sheshistory
Moderator
So if you've been following the "Limping Puppy" thread, you know that 15 week old Truman has had an undiagnosed hip issue since he came to me five weeks ago. He was doing better but still limping and sitting funny so he went to a follow up appointment this morning, which included a physical exam and x rays.
The exam and x rays were conclusive. Truman has hip displaysia. His one hip (the bad one) is actually not in socket right now, which is causing the limping. The other hip is still holding strong but the doctor sees evidence in the x ray and the way he stands that it could be a problem in the future. So basically, he needs one surgery for the out of socket hip, another surgery for the in socket but still dysplasic hip.
In order to fix the bad hip, the doctor recommended an femoral head ostectomy, where they remove the head and neck of the femur, making a false joint, relying on the tendons, ligaments, and muscles to hold the joint together without pain. Despite their size, bulldogs are good candidates for this because they are so front heavy.
In order to help the other hip, the doctor recommended Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) surgery, which fuses the growth plate in the lower section of the pubic bone allowing the upper part to grow up and around the femoral head and form tighter joints. This is ideal but it is a fairly new procedure.
So it is a worse case scenario - two surgeries needed for two bad hips. They can do both at the same time and neuter him, which is good, but it also comes at a hefty, hefty price tag with no clear prognosis. It could work in both cases and make him whole, or he could be looking at future surgeries.
I turn to you on the board - if you have any experience on either surgery or hip problems or advice, I would be most grateful. He is an otherwise happy and healthy puppy - but his hips are awful.
Truman, for his part, is resting well this evening - none the worse for wear other than having to miss a meal because of the this morning's x rays! He was NOT happy about that.
The exam and x rays were conclusive. Truman has hip displaysia. His one hip (the bad one) is actually not in socket right now, which is causing the limping. The other hip is still holding strong but the doctor sees evidence in the x ray and the way he stands that it could be a problem in the future. So basically, he needs one surgery for the out of socket hip, another surgery for the in socket but still dysplasic hip.
In order to fix the bad hip, the doctor recommended an femoral head ostectomy, where they remove the head and neck of the femur, making a false joint, relying on the tendons, ligaments, and muscles to hold the joint together without pain. Despite their size, bulldogs are good candidates for this because they are so front heavy.
In order to help the other hip, the doctor recommended Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) surgery, which fuses the growth plate in the lower section of the pubic bone allowing the upper part to grow up and around the femoral head and form tighter joints. This is ideal but it is a fairly new procedure.
So it is a worse case scenario - two surgeries needed for two bad hips. They can do both at the same time and neuter him, which is good, but it also comes at a hefty, hefty price tag with no clear prognosis. It could work in both cases and make him whole, or he could be looking at future surgeries.
I turn to you on the board - if you have any experience on either surgery or hip problems or advice, I would be most grateful. He is an otherwise happy and healthy puppy - but his hips are awful.
Truman, for his part, is resting well this evening - none the worse for wear other than having to miss a meal because of the this morning's x rays! He was NOT happy about that.
This is so heartbreaking to hear of. I also have no experience with this which is of no help to you but I am sure with fb postings there will be some help somewhere. I will also cross post on my fb and hoping that with my bulldog/dog friends I will get some kind of response.
