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dogs, a procedure called a Femoral Head and Neck Osteotomy may be all that is required. In this procedure, the ball part of the joint is actually removed and the dog is able to function normally with a false hip joint made up of the surrounding muscles. For larger dogs, a total hip replacement might be recommended. This surgery is similar to that done in humans, and involves a metal implant to replace the ball part of the joint and an artificial socket placed in the pelvis to give the pup secure hip movement that is pain free.
Q: As a pet owner, I would have concerns about surgery. How successful is surgery? How long does it take to recover?
A: Remember, for most dogs, hip surgery is considered a salvage procedure and is reserved for pets that are so debilitated that they cannot perform their day to day activities comfortably despite proper management. The only time surgery is not considered salvage is in the young puppies where a TPO may help them to grow better, preventing hip issues down the road. Time becomes of the essence for these guys, as the surgery must be done before the growth plates have closed. For the other hip dysplasia dogs, I recommend that you don’t wait for surgery until your dog doesn’t have adequate muscle mass left. It is important to have at least some muscle present to have a good recovery.
Q: Would rehabilitation help my dog’s recovery?
A: We will always do a rehabilitation program in conjunction with surgery. It has been shown in people and animals both to help speed up and improve the quality of recovery after a surgery.
Q: Would rehabilitation ever be a substitute for surgery?
A: I believe that rehabilitation can sometimes be good enough to eliminate or postpone the need for dogs that are more borderline from needing surgery. It plays a huge role in maintaining muscle mass, which is paramount to helping to control clinical signs and prevent pain. It can be very important in promoting our dogs’ health and well-being.
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A: There are various products out there such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate that can help to support joint health. Your regular veterinarian can help you determine what products might prove useful. However, please remember that weight management is a huge deal! Pet parents often feel that a chubby dog is a comfortable, happy dog, and it is hard to deny him or her extra food and treats. However, a study done by Purina (http://www.longliveyourdog. com) has shown that thinner dogs have less arthritis, live longer, and actually have less cancer. It is overall much healthier for a dog to be on the thin side versus the chubby side. You can use the body condition scoring system that is now available to help assess your pet’s weight and to know what an ideal weight should be (http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-andexercise/bodycondition.aspx).
Dr. Langenbach with “Owen”. Photo by Dr. Krisi Erwin
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If I have a patient that is so severely affected with hip dysplasia that medical management, weight control, and physical rehabilitation cannot keep him comfortable, then I will recommend surgery. In my experience, 85 to 90 percent of dogs that require surgery do very well. Recovery time will vary based on the procedure done and may range from 2 months with a TPO, to 3 months with a total hip replacement.
Q: What else can I do to help support my dog’s hip health?
Veterinary Surgical Centers VA locations: Vienna, Leesburg, Winchester and Woodbridge
Ph: (703) 242.6000 To reach the author, Email: wecare@wholisticpawsvet.com
The Virginia–Maryland Dog