Has anyone suggested removing the femoral head? It sounds ghastly but it does
provide pain relief . The bone on bone grinding is what causes the pain.
Not all dogs are candidates for this procedure. It is generally less expensive and the recovery period is not all that different from replacement.

Has anyone suggested removing the femoral head? It sounds ghastly but it does
provide pain relief . The bone on bone grinding is what causes the pain.
Not all dogs are candidates for this procedure. It is generally less expensive and the recovery period is not all that different from replacement.

Yes, that was also a surgical option. The price for that is about $3000, but even that is out of my price range at the moment. Any form of surgery is not a realistic option for me for at least another year to year and a half.

I have been following this story with great interest as I too have a female GSD with hip dysplasia. After originally misdiagnosed we got an x-ray which indicated advanced HD; only way I became aware of it was that she quit herding and needed a hand up in the car. Doc recommended a product named "Phycox" which was miraculous - and i do not believe in medical miracles. She has been on this supplement (available on Amazon) for about 2 years. Two vets recommended to keep her on this as long as it works.

During a vet visit last week the new vet who reviewed her x-rays suggested she should have surgery and that there is a new procedure by which a small insertion is made and the nerve is scraped to the point that it does not grow back; and this of course eliminates the pain for the dog. Surgery is performed by an orthopedic specialist.

I am just beginning to explore about this and other options and actually went on this forum today to begin my own post to learn if anyone out there has heard off or experience with this - you may want to stay tuned in on this as well. Also before I do anything a new-rays along with a consulation with the ortho will be taking place.

I read your original post so sorry if I repeat something. Look up vets who do Prolotherapy. I work at a Prolotherapy for people office, have had it extensively myself and it works tremendously in many many cases. When my rottie was diagnosed with inoperable elbow dysphasia and we were told to think about having him put down, we found a prolo vet in Chicago and drove him there from TN. He has been a normal dog since a year old and he is 3 plus.

Dysplasia starts with looseness in the ligaments and prolo tightens them back up. Testosterone is crucial to the maintenance of connective tissue, "possibly" why you saw a big difference after the loss of it after neutering. Look into testosterone drops in the bio-identical form. Ask a holistic vet. If we have to neuter Tanka for any reason, I will give him a low dose of supplemental testosterone from day one to maintain his connective tissue.

I can't see where you are since I'm on mobile, but we now have a local prolo vet now who will help you find a knowledgable prolo vet closest to you if you want to look into it. Super affordable and the dog has no down time while it heals.

I can't stress enough to look into it. It is a phenomenal therapy for humans and dogs. I'm sure one of my two vets would talk to you on the phone about it.

Best of luck. It was a real prayers come true for Tanka. He has a normal life now.