Health Screening Tests

Canine hip dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joint) begins when the hip joint in a young dog is congenitally  loose or unstable. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this instability causes abnormal wear of the hip cartilage and ultimately progresses to osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Signs of this condition are pain, reluctance to get up or exercise, difficulty climbing stairs, a “bunny-hopping” gait, limping, and lameness, especially after periods of inactivity or exercise.

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Hip dysplasia most commonly affects large- and giant-breed dogs; however, smaller dogs and even cats can also be affected. Although genetics often play a role in this disorder, young dogs that grow or gain weight too quickly or get too much high-impact exercise are also at risk. Being overweight can aggravate hip dysplasia (and osteoarthritis in general).

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We can help prevent or slow this condition by monitoring food intake and ensuring that your dog gets proper exercise as he or she grows and develops. We can also screen your dog for hip dysplasia, using one of two methods. The earlier we diagnose hip dysplasia, the better the possible outcome for your dog.

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OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Certification:

We can radiograph your dog’s hips for hip dysplasia at 2 years of age or older.  We forward these radiographs to the OFA  where board-certified radiologists will  evaluate and grade your dog’s hips for OFA certification. Correct positioning of your dog is essential for proper radiographic evaluation, so a general anesthetic is required.  These radiographs cannot be done when a female dog is in heat.

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PennHIP Method:

We radiograph your dog’s hips using the PennHIP method for evaluating hip dysplasia in dogs.  This  can be performed much earlier (at 16 weeks of age) than OFA certification. It aslo requires a general anesthetic and  it involves x-raying your dog’s hips in three different positions to measure how loose the joints are and determine the presence or likelihood of osteoarthritis. If you are a breeder, consider using this test to help you select good breeding candidates at a younger age. If your dog competes athletically, consider using this technique to evaluate the future soundness of your dogs or puppies.

Please call us to discuss your dog’s risk of developing hip dysplasia, to schedule a screening, or to discuss treatment options.