[socalyte]

Hi all. I’m new here and though I don’t own a Yorkie, my Maltese has an issue I discovered was discussed numerous times here from doing a search on the internet. I hope you don't mind me coming here for some help and advice! I have a Maltese who is under three pounds at 8- 1/2 months of age. She was limping on her right rear leg, so I took her to the vet three weeks ago-- luxating patella was ruled out so the working diagnosis was sprain. A few days ago I took her in for an x-ray to just reassure myself as she was still limping, plus I had read a bit about Legg-Calve-Perthes and wanted to be proactive in case it was. The x-ray shows hip dysplasia, and it’s pretty severe. The vet suggested strongly we do a femoral head osteotomy, and soon since it’s bad and she is in pain (although other than limping, I would never have known because she is a pretty active and seemed like a happy little dog). It is bilateral, with the right much worse than the left- the left side may or may not need surgery. We are seeing a specialist for a second opinion, but my community vet seems very confident about doing the procedure himself and has done them before. Anyone whose little one has had an FHO, did a specialist or your regular vet do it? How did it turn out? I’m freaked about the surgery (of course), and especially since removing the femoral head means there is no bony joint.

Prayers and good thoughts would be very appreciated-- I am really upset, and of course want to do the right thing by my baby. I hate that she has been in pain and hate that it looks like surgery is required.

By the way, she was very well bred by a show breeder and has excellent lineage of champions for many generations, so I was very careful in choosing my breeder and puppy.