Pita is diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia
I'm saddend to have to update you all on Pita with rather devastating news. She was diagnosed with moderate to severe hip dysplasia with our vet strongly suggesting total hip replacement surgery. She is only a year and a half and I am torn between 2 options. Immediate surgery or long term treatment & therapy I am indecisive as to give her immediate surgery. First off, I've read and reread everyone's posts on how dogs do well on supplements and medication w/o surgery. If that alone can give us good years together, do I necessarily want to put her through surgery?? Also the surgery is too expensive for our current finances and we would have to go into debt. However, is it necessarily in her best interest? Do I have the right to put her through pain and suffering for the next several years? The vet sounded like immediate surgery was necessary and perhaps having surgery at an early age will have its advantages, like faster recovery and all the painfree years to come.... She was in so much pain last night, my eyes get teary just thinking about her not being able to sit or lay down.. |
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| I am so sorry for pita's pain and your emotional trauma. HD is a terrible thing.
If resources aren't the issue I'd go for the surgery, as my understanding is they can do very well for many years if done young enough. I'm not sure what "young enough" means. We were told that our dog was too old at around 10 or 11 (I think). I think the vet said "I don't think he'd ever get back up." |
| so sorry to hear about pita.. if you read some of my post.. my sweet derby was less then a year old with double hd in both of his elbows as a pup he would limp and in pain.. i was not sure to go and have the surgery felt so bad ,, it was rough i think more on me.. well it has been 6 months and he is a different dog.. if you would see him run and play you would opt to do the surgery.. p.s i am still paying for it. he was a rescue dog and now my million dollar boy lol i would hock all to do this again .. make sure you get a few vets to look and make sure.. good luck |
| Maybe consider a second opinion as well? Not because your vet made a bad diagnosis, but perhaps just for another viewpoint? |
| I am so sorry you have to go through this!
Oliver is now 11 months old, and he was diagnosed with severe hip displasia at 8 months. It is devastating to see your loved one go through something like this, I am sorry you have to deal with it. I second that you should get a second opinion. If your vet can't give you 3 viable options, then you need to see someone else. Oliver went to see 5 vets before we decided to manage his pain with medicine. Depending on age, the arthritis that is developed, and financial restraints I can think of a few options just off the top of my head: 1. medication 2. FHO 3. THR 4. nerve cutting (a new procedure being done in older animals at KSU) Unfortunately, Oliver was too old for a TPO and too young for a THR, so he is now eating Science Diet j/d, he takes Consequin (glucoseamine), and is on anti-inflammatory. We are also doing underwater treadmill therapy to help build and strengthen his muscles. I'll be honest, it is quite expensive to treat him. The food is about $65/35lbs, medicine is $85/month, and treadmill is $120/month. But the difference in Oliver is amazing! So many people on here have dealt with this type of situation, and will offer lots of support and advice. Give Pita a hug, and love on her everyday as if will be her last. |
| My nephew is 20 years old and just had surgery for hip dysplasia on December 17th. It is rare for someone his age to it and there were only 5 doctors in the US able to do the operation. I don't know why it wasn't discovered before, or if it was, why they didn't do surgery earlier.
I'm sharing this as it does relate, in a way, to what our 4 footed friends go through. And maybe the human My nephew was in severe pain for the first three days (IV pain meds in addition to the spinal block). They had him up and moving, non-weight bearing within 24 hours. Oral pain meds after three days. Five days after surgery he was in the car for the two day ride back home. Two weeks after surgery, he was off of all pain meds, with the exception of an occassional Advil. He has daily physical therapy and strict limitations on what he can and can't do. He requires assistance to get up, but then does fine. (Sound familiar?) Rehab will take months, but he is already more comfortable than he has been in years. I would definately inquire about physical therapy options. Though not cheap, I think the rate of improvement would make it worth it. You have time to explore your options and get more opinions. Good luck. |
| Agree that you should get a second opinion. Our former dog went to 2 vets including an orthopedic specialist before the 3rd correctly diagnosed what was wrong with him.
It is very hard to see them in pain--my prayers are with you as you make the right decision for Pita and yourself. |
| If you want to talk with people who's dog's have had FHO surgery, please contact Grannie Annie with NEOESR. I'm sure she'll put you in touch with people who have had to take the surgical route in order to help their dogs with hip dysplasia. Contact information- http://neoesr.org/doghome.htm
This is the most recent case I can think of that NEOESR has worked with. http://www.neoesr.org/harvey-1206.htm I believe Belinda with Tarheel OES Rescue http://www.tarheeloesrescue.org/contactus.html also had FHO done on Marley... maybe in 2002? Maybe you can get a better idea on surgical options if meds and supplements aren't enough. First hand experience is always best. Best wishes to Pita~ |
| Thank you all for supporting words...
I've been visiting all the support sites recommended and I've also been reading up on HD and everything as much as I can.. I guess the ultimate answer I'm looking for is.. how much and for how long can my baby go on with medical treatments w/o surgery? 1 year? 3 years? 5 years? for life? I know it depends on the condition of the dog and all dogs are different... We are waiting for out vet to call back with Bile Acid test results.. He said Pita's liver enzymes level was elevated to 350 so he performed the test before putting her on an NSAID... How does one go about for a second opinion? Do you ask your current vet to give you a copy of all the test results and x-ray and go to another vet? Or do you go to a new vet and have them do the procedures again? |
| Hugs to you and Pita! If you've been searching the posts you have most likely run across our post of Hannah's bout with hip dysplasia posted under Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed at Age 7. It has a lot of good info.
It's certainly devastating news when first received but then you get over it and onto solutions. Going the medication /supplement/alternative treatment route is not necessarily cheaper in the long run. Maybe only cheaper in the fact that it's small increments over time and not a huge lump of money at once. I have to say though that the treatments we have been undertaking with Hannah are really costing a bundle. But we are choosing everything we are aware of that's available other than surgery at this time. The main reason we are not considering surgery at this time is because Hannah has other health issues in addition and I'm quite frankly afraid of the risk of surgery for her. Trust in yourself to know how to make the right choices for your girl. I'm sure you will! Please feel free to pm me if I can help in anyway. |
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