Femoral Head Excision

[autumn]

Has anyone ever had this procedure done for your dog (for HD) and what were the results?

[alexav]

It's fairly common for SMALL dogs and the results are pretty amazing. Personaly, I wouldn't consider it for a dog over 30-40 pounds.

[autumn]

Originally Posted by alexav

It's fairly common for SMALL dogs and the results are pretty amazing. Personaly, I wouldn't consider it for a dog over 30-40 pounds.

I have been reading up on it lately and have read that it is best for a small/medium dog. I had the procedure done on my first Rott Jake when he was about six months at the advice of my vet. I am now wondering why she would want to do something like this for a large breed dog??? The results were great though so no harm done.......Is it for a small dog period, or was she willing to do it because he was not full grown?? Although, even at 6 months he was pretty big.........At the time cost was a factor, maybe that was it??

[Judi W]

If the results were great, then why are you second-guessing the vet's recommendation?

[autumn]

Originally Posted by Judi W

If the results were great, then why are you second-guessing the vet's recommendation?

To educate myself. I have alot friends with large breed dogs, some with HD and would like to know the pros and cons on different procedures. My original post was not second guessing, just inquiring on different experiences.

[alexav]

If a large dog has such severe HD and the Pelvic-TPO surgery isn't an option, for whatever reason, FHE might be a resonable last ditch effort to keep the dog around, although this does not mean the dog will be painfree and will be able to do the things that dogs should be able to do.
If the HD affects both hips the weight and pressure on the other hip will bring the dog even more pain.
I think if I were to find myself in that situation, I would keep the dog as painfree as possible with diet and medication and when that ceases to be effective, I would choose euthanasia.

[Tank's Grandma]

Just curious, was TPO surgery not an option? At that age, if you're curious for your friends, that would be the first thing I would look into for severe HD. But it's success is limited by age and the condition of the ball and socket joint.

[autumn]

Originally Posted by Tank's Grandma

Just curious, was TPO surgery not an option? At that age, if you're curious for your friends, that would be the first thing I would look into for severe HD. But it's success is limited by age and the condition of the ball and socket joint.

With Jake that was about 10 years ago. I hardly had any knowledge on Rottweiler's or HD. I just took my vet's advice and did what she suggested. Although it was a success, if put in the same situation now I would go with a TPO instead.

[Tank's Grandma]

Originally Posted by autumn

With Jake that was about 10 years ago. I hardly had any knowledge on Rottweiler's or HD. I just took my vet's advice and did what she suggested. Although it was a success, if put in the same situation now I would go with a TPO instead.

I understand....it's a tough decison to make, surgery or not, but I've never regretted it.

[alexav]

Originally Posted by autumn

With Jake that was about 10 years ago. I hardly had any knowledge on Rottweiler's or HD. I just took my vet's advice and did what she suggested. Although it was a success, if put in the same situation now I would go with a TPO instead.

So how did it work out with Jake? You say it was a success, can you give us more detail? Thanks.

[autumn]

Originally Posted by alexav

So how did it work out with Jake? You say it was a success, can you give us more detail? Thanks.

After a pretty quick recovery he was pain free (on that side at least). When he ran it looked a little loose but nothing big. I made sure I gave him supplements his whole life and kept him strong with swimming. He had HD in the other side, just not as severe. He also had ED. The only part of him that was not an issue was that one hip.

[alexav]

Poor guy, ED too...

Sounds like you gave him a really good life.

[autumn]

Originally Posted by alexav

Poor guy, ED too...

Sounds like you gave him a really good life.

Thanks, I did everything in my power to make his life a good one. Unfortunatly he was from a BYB and the displaysia he had was just one of his many problems