Total Hip Replacement vs FHO

[owned by dogs]

Hi, I'm new here, and was wondering if anyone here would be willing to help me on a project. I wasn't sure if I should post this in the New Members forum, or in the Health forum, so I posted this in both.......please forgive me.

I'm writing a "pet owner" guide on Hip Dyplasia, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, etc. to help people who have gotten this terrible diagnosis, and are trying to figure out what to do next.

I went through this with my Lab puppy 4 years ago, and spent countless hours researching hip dysplasia, and found lots of "inconclusive" information on both why it happened and what is the best treatment.

I finally decided to do a Total Hip Replacement of the worse hip, and anticipate that I will still have to do something with the other hip. The largest hole in information was other dog owners experiences, recovery, and what I would have to do after I brought her home. Somehow, confine her for 3 months did not prepare me for those 3 months.

I was expecting to do THR on the 2nd hip, but, I seem to encounter a lot of people who opt for the FHO and seem pleased with the results, but everyone seems to have done it in the last year or two, and I have been unable to locate anyone who has done it at least 5 years ago.

So here's what I'm asking, is there anyone here who has ever gone through either of these surgeries who would be willing to share their story. Specifically:
1. Breed of dog (if mixed, dominant breeds)
2. Size & weight of dog
3. Age of diagnosis
4. Symptoms
5. Treatment option selected and why plus age of dog when surgery was done
6. Details of recovery - what would you wish you had been told before the surgery
7. Current age of dog, or how long did dog live after surgery
8. Were there complications? - for example, infection, artificial hip dislocated, physical therapy was needed, etc. etc
9. If faced with the same choice today, would you make the same decision?
10. Last but not least, do you want your and/or your dog's name included?

I am willing to provide anyone who helps in this project a copy of the finished guide, if they want one. You can either post here, or email me directly.

Many thanks!
Sally

 

[Athebeau]

1. Breed of dog (if mixed, dominant breeds): Rottweiler
2. Size & weight of dog: 100 lbs
3. Age of diagnosis: 1 1/2 years of age, suspected as early as a year.
4. Symptoms: Lazy sit, stiff in rear end, tippy toe walk on worst side. She would not jump up and didn't like her hips manipulated.
5. Treatment option selected and why plus age of dog when surgery was done: The Vets told me surgery was the best option as her right hip was very bad. I opted to help my dogs HD with supplements and better diet. She gets plenty of raw bones with plenty of cartilage, raw meats with all those beneficial enzymes and when I'm not feeding raw I have her on good quality dog food. I supplement with Nutri Aid GCM which contains Glucosamine HCL, Chondroitin Sulphate, MSM, Vitamin C, Mineral Manganese. I also give her oral Hyaluronic acid, Yucca root (sometime fresh ground root), ginger root (fresh ground at home), I make sure she gets plenty of omega 3 fatty acids including organic flax seeds (ground at home), hemp seed oil, fish body oil, and I give her Astragalus.
6. Details of recovery - what would you wish you had been told before the surgery: This does not apply to me, as I opted not to have surgery done. But, with her exceptional diet and supplements my girl is doing fantasitic, she runs and plays, gets out for plenty of swims (exercise is always keep at the same level). She never has any bad days and even the Vets are amazed at the flexability and how much they can manipulate her legs.
7. Current age of dog, or how long did dog live after surgery: I don't think this whole questionaire applies to my dog... ...but, I did not have surgery and my dog is now 6 going on 7 and doing wonderful.
8. Were there complications? - for example, infection, artificial hip dislocated, physical therapy was needed, etc. etc: Does not apply
9. If faced with the same choice today, would you make the same decision? Yes, I would chose to supplement my dogs diet etc. just as I am doing now. I have seen amazing results. I also have a Newfoundland with Elbow dysplasia and we are treating the same way...naturally.
10. Last but not least, do you want your and/or your dog's name included?

I am happy I did not go through the surgery. My Rottie is doing wonderful and I couldn't be more pleased. As for my other dogs they cleared their OFA at age 2, but, that does not mean they will not develop HD later in life...it happens to large breeds. A lot of care needs to be given to large breed dogs while they are developing etc.
Here are some additional articles which may interest you:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1275&articleid=1301
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1275&articleid=1239

 

[Giny]

1. Breed of dog (if mixed, dominant breeds) Toy Poodle
2. Size & weight of dog 3 pounds
3. Age of diagnosis 1 1/2 years old
4. Symptoms injury/hip poped out
5. Treatment option selected and why plus age of dog when surgery was done At her size and age, 1 1/2 yrs old, an FHO was sugested by the vet as her best option.
6. Details of recovery - what would you wish you had been told before the surgery The vet prepared me quite well pre op as what to expect. Nothing was a surprise and nothing unexpected happend post op.
7. Current age of dog, or how long did dog live after surgery She's now or will be 4 years in a few months.
8. Were there complications? - for example, infection, artificial hip dislocated, physical therapy was needed, etc. etc No
9. If faced with the same choice today, would you make the same decision? In a heartbeat.
10. Last but not least, do you want your and/or your dog's name included? Sure, if you want my full name just pm me. The dog's name is Kassie.

 

[Athebeau]

I meant to add, that if my situation applies to what information you are seeking...you can certainly use my name and my dogs name...her name is Athena and you can PM me.