penn hip - Page 1

If a dog fails the penn hip x-rays is it possible for him to OFA certify? Are penn hip x-rays more accurate then OFA since the penn hip is three x-rays of the hip in different positions? If you are a breeder and you guarantee to replace any puppy that has hip dysplasia would you replace the puppy with a failing penn hip score or would you want the owner to OFA x-ray also? Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Mysti

I had a pup that at 6 months received OFA prelim rating of fair and a "high" penn hip rating which according to them indicated he had a better than 75% chance of developing DJD - his hip were very well formed and the femoral head positioning was good - his joints were just lax. At 2 he received an OFA excellent - his hip (and elbow) x-rays were perfect. So based on this I don't put too much stock in the penn hip scores. Use it as another diagnostic tool if you want, but it can be wrong.

I agree with GS Mom that the Penn-Hip should be considered as just another tool for testing hips, and that it should not be seen as the be-all-end-all method for hip certification. It is the latest method, after all. The one (1) thing that I do like about the Penn-Hip method is that a veterinarian must be certified to apply it, and I wish the O.F.A. would require the same. But, the O.F.A. examination method is so easy to do correctly that even I can show an inexperienced veterinarian how to do it properly. I know the goal of the Penn-Hip examination, and yes, excessive hip laxity can cause even a well-formed hip joint to become damaged as the puppy matures if the type and amount of exercise is too extreme. Perhaps needlessly so, I am a bit concerned about the mechanics of the exam whereas the joint is essentally pulled apart to determine the amount of laxity. Of course puppies always have much more joint laxity than an adult should have and this laxity tends to lessen greatly as the puppy grows. The important thing is to protect these young loose joints as the puppy matures and the ligaments tighten around the joint. In the end, I don't think that we will ever replace the extended-leg bone type of pelvic x-ray to determine the quality of the joint components. For example, this is the type of qualified examination stated in my puppy purchase agreement, and I state that I will accept the findings of the O.F.A. and/or the S.V.. And I should add that it can be done at any age and it will easily show any serious changes to the joint. I should add that for most people the hip x-rays are fairly easy to read once one knows how to determine the critical points that indicate a passing hip joint. I of course cannot determine a final score, but I can with much certainty determine whether the hips will pass. Until I otherwise convinced, my vote is for the extended-leg x-ray for the O.F.A. or the S.V., and not the final results as determined by the Penn-Hip method. Bob-O

He's almost 10 months old and he's been having problems getting up when he's laying down if he's been laying down for a long time. It's like he tries to get up but can't so he has to try again and then he finally gets up. And I've never seen him run without bunny hopping. He can trot fine but when he walks his back legs get tangled together sometimes and his right hip is very stiff. In one of the penn hip x-rays his right hip looks like it sticks out 1/4 inch further then his left hip. The vet doesn't think that he will pass penn hip and he thinks that he probably won't get an OFA fair rating. I've been giving him synflex which is a glucosamine supplement, does anybody have any other recommendations on what I should give him? Thanks. Mysti

Mysti, Unfortunately, sounds like your little guy may possibly have arthritis, DJD (degenerative joint disease) or possible (no way to tell without a certified radiologist seeing the actual films, if the placement is good!) hip dysplasia. Sounds more like arthritis than anything, however. Could be just a lazy pup as well. Wait until he's a little older and then check him. In the meantime, keep him off of slippery surfaces, don't allow him to do any extensive running or jumping, and continue feeding him the glucosamine supplement, as well as possibly changing his food to a lower protein food such as Eagle Pack, Solid Gold or Royal Canin. Good luck with your little guy!

There is no pass or fail with Penn hip. It is just a tool. Although they will tell you if the pup /dog is dysplastic. I have a female that scored very high (loose hips) at 10 monthes old. Her hips are very well formed but she has alot of laxticity.Therefore arthritis(DJD) will set in at a very early age. We are gonna rexray her at an older age for our own experience.But we will keep her lean and that should help with stress on the loose hips.I do beleive Penn hip gives you alot more information then OFA and I do like the fact that the Vet has to be specially trianed to do it. As far as guarentees...if the pup is Penn hip and is dysisplastic then I replace. If the dog has a high score(loose hips) then I dont replace it.A loose hip dog may pass OFA and be a fair. Do the best you can if you are breeding. There are no perfect dogs and in my opinion ya cant guarentee everything. We treat what come up with our breedings on a individual basis.Most breeders will get by making the owner give up the pup that has the issue. Most people dont want to give it up so the guarentee is void. However a suggestion as to what to do with the pup with the problem and a replacement usually makes people feel more comfortable. If they choose not to take a replacement thats fine.If they want to give the pup back then thats fine. But forcing them to do so usually results in the breeder not replacing the pup and a bad reputation as a breeder.(you only get one reputation) Thats why a lot of questionable breeders relocate alot..I feel that people that buy pups need to feel comfortable with you.It takes not only breeding skill but people skills also(thats the harder part) I'm still learning. Thats why I come here and read about other peoples experiences and ask questions.I gather info from alot of different sources including plain experience.