[jen24]

hi again,

guess this is mainly directed to vetinhk, but if anyone else has had experience with femoral head osectomy on their dogs please could you give me some more info? my little peke has dislocated his hip (this was caused by his severe hip dysplasia) anyway he's now facing this surgery and although know the basics not sure what the recovery rate is, how long it takes, what's involved etc..

agh seem to be living at the vets these days!

[PC_Man]

HI Jen,
Sorry to hear about your peke's problems.

Surgery is generally the only option if the hip cannot be replaced. The pain of a dislocated hip is too severe to leave alone and peke's are too small for hip replacement surgery (need to be over 20kg I think).

Surgery involves removing the head of the thigh bone so there is no friction between the thigh bone and the pelvis.
The muscles of the leg then support the limb if they are strong enough.

Small dogs like peke's normally do really well and should be walking on the leg within 2 weeks, some even quicker.
If the muscles are v weak though this may take longer or in some cases the leg may not adapt, but this applies more to bigger dogs.

There will probably be a slight limp after surgery but not always - nothing to worry about though usually.

Good luck

[VetinHK]

Hey Jen,

I have sent you another PM. Let me know if you need more info!

Best of luck

[jen24]

thanks for the help! am seeing th evet today to discuss when to perform them surgery (hopefully this weekend). think the pain's getting too much for my little on eto handle and 'cos of an upset stomach he hasn't been able to have any pain medication!

[PC_Man]

Good luck.

On pain relief, ask your vet about tramadol if stomach probs still haven't settled.
Not same type of drug as usual pain killers so might be able to use until stomach settles and can get onto more common pain meds.

Hope all goes well.

[VetinHK]

Hey Jen,

Best wishes for the Surgery. Good tip from PCMan re tramadol. This can be used with or without NSAIDs. Ask your vet about other pain relief too, and also of any medications he may have to settle the tummy. You may also want to consider asking your vet if your peke is a good candidate for a course of Cartrophen injections, either now, or later on in the piece. this may help reduce the possible arthritis pain in the other hip, which is especially important whilst the "bad" hip is healing. Strict comfinement and TLC are very important in the post-operative period. Your vet will be able to give you more specific advice.

Good Luck!