We are proud to offer Penn Hip X-Ray Screenings for Hip Dysplasia in dogs.
What is Penn Hip Screening?
It is a set of hip x-rays taken and compared to a breed-specific standardized set of measurements used to predict the likelihood of hip dysplasia (developmental malformed hips) and early onset hip arthritis. It is the most accurate way to predict hip arthritis risk in a young dog and can be done as early as 16 weeks old (unlike OFA hip x-rays that require the dog to be 24 months old for certification). This is really important for dogs that are destined to be breeding dogs – knowing the hip dysplasia status of a breeding pair of dogs helps breeders make informed decisions about what dogs to cross in order to make the healthiest puppies possible. Only certified Penn Hip-trained veterinarians can perform the Penn Hip Screening.
Why do we care about hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is caused by a variety of factors, but genetics are a big player. Hip dysplasia and its long term effects (arthritis from the ill fitting hips and daily wear and tear on a malformed joint) can be life changing or life-shortening in many dogs. Hip dysplasia and its effects can vary in severity – from mild arthritis (causing stiffness when rising after lying in one position too long) to crippling bone on bone arthritis in young dogs (leading to the need for total hip replacements or euthanasia to relieve chronic pain and suffering). Arthritis is progressive disease, so if hip arthritis is found in a young adult dog and is not addressed, it can lead to a shortened lifespan from long term pain and suffering. Knowing your dog’s risk of developmental hip dysplasia helps us come up with a plan to reduce the risk of severe joint pain and to help support the dog’s joints to keep them arthritis free as long as possible. It also helps us reduce pain down the road by having a spectrum of medications and supplements at our disposal to add to over time. If we don’t identify your dog’s hip dysplasia until the dog has already developed end-stage bone on bone arthritis, our ability to help your dog stay pain free is severely limited.
How does the Penn Hip Screening work?
Your dog has a checkup to make sure they are healthy enough for sedation (the dog must be very still with all their muscles relaxed to get the right x-ray pictures, so sedation is a must). Once we determine that your dog can safely undergo sedation, a injection of short term sedative is given. X-rays are taken, and a medication is given to help the sedative wear off. After your dog is awake, it can go home – no long stay needed! The X-ray images are sent to board certified radiologists who make the measurements and send back a report (this usually takes a week or two). Occasionally a dog will be sore after waking up from the sedation due to the positions we have to put them in to take the x-ray pictures (which is why we always do these x-rays with sedation). This soreness is manageable with a short course of anti-inflammatories if needed.
Check out the link below for more information: Penn Hip FAQ Antech Imaging Services
