My little shepherd mix (30 lbs. 1 year old) has been diagnosed with severe dysplasia. About 10% on the right and a little more on the left. My ortho (very good) suggests FHO and does it with a bicep sling. But I can't afford him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> $2800 per side. She is bunny-hopping and limping occasionaly so I know she is already in some pain and does have some arthritis already. So much for agility.
My questions are:
1. Is using the bicep sling technique THAT much better?
2. Is the recovery time longer?
3. Do I risk using someone other than the very best? One of the articles here suggests that this procedure does not usually need a specialist.
I don't want to be cheap with my baby but man! I'm already out $400 for the x-rays, and a bit strapped for cash.
Reg: 01-23-2006
Posts: 1608
Loc: Cali & Wash State
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Hi Christi, I'm sorry to hear about Bella. I would only have an FHO done by a specialist. Something I found when a dog of mine had to have total hip replacement was that some hospitals would do the procedure for less, but they were not staffed 24 hrs, did not have the same level of nursing care, etc.. It sounds like you have confidence in your orthopod, which is really important. You know, a dog usually only has to have one side done (whether it's TPO, FHO, or THR). You may want to check to see if your doc accepts "care credit", which would allow you to make monthly payments. For a 2nd opinion, I would go to a vet school for referrals.
Thanks Susan. Surely they have a vet school here. I'll check. So even though both hips are awful she might not need both sides? And when we are talking about specialists, what kinds of credentials do I need to ask for to be sure? And yeah, they accept credit care, but the interest rate goes way up after a year, and there is no way I could pay it off before that.
Where are you located at? We had a an FHO done in Michigan (we are in Indiana) and the guy was excellent. I would higly recommend him. And it wasn't nearly that much money. It might be worth the drive if you weren't too far away.
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FHO questions
#107616 - 06/01/2006 06:31 PM 
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