By Gayle Kaye
PennHIP stands for the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. It is a diagnostic technique for evaluating dogs for Hip Dysplasia. Per the PennHIP website, their method can measure the laxity of a hip joint with greater precision than the hip-extended method (used by OFA).
PennHIP is a multifaceted radiographic technology (x-ray) for hip evaluation. The PennHIP method of diagnosis consists of taking three radiographs from different angles, which are then analyzed in order to make an assessment. The technique assesses the quality of the canine hip and quantitatively measures canine hip joint laxity
PennHIP is also a network of veterinarians trained to perform the PennHIP methodology properly and, perhaps most importantly, it is a large scientific database that houses the PennHIP data. The radiographs are made by certified PennHIP members worldwide and are sent to the PennHIP analysis center for evaluation. The resulting data is stored in the database, which is continually monitored as it expands. As more information becomes available, the PennHIP laboratory is able to obtain more precise answers to questions about the cause, prediction and genetic basis of CHD.
For more information, please visit the PennHIP website: http://research.vet.upenn.edu/Default.aspx?alias=research.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip