Pennhip measures hip laxity and allows exact prediction of Hip Displasia in dogs, starting from 16 weeks of age. Hip Dysplasia can be prevented if hip laxity is diagnosed and treated early.

The Problem:

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

• Is the most commonly inherited orthopedic disease

• Leads to hip arthritis causing pain, stiffness, and diminished quality of life

• Has no medical or surgical cure

• Afflicts more than 50% of the dogs within some breeds

• Clinically affects large breed dogs more severely than smaller breed dogs

The Key Factor:

Hip Laxity

In the 1980’s, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine pioneered a better diagnostic method to assess hip laxity—the key factor in the development of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD).

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, with the ball of the femur (femoral head) fitting into the hip socket (acetabulum). Hip laxity refers to the degree of “looseness” of the ball in the hip socket. All dogs are born with good hip joints. It is joint laxity that is responsible for development of Hip Dysplasia to due the increased wear and tear that loose hip joints are subjected too.

The Solution:

AIS PennHIP Hip Improvement Program

The research-based hip-screening procedure known as PennHIP has proven to be the most accurate and precise method to measure hip laxity. It can identify (as early as 16 weeks of age) dogs that are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia.

This offers breeders the opportunity to make early decisions on breeding stock, and allows veterinarians to advise pet owners on lifestyle adjustments and preventive strategies to minimize the pain and progression of the disease.

PennHIP Radiographs:

PennHIP screening includes three separate radiographs (x-rays) of the hips. 

Hip Scoring and Result Interpretation:

We then will submit the three PennHIP radiographs to ANTECH Imaging Services for specialised evaluation.

A confidential report comprised of the following key parts will be sent back to us where we will then bring you back to the clnic to explain the results and give any appropriate strategies (diet, medications, and/or activities) to delay or diminish the ultimate course of the disease.

Prevention and Treatment of hip displasia:

There is no cure for hip dysplasia, but it can be prevented to a good degree. In order to prevent hip Hip Dysplasia (a form of arthritis) is vital to address loose hip joints early. Any surgical treament is aimed at changing the angle of the socket (relative to the pelvis), so that the body weight keeps pushing the hip joint tight. In a mature animal that means an operation which is called Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, which is a difficult, invasive and expensive procedure.

However, in a young, growing dog this can be achieved by applying heat to the growth plate of the symphysis of the pelvis, a procedure we offer in-house. The growth plate will then fuse early and stop this part of the pelvis to grow, resulting in a change of the shape of the pelvis as the puppy continues to grow. 

Who will benefit from PennHip hip scoring?:

Any young dog will benefit from having it's hip scored. You find out exactly where you dog stands within the range of it's breed and how likely it is that you dog develops hip dysplasia later on in life. This is particularly important in dogs you want to breed from, especially large breeds. Detection of hip laxity in puppies allows us to perform a simple procedure to prevent the onset of hip dysplasia later on.

VetCare Finance provides fast loans and flexible repayment options, so your furry friend can get the health care they need.

• Here are just a few more benefits they offer
• Loans available throughout New Zealand
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VetCare Finance can approve loans of up to $5,000.

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We are open 7 days and provide a comprehensive 24/7 ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE with direct access via phone to a qualified staff member to assist you.

0800VETCALL or (07) 572 4200

At Mount Vets our Soft tissue surgical procedures are performed by Joerg Thamm, the Director, who has a special interest in Small Animal Orthopaedics and Soft Tissue surgery. Joerg has over 18 years experience developing this interest working for the PDSA, the UK's leading Veterinary charity, and further advancing his skills and training running a busy London branches of a large corporate Veterinary chain.

Commonly performed procedures:

• diaphragmatic hernia repair

• wound care and reconstruction

• gastrointestinal obstructions

• anal sacculectomy ( anal gland removal)

• ear canal ablation

• perineal hernia

• perineal urethrostomy

• enterectomy

At Mount Vet Hospital our orthopaedic procedures are performed by Joerg Thamm, the Director, who has a special interest in Small Animal Orthopaedics and Soft Tissue surgery.

At Mount Vet Hospital we are able to refer our patients to Veterinary Specialists when they require veterinary care that necessitates skills and equipment that is beyond our function as a primary veterinary caregiver.

Microchips are a small device about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is implanted in the soft scruff of the neck. Each microchip has a unique number that can be read by a special reader, similar to a barcode reader.

At Mount Vet Hospital we offer the services of Euthanasia and Cremation with trusted Pet Cremations Ltd (over 25 years of service ), a sensitive and tasteful way to remember your pet.

www.petcremations.co.nz

Rhinoscopy is a procedure used to examine the entire nasal cavity with a small flexible endoscope.

Flexible rhinoscopy is a useful addition to the physical examination that allows direct visualisation of structures within the nasal cavities that may not be visible by the physical examination alone.

Rhinoscopy may be recommended if your pet has:

• Chronic nasal discharge

• Chronic sneezing

• Nasal bleeding

• Nasal congestion

• Decreased nasal airflow

• Suspicion of nasal foreign body

Your pet would need to be anaesthetised or sedated for this procedure.

Otoscopy is an examination that involves looking into the ear with an instrument called an otoscope (or auriscope). This is performed in order to examine the 'external auditory canal' – the tunnel that leads from the outer ear (pinna) to the eardrum.

The use of video otoscopy provides the best view and examination of the ear canal. It has a strong light without increased heat and it has a magnified view. This allows us to best evaluate the health of the ear and for any abnormalities that require attention.

We can check for:

• masses

• structural abnormalities

• foreign material

• ear mites

• bacterial or fungal infections

• the general health of the ear canal

• evaluate the tympanic membrane (ear drum).

Normal ear canal and view of ear drum

Abnormal ear canal

Video otoscopy also works under water so that we can flush the debris as we are viewing the canal. This means video otoscopy is involved in both diagnosing and treatment.

In some circumstances your pet may need to be sedated or anaesthetised for this procedure.

Here at Mount Vet Hospital we love the “Golden Oldies”, those loyal, loving older pets that have been in the family for awhile and have created a raft of memories

We feel that age is not a disease but just another life stage we all have to go through but it does bring with it some challenges.