Key Points
PennHip is a noninvasive simple test that can be used to screen dogs as young as 4 months of age for hip looseness, which may lead to hip dysplasia
PennHip is a great tool to identify young dogs that should have the Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis surgery to prevent hip dysplasia
PennHip is a great tool to assist in the elimination of hip dysplasia from a breeding group
PennHip radiographs can only be done by someone who is PennHip-certified
What is PennHIP?
- It is a special technique of positioning the hips so that the looseness of the hips can be evaluated
- Loose hips have a very high risk for development of hip arthritis, which could cause severe debilitation
Reasons to have your dog evaluated using the PennHIP technique
- To eliminate the potential of hip dysplasia from your breeding stock
- To try to predict the potential risk of your dog developing hip dysplasia so that a preventative procedure called the JPS or juvenile pubic symphysiodesis can be preformed
What is OFA?
- OFA is the standard method of x-raying hips for hip certification which has been used for a number of decades
- This test is used to certify hips for breeding purposes
- OFA hip radiograph certification cannot be done until a dog is 24 months of age
- The OFA radiographs of the hips are taken as shown below; below right the dog is positioned on its back with the hind limbs extended; the resultant radiographs are below left
- The radiologist will give an estimation of the looseness of the hips and the amount of arthritis present, then give a subjective score of the hips
What is the advantage of using the PennHIP technique over OFA?
- The PennHIP can be done as early as 4 months of age
- A more objective estimation of hip looseness is made with the PennHIP technique versus OFA
- The PennHIP can eliminate the hip dysplasia genes out of breeding stock at a much quicker rate than OFA
- The PennHIP technique can be used to test to see if your pet is a candidate for a surgery to prevent debilitating dysplasia and arthritis of the hips
How is the PennHIP performed?
- Your pet will be sedated during the procedure to help with positioning
- Five radiographs of the hips will be made
- one hip extended view as shown above
- one compression radiograph as shown below; this view shows the maximal amount that the ball of the hip will seat into the hip socket; below left shows two water jugs placed on the sides of the hips and the thighs being spread apart slightly
- three distraction radiographs are made using the patented hip distractor; three radiographs are made to ensure that a consistent amount of laxity of the hips is measured; in the photo below left the distractor has been placed between the thighs; a small amount of pressure is applied so that knees come together slightly (called adduction); the resultant radiograph is seen below right
Interpretation of PennHIP results
- When the results come back from the radiologist, the distractive index or DI is reported
- The DI will indicate the degree of looseness of the hips
- The DI of your dog will be ranked on a bell curve relative to other dogs within the breed group
- The report will not give a score of excellent, good, fair etc, such as is reported by the OFA
- Some interpretation of the results and recommendation for breeding will be made by us at your request
Potential complications of the PennHIP
- Death from the sedative medications is extremely rare, but possible
- Slightly discomfort of the thighs may be experienced by some dogs for about 24 hours; Aspirin 325 mg tablet – 1 tablet per 60 pounds of body weight can be administered twice daily if needed