Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on a physical examination and x-rays. Currently, veterinarians have several different techniques for taking x-rays of dogs with symptoms of hip dysplasia. Recommended by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), the hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray, which provides a frontal view of the pelvis and hip joints, is most widely used and recognized by veterinarians because the view best allows for an assessment of the amount of arthritis present. To a lesser extent, this x-ray technique also can evaluate how loose the hip joint is. The PennHIP radiography technique is a much better judge of hip looseness, however, and is actually used as an early detection test for hip looseness in younger dogs. It can produce valid results in puppies as young as four months of age. Other less commonly used methods of diagnosing hip dysplasia include computed tomography (CT scan), and ultrasonography.