PennHIP Procedures

PennHIP is the most accurate way to predict a dog's potential to develop hip dysplasia.  Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited orthopedic disease in dogs, affecting up to 50% of dogs in some breeds. The PennHIP procedure involves taking a series of radiographs of the hips under sedation and can be done on dogs as young as 16 weeks old. The procedure is painless and stress free.  The radiographs are used to obtain your dog's distraction index. This is a measurement of the amount of laxity in the hip joints and has been proven to be the primary risk factor for developing hip dysplasia. This information is extremely valuable when making decisions regarding breeding animals or in managing pets in ways that minimize the progression of the disease.