The AIS PennHIP procedure is a relatively new method of obtaining information that can help veterinarians, breeders, and pet owners identify and manage dogs that are at risk of developing canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Dr. Sexton is now an AIS PennHIP certified veterinarian. Call today to schedule your consultation to discuss why it would be beneficial for your dog to be tested for CHD.

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is an inheritable bone disease that is painful and causes arthritis and lameness in dogs. Despite the hip screening that veterinarians have done up to this point and selective breeding protocols, there has not been a decrease in the number of CHD dogs born.

PennHIP was introduced clinically in 1993 as a science-based stress radiographic method for determining hip joint laxity and the development of osteoarthritis (OA). However, how you measure hip laxity is critical. Hip laxity appearing on the hip radiographs that have been used up to this point have not been shown to accurately predict to chance of a dog developing CHD. 

A major advantage of the PennHIP method is its proven efficacy to evaluate young dogs (16 weeks of age and older) and to predict with clinical accuracy the risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) later in life. Of equal importance, however, is its ability to identify those dogs with tight hips that are not at risk to develop OA. Using the PennHIP method of hip evaluation, veterinarians can test dogs early in life to determine the risk of developing hip dysplasia. With this information preventative and therapeutic measures to offset the risk and treat pain can be prescribed. For future generation of dogs, time tested principles of genetics combined with PennHIP laxity data forms a powerful tool for breeders to make real improvement in the hip quality of dogs.