Case Study:
Hip Screenings May Help Improve Quality of Life
Veterinary Economics Growth Bulletin
July 13, 2005
During a continuing education meeting held by local orthopedic specialists, Dr. Mike McLaughlin,
owner of Animal Medical Center of Cumming, in Cumming, GA, was intrigued about a surgical
procedure called TPO, or triple pelvic osteotomy. He heard the specialists say that some
large breed dogs with hip dysplasia can enjoy an improved quality of life, or at least a
slowed disease progression, by undergoing TPO.
"To screen pets for signs of hip dysplasia, we need large puppies to remain still for proper
positioning while we take a radiograph and palpate the hips," says Dr. McLaughlin. "That
requires sedation or anesthesia. I recognized that between four and six months of age,
most pets are presented for a neuter or spay - and that's an optimal time to take a
radiograph to check the pet's conformation. If the pet is going to be used for breeding,
a screening radiograph can provide helpful information a well."
Evidence shows that dogs with signs of hip dysplasia at six months can benefit from TPO,
and 85 percent of pets that don't show signs of the disease at six months still are free
of the disease at two years, Dr. McLaughlin says, "That makes doing these screenings at
six months, during spays and neuters, the perfect time," he says.
Dr. McLaughlin has been screening large breed dogs for about two years, and during that
period, he had referred three or four pets for TPO, and he has talked to many other
pet owners about nutritional changes and supplements to help ward off or manage hip
dysplasia.
The team at Animal Medical Center prepares clients for screenings by talking about
them during early puppy visits and by putting an explanation of the screening on
their presurgical form for spays or neuters. Dr. McLaughlin says at least half
of clients with large breed puppies elect to complete the screening,
which costs $70. And if the pet is diagnosed with dysplasia early, then the owners
have more options in the treatment of their pet's condition. "With this approach,
we help pets enjoy a better life," says Dr. McLaughlin.
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