Dog Community

Hip Dislocated

Posted : 8/13/2006 10:12:31 PM

Hi,
My mother's 1 year old Pug was hit by a truck and she took it to the vet. The vet did x-rays and said nothing was broke; however, the hip was dislocated. The vet said she could have surgery for around $1,800 or just let it heal on its own. The vet said the dog my limp but should get along fine. My question is should the hip be put back into the socket before attempting to "let it heal"? Is this possible or is surgery the only answer?

Since he is young, I don't want him to spend the rest of his life in pain.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/14/2006 7:31:05 AM

I can't believe the vet didn't SAY That -- in honesty, that's not a question we can answer -- that's got to be based on x-rays and what's actually going on with it -- I'd question that vet MUCH further. The hip may have been dislocated and then gone back in, or it may still be out (which would be excruciating). If this vet can't be any more forthcoming than this about what's going on I'd find a different vet!!

nfowler

Posted : 8/14/2006 10:42:24 AM

It might be too late to put the hip back in. Callie's right--you should understand the whats and whys of this particular situation.

My guess is that they want you to do an FHO, and if you don't, then you should know this: he'll limp because it's luxated and it's now longer than the other leg.

Gary Walker

Posted : 8/14/2006 9:28:00 PM

The accident happened last Wednesday, August 9th. I wasn't at the vet's office and both of my parents are hard of hearing, so it is possible they didn't get the story straight. But they said the vet showed them the Xray and it was dislocated. They didn't mention about putting it back. I plan on speaking with the vet but I wanted to become more educated on this type of injury before I spoke to him. I have read some about FHO. Could you tell me what the acronymn stands for? I thought this was more of a procedure when the hip socket or ball is damaged?

nfowler

Posted : 8/14/2006 10:38:27 PM

It's use for a lot of things, and, unfortunately, on a smaller dog (less than 30 lbs) that's all they can do. I'm not sure why, when hips get dislocated, that seems to be the procedure of choice, but it's done quite routinely.

How much does the little dog weigh? I'm concerned about the pain and wondering if he/she is on any pain meds. I can't imagine that for a normal dog (my boy is NOT normal and never was so I can laugh about it, but certainly this is not your situation) trying to get around on a newly dislocated hip is comfortable in the least.

He'll be okay. It'll be a long recovery, but if the vet does it right (that is, cuts the bone where it needs to be cut), he'll be out and about in no time.

Not sure how other people here see it, but I think it's a fine solution. Oh, it stands for Femoral Head Ostectomy (sp).

M.W.Lewis

Posted : 8/15/2006 12:28:01 PM

I know of a 13 pound dog whose hip was dislocated. The vet put it back in the socket manually and six months went by then it popped out again. The owner contacted a vet in Florida, Jon Dee, who suggested they try to put it back in the joint again before resorting to surgery. It was put back but popped out again, by then third time, and they were given the choice of FHO or a toggle pin surgery. FHO was chosen and performed and the dog is now in hydrotherapy recovering nicely. The vet said it is not always advisable for very active dogs as this one so they wanted to make sure it was the final option.
Apparently the toggle pin surgery was not a good choice due to irritation from the pin and possible arthritis.

Gary Walker

Posted : 8/16/2006 6:47:01 AM

He weighs 18 lbs. What is the average cost to expect for FHO?

M.W.Lewis

Posted : 8/16/2006 1:11:21 PM

I don't know but would imagine it depends which part of the country you are in.
I would think an ortho specialist would be the only way to go also.
Here is an orthodogs yahoo group, you could probably get pricing estimates:
[linkhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/?yguid=209659157]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/?yguid=209659157[/link]

nfowler

Posted : 8/17/2006 12:02:18 AM

It can be anywhere from $400 to $2200. It depends on where you are and who you go to see. While I agree that an ortho specialist is best, as would a board-certified surgeon--you should also look for somebody who's done hundreds of these surgeries. They know things and have seen lots of cases and situations that the younger ones haven't.

There are various ways to pay for the surgery, too. You can do the no interest for 6 months thing on some, if need be.

Where are you at, if you don't mind my asking?

dvet

Posted : 8/19/2006 2:36:35 PM

it could be put back at most anytime but the longer it waiats the more surgical part is rqeuired...however if left alnoe the hip will eventually form a new socket...there may be a limp but the dog could care less......But, being a vet, I sure would have liked someone to question my judgement on this case.....cause something more should have been done...And I sure wish I could get that much for a simple proceedure...retired too soon

nfowler

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:47:32 PM

Yes, you did retire too soon! [

]

Doesn't the dog having to form a new socket go through lots of pain? I just read that a dislocated hip means FHO if it's gone too long--how "long" is defined is the great unknown to me.

dvet

Posted : 8/20/2006 8:34:51 PM

forming a new socket is not the best option..but merely and option...I don;t think, or at least have not seen them being in pain while this was happening...but i have only seen about two that were let go long enought for that option to take place.