Countdown to a hip replacement
Just 6 more days and I'm not sure I'm ready. It still feels like an elective surgery and how do I look him in the eyes and communicate to him that this is in the long term going to make him more comfortable?
Marlin was one of my SFAS foster dogs I adopted 7 years ago when he was one. Soon I noticed he wasn't putting all his weight on one hind leg. The surgeon in ABQ told me he had a hip that wasn't in great shape, but his knee was worse. He got TPLO (knee) surgery so his ACL wouldn't tear and the surgeon thought his hip could possibly be "managed" without surgery but time would tell.
At just about 8 years old he still runs like a greyhound and jumps in the car on his own. But he still doesn't put all his weight on that hind leg. The vet says that leg has atrophied. Over the years he's been getting glucosamine, adequan injections, dasuquan. The surgeon has been experimenting with stem cells but doesn't recommend it at this point.
If I screw up just once during his 3 month recovery period he could be completely lame or worse for the rest of his life.
Any advice from those who've been through a hip replacement, or tips on how to keep a dog who is used to being free confined for so long is appreciated.
Marlin was one of my SFAS foster dogs I adopted 7 years ago when he was one. Soon I noticed he wasn't putting all his weight on one hind leg. The surgeon in ABQ told me he had a hip that wasn't in great shape, but his knee was worse. He got TPLO (knee) surgery so his ACL wouldn't tear and the surgeon thought his hip could possibly be "managed" without surgery but time would tell.
At just about 8 years old he still runs like a greyhound and jumps in the car on his own. But he still doesn't put all his weight on that hind leg. The vet says that leg has atrophied. Over the years he's been getting glucosamine, adequan injections, dasuquan. The surgeon has been experimenting with stem cells but doesn't recommend it at this point.
If I screw up just once during his 3 month recovery period he could be completely lame or worse for the rest of his life.
Any advice from those who've been through a hip replacement, or tips on how to keep a dog who is used to being free confined for so long is appreciated.
Views: 2
Tags: dysplasia, hip, replacement
Comment
-
Comment by Claudia Inoue on February 11, 2010 at 10:07pm
-
Yup, it is muddy for sure! I haven't been to the dog park in weeks, it's impossible to get in there without being a total mess, humans and animals. I don't know how far you want to drive, Julie....going south is always a good option, the hike down by Bosque del Apache is great and would be dry, but it's quite a long drive :(
-
Comment by Julie L on February 11, 2010 at 10:02pm -
Yes that's Marlin!!!! I was so hoping this would be a warm and dry (not muddy from weeks of snow) weekend so we could do a last warrior hike before the surgery. And Sadie, I love seeing photos of her. What a happy foster story! And it's good to be back in the US. :-)
-
-
I think this is Marlin, too! Kind of wet after playing in the creek, looking up at his mom Julie....and Sadie Girl, who is now so happy, living in Stanley!
-
-
Oh Julie! I have no input, never been in that position. What a decision you have to make! My thoughts are with you! (Welcome back!)
-
Comment by Julie L on February 11, 2010 at 9:43pm
-
Marlin:
© 2013 Created by Ben Swan.
You need to be a member of Santa Fe Scoop to add comments!
Join Santa Fe Scoop