Dog hip surgery may be required if alternative treatments cannot improve your dog's quality of life.
Alternatives to Dog Hip Surgery
Most dogs require hip surgery for hip dysplasia. Some recommend alternative approaches to try first:
- Weight loss
- Reduced exercise
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Cartilage-building agents such as glucosamine
Types of Dog Hip Surgery
If alternative methods fail to improve your dog's hip problems, one of three surgical procedures may be recommended:
- A Triple Pelvis Osteotomy is usually performed on dogs between the ages of eight and eighteen months.
- A Femoral Head Osteotomy removes the ball part of the ball-and-socket hip joint. The resulting scar tissue behaves as cartilage would in a normal joint.
- Total Hip Replacement is performed for the treatment of hip dysplasia, arthritis, and severe fractures of the hip joint.
Risks of Dog Hip Surgery
Infection, which can be mitigated with antibiotics, is a common complication after dog hip surgery.
The repaired bones could dislocate if your dog's movement is not limited during the recovery process.