Dislocated Hip: My Dog Has One

[RaccoonFace]

Preface:
8.75lb
Chihuahua/Pomeranian
Really frisky 9 year old


Anyone ever go through the recovery of a canine dislocated hip? I've been looking around the internets and find that she is about 6 weeks away from activities outside of confinement, but I will be careful to ease her out of confinement. She just had the bone replaced in the socket without surgery and I hope it will stick. Apparently she has an eensy bit of arthritis at the joint but nothing too terrible.

My question, and the reason it is in Tech Talk, is what kind of things did you do to make recovery a better process for you and you animal? I ran out and got a kennel for her that is just big enough for her to turn around in (her new home for the next 6 weeks). But, how do you know when they need to do stuff, or when they're able to walk? Tips or tricks, things you did that worked and things you did that did not. Any info would help as I want to do my best to ensure the recovery period is successful and comfortable.

Also, after "recovery" how does your animal hold up? Today, before she hurt herself, I saw my 10" high 12" long dog run full speed off a 5 foot ledge and charge to the neighbor's fence to yell at them. This is/was normal and happened all the time. I don't expect her to ever be 100%, but will she know this behaviour is probably too gnarly from now on?

Thank you Minions!

okbye

[RaccoonFace]

Okie dokie.

I got to the Vet at 8 am. I left at 8.50am. I returned with a dysfunctional dog at 9.45. It sucks, but I sorta expected it since I'm familiar with joint dislocation. The next decision sucks, but it has to be made.

I am opting for FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy). This is where the head of the femur is cut off and the leg is sewn up. Apparently this is fairly common. In the coming weeks a "false joint" is formed and she will regain mobility. After a fairly short recovery period 2 weeks for surgery and ~6 weeks total my dog should be using her leg again. Since she is a small dog I expect she should recover to 80% or so. From now on weight management will be important. She will be able to use the leg again but is is common for it to get sore so perhaps we won't be hiking anymore or playing as long as we used to.

I will keep posting the experience in case someone else needs to see this. Also, I will post up any helpful info I find.

okbye

NOTE: I found some info, but they're too big to attach. If you're interested email me and I will send them to you. They seem to have some notes that are helpful and cover some things that I was wondering about too. BUT, they are from a company trying to sell you their crap so you may want to sift the sales info out when you read.

[XtrPickels]

I am opting for FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy). This is where the head of the femur is cut off and the leg is sewn up. Apparently this is fairly common. In the coming weeks a "false joint" is formed and she will regain mobility. After a fairly short recovery period 2 weeks for surgery and ~6 weeks total my dog should be using her leg again.

seriously?
That sounds heinous.

[PuderLuder]

My Labrador had a TPLO surgery when she was about 5 or 6. It is kind of like the equivalent of a human ACL reconstruction. In the dogs case though, they just totally sever the ligaments, cut off the head of the femur (K9 version), rotate it and clamp it back on with a permanent steel plate. The idea is that in the new orientation, the knee no longer needs the ligaments.

Well this was a huge deal. I think she was in a crate for 6 weeks and then a short leash for a while after that. The toughest thing is that you cannot tell a dog to "take it easy" or "only 20% weight baring", etc. You have to just prevent them from any opportunity: therefore being either in the crate or on a very short leash only for bathroom trips (which I held up rear end with a sling).

It probably took her the better part of 6-9 months to fully recover, but she has been 100% ever since, She is 11 now, and still goes to 11! Honestly, I cannot remember which knee it was she has recovered so well. It was heart breaking at the time- but I am so glad I did it. It is the best money I've ever, or will ever, spend. No doubt.


Here is the bean shortly after surgery going out to the bathroom (not to often you see a sad Labrador).

And now the original PuderLuder tearing it up in Davos, she is about 9 here.

[hutash]

Your post are more rambling then usual, but I assume she dislocated her hip, the vet reduced it, and then she reluxated it again. Correct?

If so, then an FHO is a reasonable option considering the size and already arthritic hip. It is a fairly simple procedure and very affective. She will be damned close to 100% when healed. She will always have a limp, because one leg will be slightly shorter, but it will be a functional hip, not a painful limp. Keep her her quiet for about two weeks, but start PT as soon as she allows some gentle range of motion movements. After two weeks get her out and about. You want to get early return to activity so the scar tissue does form too tight a bond between the bones. Just feed a good diet and forget all the expensive supplements...better yet, send all the money you would have spent on it to me.

She will be back to skiing 3 foot powder days with you in no time at all.

[Danno]

She will be back to skiing 3 foot powder days with you in no time at all.

An 8.75lb Chihuahua/Pomeranian???

[hutash]

An 8.75lb Chihuahua/Pomeranian???

Yeah, didn't you see it in the picture right next to PuderLuder's lab

[RaccoonFace]

VVV My dog redid her hip in the crate because she was barking so hard. Her hip was in place and she thought she was good to go; I tried to tell her but she wouldn't listen. I left the pics in there because it's nice to see good dog stories.

The toughest thing is that you cannot tell a dog to "take it easy" or "only 20% weight baring", etc. You have to just prevent them from any opportunity: therefore being either in the crate or on a very short leash only for bathroom trips (which I held up rear end with a sling).

...It was heart breaking at the time- but I am so glad I did it. It is the best money I've ever, or will ever, spend. No doubt.


Here is the bean shortly after surgery going out to the bathroom (not to often you see a sad Labrador).

And now the original PuderLuder tearing it up in Davos, she is about 9 here.

Your post are more rambling then usual, but I assume she dislocated her hip, the vet reduced it, and then she reluxated it again. Correct?

Yes. Sorry, I didn't realize I was rambling. I had another visit with her real vet, and I was shocked when he said she'd be 100%! It put a big smile on my face. She gets cut Thrusday morning. I can't wait.

okbye