Hi. 14 months old labrador female. Fully active. But bad hip with no pain yet. But i dont want to be late. I have got appointment on 30.6 of excisional arthroplasty surgery. I searched about this, that they cut the ball. But whats the benefit of cutting it? Wouldn't it make position worse?
I would have thought a Labrador was too big for this kind of op. Years ago when I worked for a vet he used to take the ball off, then the muscles would compensate and the op was successful, but they were smaller dogs. I had a German Pointer who had a total hip replacement and he was absolutely fine after.
Thanks for reply. I also told them to do total hip replacement but they declined and told me that it is not case yet. Btw i didnt understood. Is cutting ball will make grow new accurate ball?
Hello, I think you really need to go back to the vet that recommended this and talk carefully through the pros and cons and what you can expect as a result - you need to understand all of these things directly from the vets involved (and seek second opinions if necessary). It is certainly not the case that your dog will grow a new femur head, no. This isn't a step on the way to total hip replacement, it's a salvage operation when hip disease is severe. I think I also remember that you live in an apartment, with no garden or elevator? Sorry if I have no remembered that correctly. But if so, you also need to talk to your vet about what care your dog is going to need after such an operation, and work out a plan for how you are going to manage that care. You might need some help for quite a while.
I agree with Julie here. It is indeed a salvage operation. Not one you would go down the route of unless everything else had been exhausted. I THINK what happens is that the muscles around the hip form a kind of thick cover between the removed ball of the hip and the socket. My understanding is that movement and activity is actually pretty good afterwards, but the MAIN reason for doing it is relief of severe pain when there are no other choices. I might cynically wonder if it is a cheaper operation if you are not covered by vet insurance. I would step away and go looking for another opinion My Lilly is now 6. She was diagnosed with severe HD before she was a year old. She has never had an op. She now doesn't even take regular painkillers. You ought to explore all the other options including doing nothing. Jac
Update. I went there again. Now met with senior director team. They said xray is worse as silver digree. They did all physical examination. And they said " we are suprised how this is happening, even with worse xray she have 0 sign of pain, i think this is all god gift because or your love, so she dont need surgury. Come when we have any sign of pain." This statement was good in listening but still. Yea she have no sign of pain. I never gave her pain killer. She runs and play like tiger. I hope she will always like that..
This sounds very like my Lilly. "First do no harm" springs to mind. Keep an eye on her, if she starts limping or showing signs of pain consider a short course of painkillers. Keep her weight down, you must keep her slim, if you can she her last rib when she turns that is just right. Keep her fit so her muscles are good to protect her joints. Swimming is particularly good. Don't rest her or avoid exercise as this won't help (not unless she is limping and sore then have a day or two rest) I would still say if she needed an operation then a joint replacement would be first line not an excision procedure. Wishing you luck
thanks for reply, i also asked for Total hip replacement, unluckily this thing is not available for dogs in this greedy and poor country..
Ah....that is a shame. Well do hope you have many many years before you have to think of surgery. Is your girl neutered? You know you must not breed from her with hip dysplasia or she will pass this to her puppies. Sorry if I am pointing out something obvious to you.
