PennHIP is a multifaceted radiographic canine hip screening program aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of osteoarthrosis associated with hip dysplasia. The technique assesses the canine hip and quantitatively measures hip joint laxity. The PennHIP method has been scientifically determined to be more accurate than the current standard.
Lynks Group and Peak Veterinary Referral Center are certified to perform the PennHIP study. We obtain the radiographs and these are then sent to the PennHIP Analysis Center to evaluate hip joint laxity. The degree of hip joint laxity is compared to a breed-specific database maintained by PennHIP. For more information, please visit the PennHIP website.
• Because sedation/anesthesia is required, please advise your clients to not feed their pet the morning of the PennHIP study.
• Your client will need to bring their dog’s AKC registration papers, ID chip information, and a completed PennHip form (see PennHIP website) to their appointment.
1. How old must my patient be to have the PennHIP study performed? The PennHIP method can be reliably performed on a dog as young as 16 weeks of age. Passive hip laxity at 16 weeks correlates highly with later hip laxity. In other words, a dog’s hip laxity at 16 weeks will be much the same at one year, two years or even three years.
2. Will the patient be sedated for the study? Diagnostic quality PennHIP radiographs require that the musculature around the hip joint be completely relaxed. For the comfort and safety of the patient, we require heavy sedation or general anesthesia.
3. When will my client know of the results of the study? They will receive a report directly from PennHip after the radiographs have been reviewed.