Canine hip dysplasia treatment is difficult to pinpoint in terms of total cost without examining the patient in question specifically. Hip dysplasia, a condition which affects many dogs worldwide but tends to strike in larger breeds, is a condition that severely impacts the growth, development and mobility of the hips. Dogs with severe hip dysplasia are routinely euthanized, because the condition is extraordinarily painful for the animal and may result in his not being able to move properly. However, there are surgical and other methods of treating hip dysplasia. The exact type of treatment will depend upon the severity and type of your pet's condition.
Non-Surgical Treatment
In some cases, non-surgical treatment can help to prevent or treat hip dysplasia. However, in many cases the hip dysplasia will be advanced in nature or will have the tendency to progress quickly. For these situations, it's crucial that you work with a veterinary surgeon to give your pet the best surgical treatment for his condition that is possible. Non-surgical treatments may include pain relievers, other medical regimens and more. These medicines may range from around $50 to several hundred dollars, depending upon the exact type and the duration for which you give them to your pet.
Physical Therapy
In other cases, physical therapy will be necessary to help manage your pet's condition. Physical therapy may be able to give your dog added mobility and reduced pain in cases in which the hips only have minor problems. Physical therapy tends to run from about $80 to $300 per session. The duration of sessions, frequency of meetings with the therapist and any other excess costs associated with equipment or supplements can add to this total expenditure.
Surgical Treatment
By far the most effective, but also the most expensive, of the treatments for hip dysplasia is surgery. Surgical treatment may involve realigning the hips or it may be as invasive as a total hip replacement surgery. The costs of the surgery are dependent upon a number of factors, including:
- Duration of surgery
- Pre-operative care
- Post-operative care
- Hospital stays
- Medicines for pain relief and recuperation
The more invasive the surgery, the longer that it typically takes and the more expensive it is. Because hip dysplasia surgery is only a moderately specialized surgery and is one that is actually increasingly common among veterinary surgeons, you'll likely be able to compare different options. However, it's a good idea to plan on spending well over $1,000 on the cost of your dog's hip dysplasia surgery treatment. This cost can balloon up to quite a bit higher than that in some cases, so you may find quotes of $2,000, $3,000 or even more. Shop around for a surgeon who you trust and who can provide you with proof of quality surgeries and results in the past.
For more information about hip dysplasia treatment, and how to prevent this condition, ask your vet today.