Radiographic Screening for Hip Evaluation (PennHip, OFA, SV)
The Animal Clinic of North Topeka is committed to providing the best diagnostic and preventive care for your pet.
PennHip
PennHip is a comprehensive radiographic screening technique for hip evaluation. This method assesses the condition of a dog’s hips and provides a quantitative measurement of the looseness in the canine hip joint. Veterinarians will review the radiographs and provide a percentile index for joint laxity. This method of evaluation is very accurate in the ability to predict the onset of osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis, also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) often occurs after a deformity has occurred during a puppy’s growth. This deformity is called hip dysplasia and can lead to lameness and pain for your pet. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that can be passed onto offspring. If you are thinking about breeding your pet, it’s advisable to consider a radiographic screening for hip evaluation. This screening can be performed as early as 16 weeks of age. Both Dr. Carly Bach and Dr. John Neeck are certified to perform PennHip evaluations.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluation of Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
OFA evaluates hips and/or elbows radiographs and places them into different categories based on breed, conformation of hips and/or elbows, age, and sex. Radiologists then grade the radiographs based on evidence of arthritis, hip dysplasia, and any abnormal formation of the elbow joint. Official OFA certification requires that your pet be at least 2 years of age, but a younger dog could still have radiographs performed for an unofficial assessment.
Our veterinarians meticulously perform the required radiographs to provide clear and precise images from multiple angles. We ensure that every step of the process is handled with the utmost care and precision, providing you with the highest quality service to support your pet’s health and certification needs.
Verein Fur deustsche Scharferhunde (SV) Evaluation for German Shepherds
SV radiographs provide a comprehensive evaluation program for German Shepherds, focusing on hip, spine, and elbow health. This program produces an official certification of the dog’s joint condition. Our staff submits these radiographs directly to the SV club in Germany, who will give your pet a rating and a numerical score based on the severity of dysplasia present.
Our veterinarians are well-equipped and experienced in obtaining the necessary radiographs and completing all required veterinary examination forms for submission to the SV club. Each stage of the process is approached with exceptional care and precision, delivering top-notch service to meet your pet’s health and certification requirements.