What to expect after THR?

[BabyBrownz]

DH and I are leaning more to hip replacement surgery for our boys right hip. Is there any advice one can give on what to expect after surgery? Our vet said that the ortho surgeon will give us very explicit directions but surgery is not going to be for a few months until our boys bones have closed. I do believe he said between 10 and 12 months would be when.

Is there steps we should have in place before surgery? post surgery? Will his normal crate be okay or should we have something different?

Have you given any supplements pre and post surgery? There is so much out there regarding supplements our minds are in overload and unsure.

I'm terrified that we will miss an important step and our boy would ultimately pay (like he isn't already). There is no place up here in Northwest British Columbia that does Hydrotherapy but we are still looking. We would like to have him swimming if we could to help build up his muscles without having the strain of weight.

Thank you so much for any advice you can give to a scared fur mommy.

[Che54]

Goodness....it's been a while since I went through THR with my guy. But I remember how much easier than expected it was. My guy felt so good after the procedure that my primary concern was restricting his activity....they can only have lead walks for quite some time.

Since he was going to be confined post-op, I did purchase a large indoor "crate"...one he could stand in and take a few steps. Much of the time, I simply kept him with me on the lead. He was pretty laid back so that was easy.

Just from reading on my canine nutrition group's posts, they suggest cutting out supplements about 30 days prior to any surgery. And of course, don't let him put on excess weight prior to the surgery. Lean is good.

But really, your ortho surgeon will give you very specific instructions and someone will (or should) go over them with you. Make a list of any questions you have beforehand and take that with you. It's easy to forget specific questions once you're in there trying to absorb everything.

Che