sheshistory
Moderator
So, as most of you know, Baby T had two hip surgeries almost three months ago, at 14 weeks old.
One of the surgeries, which placed his hip back into socket, can be considered a success. Three months later, the hip is still in socket and the sutures, which held the hip in place, have likely long since been severed, since they were designed to give as Truman grew.
The second surgery, the JPS (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) surgery, was a preventative surgery. Basically, we knew Truman's hips were really loose as a puppy, in order to encourage them to grow in tighter, the growth plate in the lower portion of his pubic bone was fused so the top would continue to grow and create better hip joints. In dogs between 14-16 weeks of age when the surgery is performed, 90% see improvement.
The orthopedic surgeon, who performed the surgery, said that she would like to x ray Truman again at 7 months to see how the hips have grown in. As his 7 month birthday approaches, I am conflicted about getting this set of x rays. Not only would it cost another $150 (which is really not the issue), I'm not sure I want to know if something isn't perfect or he didn't grow into the hips the way we hoped. He hasn't had any problems since the surgery and I am concerned that the x rays will make me crazy over a problem I can, in reality, do nothing about. Even if the x rays do not show perfect hips, he is getting around great and many dogs live without perfect hip joints. If something is going to happen, it's going to happen regardless of what's on that x ray film. On the other hand, information is power and it would be good to know what the hips look like now that he's grown into them a bit more.
What does everyone think? You would have the follow up x rays? Or would you just be happy your puppy is getting around fine after the surgery?
I am totally conflicted so any advice is appreciated!
One of the surgeries, which placed his hip back into socket, can be considered a success. Three months later, the hip is still in socket and the sutures, which held the hip in place, have likely long since been severed, since they were designed to give as Truman grew.
The second surgery, the JPS (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) surgery, was a preventative surgery. Basically, we knew Truman's hips were really loose as a puppy, in order to encourage them to grow in tighter, the growth plate in the lower portion of his pubic bone was fused so the top would continue to grow and create better hip joints. In dogs between 14-16 weeks of age when the surgery is performed, 90% see improvement.
The orthopedic surgeon, who performed the surgery, said that she would like to x ray Truman again at 7 months to see how the hips have grown in. As his 7 month birthday approaches, I am conflicted about getting this set of x rays. Not only would it cost another $150 (which is really not the issue), I'm not sure I want to know if something isn't perfect or he didn't grow into the hips the way we hoped. He hasn't had any problems since the surgery and I am concerned that the x rays will make me crazy over a problem I can, in reality, do nothing about. Even if the x rays do not show perfect hips, he is getting around great and many dogs live without perfect hip joints. If something is going to happen, it's going to happen regardless of what's on that x ray film. On the other hand, information is power and it would be good to know what the hips look like now that he's grown into them a bit more.
What does everyone think? You would have the follow up x rays? Or would you just be happy your puppy is getting around fine after the surgery?
I am totally conflicted so any advice is appreciated!
) and somehow need to know right away what the results are. But, of course, if you feel that waiting will produce the best results and makes sense the most, I'd wait too.
