Hip Replacement

[steve18]

Hi,
Dante was diagnosed with severe HD a few years ago. He is almost 8 now. We have had him on Grand Flex, and MSM. He has been doing really well. This weekend we were out of town and my brother was house sitting.On friday, He called me and said Dante was yelping when getting up and was mostly just laying down on his bed. When he did get up he was favoring his back right leg and also his left front leg.
Well, we came home last night and he was/is still yelping when he gets up but it's not everytime. Once he gets up, he moves somewhat slow. He will walk around a bit then lay back down. He usually yelps only when getting up.

My question is, if his hip is getting worse, what is the thought of getting a total hip replacement before it gets really bad and he is in pain all the time?
I can't take seeing him in pain and if getting his hip replaced would help, I would rather do it before the severe pain starts.

I have read that Total hip replacements have a good success rate. Just curious of other's opinion on this matter.

Thanks,
steve

[Judi W]

At that age, I would be more inclined to use pain management than to put the dog though that surgery.

[Silvermarten]

I'm sure you already have it planned , but a trip to the vet for an exam and xrays is in order first .

Limping front left and back right needs to be diagnosed and then treated accordingly .
The rear may be his hip ( as you know he has dysplasia ) but it could be something else .

If appropriate your vet can referr you to a specialist for hip replacement . Be sure to discuss his quality of life , overall health and what to expect . His quality of life is much more important than his quantity of life .
We know you'll make the right choices for your boy .

With hip issues dogs try to shift wieght to their front legs to compensate for the rear problems . This is very hard on front joints . You can imagine the toll this takes over years of wieght shifting .

I know of a 12yr old German Shepard that had her second hip replacement recently . Her first one was several years ago and is still in excellent shape . This is a very lean , active and healthy dog ( other than those hips ) .

Sometimes appropriate treatment is surgery , sometimes it's pain management . Over the internet we can only speculate on what would be right for your dog . Your vet can help you make the right decision .
Good luck with your boy .
Let us know what the vet says after his exam .

[steve18]

Thank you so much for your reply's. It helps alot to get input from people who care about their dogs as much as I do...it's sometimes hard to explain things about Dante to people who don't have dogs or don't really care about their dogs...

Thanks again for your help...I really appreciate it!!!

steve

[Judi W]

Have a good conversation with the ortho vet and also, ask for references of people you can talk to that have had that surgery on their dogs and if at all possible, large bodied dogs like your own. You want to have a very clear picture of the recovery process and time as well as the final outcome. Whatever decision you make, will be the right one.

[steve18]

The vet called today with the blood results. She said Dante had/has Acute Pancreatitis and that, coupeled with his arthritis, is why he may have been yelping in pain. Dante is alot better now. When we come home and he get's exicted, he may yelp a little bit, but is way better than what he was doing.

The vet recommended putting him back on Science Diet L/D and NO people food. He needs to lose about 15 lbs. He's at 115 lb now.

My question is could that be the main reason he was yelping? I know he has arthritis and figured that along with pulling something was the reason.

Thanks for any info.

steve

[Miabella]

Definitely get that weight off ASAP!! I truly believe that keeping him slim is one of the most important things you can do for a dysplastic dog. And I mean very slim, what most pet owners would think of as underweight. JMHO.

[Judi W]

An inflamed pancreas is estremely painful! Yes, of course that could cause the crying. Diet is very important so do follow instructions on that and of course, I'm sure the vet told you that the weight makes it harder on his hips.

You have an excellent vet and are very lucky that he is meticulous enough to look into things thoroughly.

[steve18]

Thanks very much for your help and advice! I really appreciate all the info and this forum!!!!

Thanks again,
steve