Indiana needs THR/FHO

sklopfer

I took Indiana to a new vet to get x-rays on his hips. My primary vet said that she didn't see any issues, but I noticed his hips clicking, and recently he's starting falling on my linoleum. I went back this evening to pick him up (he had to be sedated), and the vet said that he has hip dysplasia, and there were two options. We could do a total hip replacement on both sides, or the femoral head ostectomy. Indiana is around 11 months old, and just at 40 lbs, so he's really a candidate for either surgery, from what I've read. I was hoping to get your opinions and any information you had on the two surgeries. Thanks.

LuckyAngel07

I have no experience or suggestions for you, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry Indiana is dealing with this so young! Poor pupper.

justaname

My friend who is a vet tech and works with working dogs would recommend the FHO. It is considerably cheaper and she says the recovery is typically shorter. Plus there is no hardware to malfunction or get infected. She says dogs she has seen who had an FHO were able to return to full work status (I am not sure on the timeline though) and your dogs size makes him a great candidate. Good luck! Im sorry he is so young and you are having to deal with this.

sklopfer

I'm leaning towards the FHO, but I wasn't sure they were able to recover full range of motion. That's good news, thanks!

MMP

My dog is huge so he had to have a THR on one side.  If the othe hip degrades, we will do an FHO on the other side. 

The THR is fantastic, but a dog of 40 lbs, I'd do two FHOs.  Recovery is confinement for 10-14 days, until stitches come out, then you want them as active as possible to develop the false joint.  I know many, many dogs that have had FHOs and 100% success.  Never heard of a bad outcome.

Good luck!