Turquoise Animal Hospital – San Diego Veterinarian

Dr. Al Atkinson is certified by the University of Pennsylvania to take PennHip radiographs (x-rays) at Turquoise Animal Hospital.

We recommend early screening for hip joint laxity in large dog breeds at 12-16 weeks of age because a new innovative surgery is available that has a great potential to limit or prevent arthritis secondary to this genetic condition.  The surgery is called a juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS). The many benefits of this surgery far offset its cost when compared to the alternatives later in the pet’s life when lameness and arthritis are present.

The PennHip x-ray study measures the hip joint laxity in a quantitative way, palpation is a subjective test not suitable for making breeding decisions, but very helpful in deciding whether to pursue the JPS surgery.

Penn HIP X-rays are also a very beneficial screening test if you are considering using your dog for breeding. If the Distraction Index or “hip tightness” results are above average, you will know that using your dog for breeding in the future will be minimizing the chances of passing on the genetics that lead to hip dysplasia in that breed.

If JPS surgery is needed, your pup can be spayed or neutered at the same time.  This surgery should be done at 12-16 weeks of age to maximize the benefits as the dog grows.

Hip Dysplasia and Large Breed Dogs

All owners of large breed puppies are justifiably worried over the risk that their new puppy will eventually develop hip dysplasia.   All large breeds, whether from a kennel, private owner or a pet store are at risk of this crippling disease.  It can be very painful, and by the time it is diagnosed and treated the dog has often suffered for weeks or even months.  Preventing this suffering has been everyone’s goal for many years.

Hip Screening

Testing is now available that can predict which puppies are at greater risk of developing hip dysplasia.  Furthermore, a procedure is now available that should allow the hip bones of a puppy to develop more normally.  Screening of large breed puppies (over 50# adult weight) should be done as close to 13 weeks of age as possible.

Those puppies that test positive require a procedure (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) that fuses a portion of the growth plate in the pelvis.  This fusing causes the angle of the hip to change as the puppy grows, ultimately providing the puppy a much better hip joint.  Benefits of this surgery are remarkable.