Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Good Morning, I have a beautiful 6 month old Australian Shepherd, Benny, who was recently diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. His X-Rays are worse than any other X-Rays I've seen of other pups diagnosed with this. He favors his left him more than his right, causing his right hip to lose muscle and not be used at all. He's been to 2 different vet hospitals and both advised he needs a double hip replacement.
I'm sure this is a question for the vet, but I wanted to post here to see if anyone has any experience in amputation of a limb due to hip dysplasia. I'm concerned about his right hip losing muscle mass and not developing due to him being so young. I'm thinking he may have to have his left hip replaced and right leg amputated due to his condition.
Any advice, help, or suggestions are highly welcomed. Thank you all so much.
Hi and welcome to you and Benny.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, he's such a young guy! I guess my main question is, did an orthopedic specialist review his x-rays? And did they both agree that he needs a dual hip replacement? If so, when do they suggest doing it? My guess is once he stops growing?
If you haven't seen an ortho specialist, that would be my next move.
Yes, quite a few folks have amputated because of severe arthritis and similar reasons. Meg is the one who immediately comes to mine. You can see her first post here, and her blog here. Another dog, Bud, also amputated for similar reasons. There have been many, if you search the forums for a specific phrase like "amputate for severe arthritis" or something similar you may find more examples.
When it comes to amputation, an orthopedic specialist told us that it solves the immediate problem, but presents other problems later on down the road. Namely, severe osteoarthritis and mobility issues. These usually crop up when the dog enters their senior years. So while it may seem like a logical move now, in the long run, you will still be dealing with other issues and physiotherapy to help him be pain-free.
It's a lot to consider, and you may want to get as many opinions as you can since your pup is so young. If you live near a veterinary teaching hospital, I would ask them to review your case. And if you'd like help finding an orthopedic specialist, let us know, we are happy to help.
Stay tuned for feedback from others! And keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, Jerry!
Yeah he's very young and it's heartbreaking. We have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on May 3, 2022 to discuss further what our options will be. Both the ER vet, and our primary vet for Benny advised a double hip replacement would be required due to the severity of his dysplasia. If I knew how to upload photos I'd upload one. Comparing it to just googled images of "severe hip dysplasia in dogs", his are worse than anything I can find in google images.
I've searched the forum but most posts/comments seem to be more related to dysplasia forming in the opposite leg as a result of an amputation to one leg. I'm more curious about anyone that has experience in my specific case. Being the amputation being necessary due to the severity of his hip dysplasia, and getting the left (better condition) hip replaced.
Thank you very much for your response, I look forward to hearing from more members.
Hey there,
You are so welcome. Honestly, I would just wait until you talk to the surgeon. You have time on your side right now, which is soooo valuable. I wouldn't go with the ER and primary vet's opinion right now. This is where specialty care can make or break a situation. Stay strong. May is a lonnnng time to wait but with vet clincs so slammed right now that's par for the course. See if you can get on a cancellation list for a sooner appointment.
Whatever you do, please try to stay away from Dr. Google. Not being experts at hip dysplasia (even us, who have been doing this for a long time, cannot interpret x-rays), you'll make yourself bonkers trying to figure it out.
While your situation is somewhat unique, what it comes down to is should you amputate for a potentially debilitating condition, or go with the orthopedic procedures that the future vet recommends. I'll ping Meg's mom to see if she can chime in. Stay tuned.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
