PENN HIP - The New Testing Scheme For Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is the most commonly inherited orthopaedic problem in the dog . It is an abnormal development of the hip ball-and-socket joint, the ball of the femur (femoral head) fits into the hip socket (acetabulum). Hip laxity refers to ‘looseness’ of the ball in the hip socket. Hip dysplasia is evident in all breeds but most common in medium to large breeds.
Studies have shown that dogs with looser hips (excessive laxity) are at higher risk of developing hip dysplasia than dogs with tighter hips (minimal hip laxity).
Canine hip dysplasia leads to hip arthritis causing pain, stiffness and diminished quality of life. It is well documented in medium to large breeds but can affect all breeds.
Many breeders will have their dogs assessed for hip dysplasia before they consider breeding.
Potential puppy owners should ask the breeder for the ‘hip score’ of the parent dogs to indicate the puppy’s chance of developing hip dysplasia. By breeding from dogs with ‘tight hips’ we aim to reduce the occurrence of hip arthritis.
PENNHIP is a laxity measurement scheme run by the University of Pennsylvania, USA. It is the only satisfactory measurement scheme for hip laxity (looseness of the hip joint). Vets must complete specialised training and quality control exercises before becoming certified to perform the PennHip procedure.
PENNHIP testing involves 3 x-rays of the hips in different positions to measure laxity. See images.
Before PENNHip scheme was developed, assessing a dog’s likelihood of hip dysplasia relied on the BVA scheme, a single x-ray, which looks for signs of arthritis in the hip joint and conformation of the joint (arthritis occurs as a result of hip laxity). However the onset of arthritis can vary over time in affected dogs, for example if a dog is x-rayed at 12 moths of age and the x-rays show no evidence of arthritis, there is still no clear indication in the future, because hip laxity has not been assessed.
PENNHIP gives a consistently repeatable measurement of hip laxity, regardless of age. PENNHIP can be performed from 16 weeks of age so we can tell very early on the dog’s propensity to develop arthritis in the future. A breeder can make then make a judgement of whether a puppy is suitable for breeding or should just be kept as a pet.
Please phone 01604 644171 to arrange an appointment with Jeremy Onyett, our PENNHIP certified vet.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is the most commonly inherited orthopaedic problem in the dog . It is an abnormal development of the hip ball-and-socket joint, the ball of the femur (femoral head) fits into the hip socket (acetabulum). Hip laxity refers to ‘looseness’ of the ball in the hip socket. Hip dysplasia is evident in all breeds but most common in medium to large breeds.
Studies have shown that dogs with looser hips (excessive laxity) are at higher risk of developing hip dysplasia than dogs with tighter hips (minimal hip laxity).
Canine hip dysplasia leads to hip arthritis causing pain, stiffness and diminished quality of life. It is well documented in medium to large breeds but can affect all breeds.
Many breeders will have their dogs assessed for hip dysplasia before they consider breeding.
Potential puppy owners should ask the breeder for the ‘hip score’ of the parent dogs to indicate the puppy’s chance of developing hip dysplasia. By breeding from dogs with ‘tight hips’ we aim to reduce the occurrence of hip arthritis.
PENNHIP is a laxity measurement scheme run by the University of Pennsylvania, USA. It is the only satisfactory measurement scheme for hip laxity (looseness of the hip joint). Vets must complete specialised training and quality control exercises before becoming certified to perform the PennHip procedure.
PENNHIP testing involves 3 x-rays of the hips in different positions to measure laxity. See images.
Before PENNHip scheme was developed, assessing a dog’s likelihood of hip dysplasia relied on the BVA scheme, a single x-ray, which looks for signs of arthritis in the hip joint and conformation of the joint (arthritis occurs as a result of hip laxity). However the onset of arthritis can vary over time in affected dogs, for example if a dog is x-rayed at 12 moths of age and the x-rays show no evidence of arthritis, there is still no clear indication in the future, because hip laxity has not been assessed.
PENNHIP gives a consistently repeatable measurement of hip laxity, regardless of age. PENNHIP can be performed from 16 weeks of age so we can tell very early on the dog’s propensity to develop arthritis in the future. A breeder can make then make a judgement of whether a puppy is suitable for breeding or should just be kept as a pet.
Please phone 01604 644171 to arrange an appointment with Jeremy Onyett, our PENNHIP certified vet.
Penn Hip Extended to assess for arthritis not present in this dog
Penn Hip Compression-femoral heads sitting within the acetabulum (socket)
Penn Hip Distraction - This reveals excessive joint laxity in this dog, these hips are looser than they should be and are likely to develop problems in the future