Hip Surgery for My Dog

Hi everyone -

Looking for some advice, hugs, whatever...

Our dog dislocated her hip on Saturday :(. We obviously knew she was injured but didn't know what specifically until DH brought her to the vet today. She was not hit by a car or anything like that - DH was showering her and she got spooked and tried to run away and overextended her leg/hip. Vet said an injury like this usually does not happen from something like that - more like a car accident, etc. However, we found her as a rescue 8 years ago and it was obvious she'd been abused - she always walked a little "off," so the vet thinks the hip was weak/old injury, etc.

So, they put her under twilight sedation and tried three times to "pop" her hip back in - stayed for a moment, came back out.

So - we can't leave her the way she is - so it's either surgery or put her to sleep. She's only about 9-10 years old - we don't know for sure since we found her and a "young" dog. We don't really have the choice because we are not going to put her to sleep, but I just don't know what to do. Since DH and my brother took her in this morning, we are going back together this afternoon to pick her up and so I can ask my questions. Dr. told DH that recovery takes time but dogs are great afterwards - running, etc and that you would never know some dogs had the surgery.
I think I'm just starting to freak at the thought of taking care of a 9.5 month old - PT twice a week with him, always running around, DH who works a million hours a week and freaking at the thought of taking care of a dog that I really can't do by myself (my brother had to come over yesterday to help me get her outside to go to the bathroom etc.)
For those of you who remember the trauma I had last year with losing my little Pookie cat, I am also reliving some of that.

Anyone go through this surgery?
If you read through all my ramblings, thank you.

Re: Hip Surgery for My Dog

I'm sorry.

I haven't been through it, yet. But I know someday we'll be having similar challenges, since hip problems are inherent in Labs.

Questions for the vet - is there swelling in the area making the dislocation worse? Is there a chance that once it goes down, the hip could stay in the socket and be treated with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, other meds etc. instead of surgery? What does the other hip look like and is there a chance of it also having issues?

Regardless, I would definitely take the x-rays and get a second opinion.

Also, as an aside... I've known people who had dogs with bad hips and to help them around, they ran a sling (usually a sheet) underneath the dog's stomach, and supported them while they walked or climbed stairs.

Re: Hip Surgery for My Dog

Posted by greenfreak

I'm sorry.

I haven't been through it, yet. But I know someday we'll be having similar challenges, since hip problems are inherent in Labs.

Regardless, I would definitely take the x-rays and get a second opinion.

Also, as an aside... I've known people who had dogs with bad hips and to help them around, they ran a sling (usually a sheet) underneath the dog's stomach, and supported them while they walked or climbed stairs.

Re: Hip Surgery for My Dog

Thanks for responding, ladies. I also wanted to say thanks to StrongIsland for her FM and recommendations - Since I haven't yet FM'd you back, I figured I would just update here:

Strong - I am in S. Fl. now but I do appreciate your recs for surgeons on LI.

She def needs surgery and we technically have already gotten a 2nd opinion - one of my neighbors is a vet (we'll prob switch to her practice in the future) and I reviewed Puppydog's case with her. When it doesn't work when they try and "pop" the leg back into the hip bone, it is not going to and surgery is necessary. She did stress to me though that she herself (as a general prac. vet) does not do this surgery nor would she want a gen prac. operating on her dog. Our gen vet has done the surgery but I tend to agree that I would like a surgeon doing it - one who does this all day long. When I asked our vet how many he had done, he told me 15-20 - I was waiting for him to say "a year" but it was 15-20 total. I would rather have an expert. Our vet friend recommended the surgeon her practice recommends - small office, low overhead. I am waiting to hear back from her and stressing though because he vm said she does surgery on Mon and Tues.
I can go to one of the larger specialty practices where there are a ton of vet specialists and you are paying $$$$$$$$$.

Medically, both vets confirmed that waiting on the surgery is not going to change the outcome - meaning if she doesn't have the surgery for a few days or next week instead of tomorrow, it's not going to affect the results or success of the surgery. I just don't want her to be in pain and uncomfortable anymore - esp since she wouldn't take her pain pill - no matter how many treats it was hidden in.

I just don't know what to do at this point- like I said, waiting for the vet to call me back - trying to figure out how I would even get her somewhere with a 9 month old and a DH who is forever working...

Just hoping for a callback soon


Thanks for the hugs, I'll keep you guys posted.

Re: Hip Surgery for My Dog

try to hide the treat in a piece of cheese or chicken or peanut butter cut it in half if you have too

Re: Hip Surgery for My Dog

Posted by NoStressBride

try to hide the treat in a piece of cheese or chicken or peanut butter cut it in half if you have too

Re: Hip Surgery for My Dog

I've tried the peanut butter and it works.

I hope things work out for her! Last year we had to have my 9 year old dogs ACL replaced. We had it done by an orthopedic vet and it was tough at first, the recovery and rehad was not eay on any of us, but now she's great and running around like she used to.