First post, hello all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My rescue GSD was just diagnosed with HD at 8 months. Official penn-hips are pending but based on what he saw, vet is recommending triple pelvic osteotomies for both hips. She has no secondary arthritic changes.

I am interested in people's experience with this surgery and the recovery process. I am having a hard time psyching myself up for putting her through 10+ weeks of torture. The outrageous costs aren't helping the deal - at least we have pet insurance.

BTW we have employed all preventative strategies in her first 6 months - the HD is obviously genetic. Maybe why someone dumped her and her two sisters at 8 weeks.

Anyone gone through this? Thanks in advance...

Hi Krista,

Is your pup having trouble getting around? I am curious as to what led to the HD diagnosis.

I took my 6-month-old male GSD to the vets office yesterday because his right rear leg is wobbly and his gait seems very awkward. The vet mentioned triple pelvic osteotomies for dogs under the age of 10 months. I was also curious about the success rate of this procedure. Seems to me that (if possible) diet and weight control along with controlled exercise is the best option unless the HD is severe.

Good luck with your puppy.

Mike

If your dog is not experiencing any problems from the HD I would not do the surgery. If later the HD becomes an issue a THR can be done but I would not do any surgery if the dog is doing fine. Swim the dog and keep the dog off of grains etc. I don't think most pet insurance cover the cost of genetic diseases unless you have an outstanding plan. Before any surgery I would call and verify it is covered.

Karmen's advice sounds good to me; however I think the vet told me that this particular procedure must be done before the dog reaches 10 months....does anyone know anything about this?

Yes, it must be done before 10 months but I still would take my chances and not do the surgery. I would wait til the dog was older and get a THR done if or when the dog shows signs. The TPO breaks the pelvis and rotates the hips back in the socket and use plates and screws to holds the the repositioned acetabulum while the osteotomies heal. I just would not do that surgery on that young of a dog. Even if my dog was needing surgery at that young age I would make him/her comfortable and wait to do the THR.

Unfortunately she is already showing signs of discomfort. Difficulties getting up after moderate exercise, growling at her butt when she bends around to scratch her ear, hesitance to jump up on anything, etc.

The vet said she is a near perfect candidate and the surgery will 'most likely' save her a life of reduced lifestyle and pain. I know nothing is guaranteed. The clock is ticking, 10 months is the preferred cut-off for this procedure. Mostly due to the fact the procedure shouldn't be done if there are any secondary changes in the joint (ie arthritis or capsule damage). After 10 months a dysplasic dog usually has some further damage...

My insurance actually does cover genetic HD but has a 3k cap for any event. The premiums are a little expensive but I am sure glad I got it now.

I realize HD is managable. We do the right supplements, keep her slim, avoid grains, and are trying to teach her to swim (she is terrified of the waves).

Given she is already in pain and I am deathly afraid of the COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs like derramax and rimadyl (if I can't give it to grandma should I give it to my dog???)
Do I owe it to her to try and stop the disease progression??

Such a hard call.

Anyone actually had both hips done in a pup? I am interested in potential personality changes after 10 weeks of being locked in a cage...

My old GSD, Chelsey, had a TPO. The first surgery was around the age of 6 or 7 months. She recovered amazingly quickly and was a happy dog, even throughout the healing process. There is no doubt in my mind that I did the right thing. We ended up having to put her down at 8 years because of cancer. During the cancer diagnosis, her hips were x-rayed and the vet commented that her hips were still "perfect". There was no arthritis and the joints were still perfectly aligned. She lived a fully, happy and energetic life. I say go for it and you won't regret it.

Karmen, TPR is total hip replacement? I tend to agree with Karmen. I definitely would not do the surgery unless the problem was severe.

Isn't there another procedure where the socket is completely removed?

Mike. My surgeon did not specify an age. He said that as long as there was no arthritis present in the joints, that the TPO could be preformed. Some vets may give a blanket statement of 10 months because it's been their experience that arthritis develops by then. However, I see no reason why even a 14 month old could have the TPO as long as there was no arthritis present. Of course, I'm not a vet.

My ortho vet said the TPO needed to be done BEFORE the severe arthritic changes becpme too advanced. If your dog is experiencing symptoms at this age it may be too advanced to do the TPO. There is always the choice of FHO which removes the femoral head and they form a false socket. I have had experience with the THR (total hip replacement and the FHO, femoral head osteotomy). I prefer the THR as it removes the diseased joint and replaces it with fresh "bionic" perfect joints <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> But is sounds like you have made the decision to do the TPO so let us know how it goes.

Also Krista where are you from?