vet's reasoning. Hip x-rays are only worthwhile if they're being sent to OFA for reading since vets aren't qualified to read them and score the hips.

Ask the vet.