JUVENILE PUBIC SYMPHYSIDESIS (JPS)
What is Juvenile Pubic Symphysidesis (JPS)?
JPS is a procedure that involves heating an area near the centre of the pelvis to kill cells responsible for pelvic development. This alters the “growth plates”, allowing veterinarians to force the bones of the pelvis to grow at different rates. The idea being to make the pelvis grow at an angle that provides a better fit for the hip. Meaning when the dog matures, the hip socket has rotated to a more horizontal angle, making it less likely the ball on the end of the femur will pop out.
So, what is the problem with this?
The procedure must be performed when dogs are between 16-20 weeks of age. With the benefits said to decrease with every week you wait. To achieve maximum benefit, the puppy should be 16 weeks. Once the puppy is 20 weeks old, the pelvis is said to be too developed for a JPS to have any effect on growth. It is also recommended that the procedure take place while the pup is anaesthetised for desexing so the pup only needs to undergo anaesthetic once.
Unfortunately, this has led to unscrupulous vets advising unsuspecting owners that their puppy requires the procedure, when this may not be the case. Then applying pressure to have the owner act quickly or risk their puppy facing many years of pain associated with HD.
Some puppy owners are being approached whilst their pups are anaesthetised for desexing and being advised their puppy requires the surgery, being placed under pressure to make a decision without having all the facts.
Xrays are also being offered as a screening tool for potential HD in large and giant breed puppies. Once the xray is performed, the owner is advised the pup has undergone a PennHIP type xray that has confirmed the pup has laxity in its hip joints and that the pup requires the surgery. The owner is then pushed to proceed with the surgery while the pup is still anaesthetised from the Xray.
Finally, while the theory of JPS making the hips “mushroom" out and over causing deeper hip sockets and better fit for the femoral head is meant to lead to a less painful existence for the dog, dogs that have undergone the procedure clearly gait (move) differently (they are very restricted). Furthermore, there has never been any studies where JPS is performed on one group and another group is left to develop naturally and use alternative methods if required, to see which is more “painful” longterm. Meaning, the procedure has no scientific support.
How can you avoid unnecessary surgery on your puppy?
It is important to note there are NO vets in Australia qualified to give PennHIP results. Results can only be obtained by sending eligible xrays that adhere to the PennHIP requirements to the US and there will be a turnaround of around 24 hours. Also, PennHIP state on their website that results should NOT be used as justification for performing this procedure.
IF YOUR VET ADVISES YOUR PUPPY REQUIRES THIS PROCEDURE ENSURE YOU DISCUSS WITH YOUR BREEDER AND GET A SECOND INDEPENDENT OPINION PRIOR TO PROCEEDING