Has anyone any experience of the after effects off this operation? I am thinking particularly of dogs doing things like bounding up stairs, standing on hind legs to look out of the window, skidding (with legs in all directions) on hard floors etc. Are they 'safe' doing all the crazy Labrador things? Thanks for any info that anyone can give me.
Re: Hip Replacement Hi Madge , I'm on my phone so not the best for replying... Forgive me , but do you mean yourself or your dog ? If it's your dog ,I've never heard of a lab having this ( granted im only enjoying life with my first lab)op but it sounds major so whilst your dog will stand a good chance of being very active after recovery from the op .... The initial recuperation will need to be handled very carefully and cautiously to give your dog the very best chance . If ive understood you right , I'll check back when I'm around again this eve and find you some links to advice on post operative management and excercise of a young lab....
Re: Hip Replacement I had a German Shorthaired Pointer who had a hip replacement. He had an epileptic fit while recuperating which was alarming as I was terrified he would have damaged the hip. The recuperation period was 'difficult' but nowhere nearly as bad as the broken elbow with my pup, he didn't need to be caged. When all was healed he was amazing, could do everything with no problem. I don't think hard floors are a good idea though, we had carpets. Before he had his op I remember seeing a mad Collie on the hills, rushing hither and thither and the owner said the dog had had a hip replacement and was absolutely fine. I completely forgot my GSP had had a hip replacement. Sadly he died aged 8 due to epilepsy.
Re: Hip Replacement A couple of years ago we had reason to think that our dog might have problem hips. We got x-rays, which showed that his hips were actually really good, but before that I'd researched all I could about canine hip replacements and, in my stressed state, had even picked out a surgeon! From what I learned, modern artificial hips for dogs are terrific, much better than the biological originals, and give pain-free, full function for life. Although I have no personal experience of this, I was under the impression that once the artificial hip has fully embedded into the bone it was possible for the dog to live a totally normal life in every way. After the op dogs are able to walk, with some assistance, within a day or two. I'm not sure of the length of the recovery period during which the dog would go though a programme of working up to normal activity though. There are a couple of options with hip replacements - one using bone cement to fix the implant to the thigh bone etc and one using a porous surface that the bone grows into. I would've gone for the latter, had it been necessary.
Re: Hip Replacement Thank you for your input, I did Google 'hip replacements in dogs' and in the main they seemed to be successful, coupled with the replies that I had on here it has given me plenty to think about.
Re: Hip Replacement Hi there Is this for your dog Madge? Or one that you might take on? I noticed on the introduction thread you were fostering. I hope it all works out, anyway.
Re: Hip Replacement Hi Julie, Unfortunately the fostering didn't work out, lovely dog too! The hip query is about a 'may be' dog, all the operation is over and done with so there is no aftercare involved, I am just worried about things that could go wrong and as we have vinyl plank flooring that dogs seem to find it easy to skitter over, a window that they can stand on their hind legs looking out of and stairs to bound up and down I just wondered if anyone here would know first hand how a dog would cope, though I will ofcourse be asking the current fosterers the same questions if we decide to take it further.
Re: Hip Replacement Good luck with the next dog, I hope you suit each other. Well, I think non slip floors are best for any dog, particularly if they have had joint problems or operations. You can buy backing to go on rugs, which I what I did when my boy had a cruciate op. It did help a lot.
Re: Hip Replacement I had a Weimaraner who had a total hip replacement aged 3yrs old. He had no problems at all after the recovery period and was always up for long walks and playing with his doggy mates. I would be careful of the hard floors though, but that can be easily remedied with some non slip rugs. I would also try to find out what state the dog's other hip is in, as although I was told that 80% of dogs only need the one hip replacement there is that 20% that need the other one doing as well.
