PennHiP & JPS Surgery

HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip dysplasia refers to the anatomical misalignment of a dog’s hips. Dogs with dysplastic hips experience the head of the femur (thigh bone) luxating out of the acetabulum, or rim of their pelvis as they walk. This is a common problem in dogs that creates pain and cartilage wear in their hips.
Sadly many of these dogs experience early onset arthritis by the age of 2 years! For others it creeps up on them a little slower but either the way joint pain associated with degradation of the cartilage can be debilitating. These dogs can walk with a waddle, be slow to rise, have reduced hip range of motion, move slower than they used to, yelp randomly and may appear lame or sore after exercise.

Any dog can have hip dysplasia and suffer subsequent arthritis, however, some of the more common breeds we see at Illawarra Animal Hospital with hip dysplasia include Labradors, German Shepherds, French Bulldogs, Newfoundland, Mastiffs, Golden Retrievers and Labradoodles.

PENNHIP
Illawarra Animal Hospital is the only PennHIP accredited vets in the Illawarra.

We can take very high-quality images with our latest generation x-ray equipment using the PennHIP technique and send these x-rays digitally to a specialist radiologist. We’ll have a report back to you within 5 days advising your dogs distraction index (DI), a measure of hip laxity. The report will compare your dog‘s hips to other dogs of the same breed all over the world helping you to make informed decisions. PennHIP x-rays can be taken from 16 weeks facilitating early decisions. PennHIP is beneficial for Breeding Dogs, Puppies and Adult dogs with Hindlimb Pain, Hip Dysplasia or Osteoarthritis.

Want to learn more?

To learn more from our very own Dr Paul Partland visit; New Technique - prevent Hip Dysplasia - Wollongong Vet

Watch our video

PennHIP Options

PennHIP for Breeding Dogs
With hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in mind, some leading breeders are now using PennHIP x-rays to choose their breeding dogs wisely and minimise joint laxity and hip dysplasia in the litters they breed. Remember, less laxity of the hips means the development of less osteoarthritis and less pain! At 16 weeks suitability for breeding can be determined. Of course, other factors such as bodyweight, nutrition and muscle development are important too but good hips start with great genetics!
PennHIP for Puppies
Distraction x-rays taken between 16 and 20 weeks of age can assess your puppies’ hips. If your puppy doesn’t have hip dysplasia, you’ll have peace of mind knowing he isn’t at a high risk of suffering hip arthritis later in life. If your puppy’s hips are dysplastic JPS (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) surgery at this young age can dramatically reduce the likelihood that he develops osteoarthritis. A careful nutrition, weight management and exercise plan to develop hindlimb muscle strength are also very important for dogs predisposed to hip arthritis.
PennHIP for Adult Dogs With Hindlimb Pain, Hip Dysplasia or Osteoarthritis
At Illawarra Animal Hospital, we use PennHIp x-ray techniques to accurately assess the alignment of a dog’s hips and to identify early the development of osteoarthritis. This means we can institute the best treatment to minimise pain and get your dog happy with their hindlimbs moving again! Our advice can sometimes be around surgery, but is usually not when it comes to adult dogs with hip problems. The right nutrition, weight management, supplementation and medical intervention to control pain while individually designing rehabilitation programs which incorporate techniques such as laser, massage and nerve stimulation. The use of our underwater treadmill is key to building muscle strength using the buoyancy and resistance of the water.

PennHIP for Breeding Dogs
With hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in mind, some leading breeders are now using PennHIP x-rays to choose their breeding dogs wisely and minimise joint laxity and hip dysplasia in the litters they breed. Remember, less laxity of the hips means the development of less osteoarthritis and less pain! At 16 weeks suitability for breeding can be determined. Of course, other factors such as bodyweight, nutrition and muscle development are important too but good hips start with great genetics!
PennHIP for Puppies
Distraction x-rays taken between 16 and 20 weeks of age can assess your puppies’ hips. If your puppy doesn’t have hip dysplasia, you’ll have peace of mind knowing he isn’t at a high risk of suffering hip arthritis later in life. If your puppy’s hips are dysplastic JPS (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) surgery at this young age can dramatically reduce the likelihood that he develops osteoarthritis. A careful nutrition, weight management and exercise plan to develop hindlimb muscle strength are also very important for dogs predisposed to hip arthritis.
PennHIP for Adult Dogs With Hindlimb Pain, Hip Dysplasia or Osteoarthritis
At Illawarra Animal Hospital, we use PennHIp x-ray techniques to accurately assess the alignment of a dog’s hips and to identify early the development of osteoarthritis. This means we can institute the best treatment to minimise pain and get your dog happy with their hindlimbs moving again! Our advice can sometimes be around surgery, but is usually not when it comes to adult dogs with hip problems. The right nutrition, weight management, supplementation and medical intervention to control pain while individually designing rehabilitation programs which incorporate techniques such as laser, massage and nerve stimulation. The use of our underwater treadmill is key to building muscle strength using the buoyancy and resistance of the water.