Femoral Head Ostectomy on our Catahoula

    • Gold Top Dog

    Femoral Head Ostectomy on our Catahoula

    This is Molly, our 1st foster dog from CAAWS…I describe Molly’s recent history in the thread

    [url]http://forum.dog.com/forums/t/114416.aspx[/url]







    Puppies she recently gave birth to are already adopted.  When being spayed, the vet took x-rays of her hips that showed a couple of BB’s on her right side, showing someone shot her, but he said the BB’s present no further concern.  He also found that she’d had surgery on her left hip, probably as a pup (it’s called Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO), where they remove a fractured hip ball and insert the thighbone directly in the capsule/socket). The doctor said it is common (due to low cost) and also presents no problem going through life - just keep weight at a trim 55-60 lbs and give good walks for exercise.  

    She’s a chocolate dapple colored Catahoula mix (the vet said no less than ¾ Catahoula) born around January 2009. All that remains is her 12 week heartworm pos. treatment for a clean bill of health.  She is a gentle and sweet girl, full of life and happiness, despite everything (she was probably bred more than once).  Our recently deceased Sissy had a lot of Catahoula in her, and they both have the same whine/yawn. 

    What is fascinating is just how well she walks w/ no hip ball, and the vet was excitedly optimistic that she always would. 

    Does anyone have experience with FHO?

    • Gold Top Dog

    I've got no experience with the FHO but just wanted to say I'm so glad that Molly is now in good and loving hands.   She looks like a real sweetheart. 

    • Gold Top Dog

     My late Chow had FHO surgery as a young dog. He had no issues and did very well.

    • Gold Top Dog

     Well. the FHO made no difference to a middle-aged couple who adopted Molly the first time we brought her to adoption day!  They looked at another Catahoula from a different shelter and were more attracted to Molly.

     

    Nice thing is, they happen to live within a dog walk distance from us, so maybe we'll get together and see Molly in the future.

     

    For anyone who finds a dog with FHO, I can see no reason that this should affect your adoption choice.