16ga.com ~ View topic - If your dog needs a Total Hip Replacement...

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 208

I am not given to promoting anything or anybody as a rule, but I have to post this here in case anyone is considering replacing a hip on a good bird dog or just a canine bud.

I got my 8 year-old GSP back on Friday night from the vet, following my dog's SECOND hip replacement by this surgeon. Tonight, Monday night, my dog is literally gamboling and bouncing about in his little 12x12 recovery area, to the point that I should be restraining him a little. He's putting more weight on the foot of the replaced hip now, than he was before I took him in for the surgery. Just amazing.

Here's the deal: this is my dog's second hip replacement, done by the same doctor. The first one was on his left hind hip, five years ago. For five years straight that hip has been rock solid with no problems. I fully expect that this hip will perform the same.

Whether the cost of putting that much money into your dog is worth it is up to you. But if you decide you're going to do it, I recommend paying to have it done by the best surgeon/staff/facility out there, and pay for it only once.

The Vet's name is Tom Turner, at VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital, in Berwyn, Illinois. 708.749.4200. Of course, you'd do well to Google any surgeon for any surgery on any animal or human. If you Google Dr. Turner, you'll see that his credentials are terrific, bordering on the amazing. I don't recommend him for his credentials, though, rather just for what he's done for my bird dog and best friend. If you need further info, just drop me a PM. 8mmFan

Member Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 134 Location: TEXAS

I had my own hip replaced some years ago, and suffered a long recovery. I may contact your man if I need the other one done. I was definitely not gamboling around anytime after the surgery.

I'm glad that you and your dog found a good surgeon.

HHH

Member Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 348 Location: Missouri

Just for curiosity what kind of ballpark $$$ are we talking about here?

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 208

Hipshot: I would certainly not feel shy about having the man do my own, if it came to that--among other non-human primates, he's done surgery on a rare Gibbon ape and a gorilla at the Brookfield zoo! Your hip or mine should be duck soup!

MtJim: I believe that the first hip cost me right at $4,600 five years ago. The price has gone up since then, and this one tipped the dollar scale right at $5,200 give or take. 8mmFan

I had my Setter's hip done nine years ago, when he was one year old. He also bounced around in his crate. So, my wife thought "it was a sin" to restrain him so much. Well, he threw the implant. (He popped the implant out of the socket) and we had to redo the entire thing.

If your dog is a bit feisty, I'd suggest some "doggy downers" until his muscles heal around the implant.

I'm getting my hip done this coming December.

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 208

Prussian Gun Guy, I know exactly how you must have felt.

I feel sick tonight.

My dog's hip was replaced ten days ago. It was coming along great. In some ways, believe it or not, you wouldn't have known he'd had any surgery.

Long and the short of it...the doorbell rang, and he got excited and jumped his gate and messed up his hip yesterday. Either the sutures inside are torn, the hip is out of whack, or he tore his ACL, which is kind of what I'm thinking, or all of the above. I can't even express the disappointment around here this evening. Really just hoping for as good an outcome diagnosis/outcome as can be expected.

Man that sucks. Most likely, he tore some internal sutures and the implant popped out of the socket. Unfortunately, it may not be a warranty situation for you. Nine years ago, it wasn't for me. The doctor said he'd warranty "his" work, but I had to cover the other costs. Anesthesia, operating room, etc ... to the tune of 50% additional. Back then, in case anyone is wondering, the surgery was $3000.00.

Does your doctor specialise in sporting dogs? I've been told lately that sporting dogs should be stitched a bit tighter around the muscles. It slows down the recovery a few weeks, but adds extra insurance against a hyperactive dog "throwing" the implant.

My best to you and the pup. Please keep me informed.

Peter

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 208

Thanks, Peter. This particular Dr. does not specialize in sporting dogs, but he's done a lot of them... a lot of field trialers, pointers, setters, all kinds. The word around is that he does more canine hip replacements than about any other vet in the country.

I would definitely NOT expect any warranty work...it just wasn't any fault of the vet. It it comes down to it, I'll just have to bite the bullet and pay up to get it fixed. At the end of the day, the fault lies with me. What the heck...I was going to buy a nice old LC or maybe even a Win M21 later this year on toward Christmas. The truth of the matter is that I can go without that if it comes down to it. My dad only ever had about two shotguns total, and my granddad for sure only one. I've got 20 or so. Life isn't so hard around here that I can't give something up to get it re-done. I can't stop grinding my teeth though when I look at Jake the last couple of days.... He doesn't start taking his medicine a little more easily and I may just get out the Dremel tool and fix it myself!

Thanks again for your well wishes. I'll post here when I know more. 8mmFan

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 208

Peter, just a follow up here. I took him back down to the vet today (130 mile round trip). The vet was in surgery, but popped out for an exam/eval after his staff had X-ray'd the hip. Am tremendously relieved to hear that the replacement held. Most likely, he may have injured some muscle tissue, but it's evidently not serious enough to open him back up. They said that it really does not appear that it could be an ACL tear either. Most likely he just set his recovery time back some.

The dog IS putting more weight on the foot, albeit not nearly as much as before the incident. I guess it's better to be lucky sometimes than smart. Thanks for asking and inputting. 8mmFan

Glad to hear. Zoom Dog makes a natural calming supplement. We use it for July 4th type of occasions. You may want to google it.