hip dysplasia

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newf4u

Inactive Member
About a year or so ago my now 3 year old Newf was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia. He has since been on Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, vitamin C, Salmon and Fish oil. Ben's hip has gotten progressively worse and he has been getting regular check ups. He has undergone cortisone shots which were effective, but short lived. Anyways we are to the point now of having to look at something more permanent. Our vet is recommending Femoral Head and Neck Excision. He feels that since Ben is only 3 we need more than just a "bandaid" (ie medication) fix for him. He feels he would be a great candidate for the surgery. I really need some advice. I am having such a hard time being able to accept this. I know we need to do something because Ben is in alot of pain. Just the other day he and I were walking across the yard, it was really quiet out and I could hear his hip ball and socket literally knocking together, it was horrible. Poor Guy. :( I do think this is probably the right thing to do, but I am having such a hard time with this. It makes me sick the thought of taking my guy to the vet and leaving him there knowing that he is going to be cut into and part of his hip bone is going to be removed. Oh my God, what do I do??? I am hoping there is someone out there who has been through this that can help. If there is please come forward. It's so hard to make a decision for someone who is unable to speak. My vet has done this surgery on many other large breed dogs, he did it on a 11 month old Newfy who lived till he was 9 and enjoyed a quality life. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
dmcgynn

dmcgynn

New member
newf4u I have a friend who had this same surgery done on her newf, I know it was a long recovery like most major surgeries but to see this dog now you would never know that there was ever a problem. She runs and plays with the best of them. Hope this helps. My friend use to be or still is a member here I will email her and see if she can post here about the experience. Hope this helps.
 
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mollysmom

New member
newf4u, Gracie had this surgery. I, just like you, worried if it was the right one. I can finally say it was. Gracie's hips were bad, I knew, and we had done all the glu/chon msm,etc, trying to keep her comfortable. no good. She ended up lame, having trouble walking. By just 1 1/2 we had to do the surgery. You need to know that the recovery time is very long. She didn't bounce back and start running around quickly like the dogs that have thr. And, if she ends up needing the second hip done, she has to have thr - removing the femor and socket is not an option on the second leg. And it looks like she will eventually need that one done. But - she is at this point running around on that leg like it was never damaged and repaired. No one has a clue she has no socket/ball. Your boy will need lots of walking, starting slow, building up. your surgeon will go over all that with you.

Even during this past winter, I wasn't sure I had made the right choice, because she still had a limp. It just takes a looonnngggggg time to build up enough muscle to take the place of the joint. I hope I've helped. I am going to im you on newfnet my home email addy. If you want to talk to me, if i can help more, just let me know. Best wishes. Linda
 
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zip

Inactive Member
hi newf4u my newf needs thr to she is 2 now my problem is i have to take my newf over 3 hours away to have it done i have to leave her their for over a week this is going to be so hard on her and me but u got to do whats best for your kids do u think your vet is good alot of people on here has had it done maybe they will help u take care
 
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newf4u

Inactive Member
Hi Zip, wow being away from you baby for a whole week that will be really hard...I hope things work out well. Well it looks like Ben's surgery might be postponed depending on how things go for him in the next week. He was scheduled to go in on the 21st, but on Friday he had a seizure, first time that I know of. Then he continued to have two more on Saturday and then one early Sunday morning. I was fortunate that my vet made an emergency call to see him and he is on Phenobarbatol. He is also quite hypoglycemic for some reason so I am resorting to feeding him something every 3 hours. Unfortunately he is not wanting to eat because he is not feeling well, but his last snack at 11:00 consisted of his kibble with turkey, gravy and peas with a little honey, I warmed it up for him and he gobbled it up. It's been 8 hours since his last seizure I am hoping that the medication and the regular feedings with a little extra sugar ie. peas and honey is helping. Between getting up with him with the seizures and then being with him till he finishes pacing which is usually an hour and then cleaning up the messes he makes when he seizures and the regular feedings...I am feeling like I am the mother of a newborn baby all over again.
Oh well I just hope it works out for Ben. Keep us in your prayers.
 
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