PennHIP & OFA Screening

A modern approach.

Better Diagnostics

There are two distinct methods used in evaluating dogs for the development of degenerative joint disease of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD): PennHIP evaluations and OFA screenings.

Your Billings Animal Family Hospital veterinarians are certified to perform both of these evaluative techniques and will make recommendations regarding which diagnostic method will be most useful to you and your canine companion.

PennHIP Evaluations

PennHIP stands for the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. PennHIP is a multifaceted X-ray process to assess the stability of the canine hip and measure hip joint laxity.

The PennHIP method of evaluation is considered the most accurate tool to predict the development of osteoarthritis, the degenerative joint disease that is the hallmark of canine hip dysplasia.

PennHIP is more than just a radiographic technique. It is a network of veterinarians trained to perform the PennHIP methodology properly. In addition, it is a large scientific database that houses the PennHIP data. Radiographs are made by certified PennHIP members worldwide and are sent to the PennHIP analysis center for evaluation.

Dr. Best is certified to perform the complex PennHIP evaluation at Billings Animal Family Hospital. She is one of only a few veterinarians in the region with this specific training. Billings Animal Family Hospital has been performing the PennHip procedure longer than any other veterinary facility in the region.

PennHIP Evaluations

PennHIP stands for the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. PennHIP is a multifaceted X-ray process to assess the stability of the canine hip and measure hip joint laxity.

The PennHIP method of evaluation is considered the most accurate tool to predict the development of osteoarthritis, the degenerative joint disease that is the hallmark of canine hip dysplasia.

PennHIP is more than just a radiographic technique. It is a network of veterinarians trained to perform the PennHIP methodology properly. In addition, it is a large scientific database that houses the PennHIP data. Radiographs are made by certified PennHIP members worldwide and are sent to the PennHIP analysis center for evaluation.

Dr. Best is certified to perform the complex PennHIP evaluation at Billings Animal Family Hospital. She is one of only a few veterinarians in the region with this specific training. Billings Animal Family Hospital has been performing the PennHip procedure longer than any other veterinary facility in the region.

OFA Screenings

OFA stands for Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. This screening method follows the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines for specific radiograph positioning to evaluate pelvic or coxofemoral (hip joint) conformation. This view is accepted worldwide for the detection and assessment of hip joint irregularities.

OFA registers the results in their database and will submit results to the AKC. All Billings Animal Family Hospital veterinarians are able to perform the OFA hip screening.

For additional information about these procedures, we recommend the following websites:

pennhip

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

University of Pennsylvania