YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Hip Issue in 8-Month Old Puppy

socalyte · 03-18-2011, 08:36 AM

Just wanted to update everyone on my maltese puppy. What a whirlwind it's been!

I took her to the specialist yesterday, and he said she either had hip dysplasia or Legg-Calve-Perthes, and knowing which it was wasn't that important because treatment is the same, a femoral head osteotomy (FHO) or micro total hip replacement (THR) which is a new procedure. They didn't used to do THRs for dogs under 35 pounds, but the hardware for the procedure is now available, so that was an option if I wanted to pursue it. He didn't do them, but could refer me out. The down-side to the THR is that it is new, so doesn't have a very long track record, the implant is cementless, so will need to be replaced down the road, and I really didn't want to go to yet another specialist. The other issue is also that she would need to be on complete crate rest for a much, much longer period of time, whereas with the FHO she only needed crate rest for two weeks. My friend Pam was with me, and we both felt so comfortable with him that I opted to continue care there. I asked when they could schedule it, and he said "We can even do it today." At first I thought he was kidding, but he wasn't! I thought, why not, we're here, I won't have the stress of awaiting surgery, and I can take her home Saturday morning and have the weekend with her. The other up-side is that unlike my local vet, I didn't have to take her home the same day and deal with blood sugar level issues, pain issues, etc. through the night. I just wasn't prepared to take that on since it is so stressful.

Her surgery was pushed back til yesterday evening due to emergencies coming in, but the specialist called after it was over and said she did absolutely great, no worriesome issues at all! What a relief! I talked to the nurse this morning and my little girl is doing well, even ate for them several times already. She said they all love her, LOL.

She does have a bare little chicken leg now, of course, so if anyone knows someone who sews for a living, I'd really love the referral. I'd like to have some pj's, leisure/jogging-type outfits, etc, made for her to help keep that leg warm, and keep her stylish and pretty, LOL. Since she has longish fur on the rest of her body, I'd want them to be lined with silk or satin. I'm just not a good enough seamstress to do that, and I work full-time and don't have the time to do a good job. Recommendations for seamstresses you trust would be sooooo appreciated.

Thanks for your concern and support. It is more appreciated than you all know!

03-18-2011, 08:36 AM	#8
socalyte YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Camarillo, CA USA Posts: 7	Just wanted to update everyone on my maltese puppy. What a whirlwind it's been! I took her to the specialist yesterday, and he said she either had hip dysplasia or Legg-Calve-Perthes, and knowing which it was wasn't that important because treatment is the same, a femoral head osteotomy (FHO) or micro total hip replacement (THR) which is a new procedure. They didn't used to do THRs for dogs under 35 pounds, but the hardware for the procedure is now available, so that was an option if I wanted to pursue it. He didn't do them, but could refer me out. The down-side to the THR is that it is new, so doesn't have a very long track record, the implant is cementless, so will need to be replaced down the road, and I really didn't want to go to yet another specialist. The other issue is also that she would need to be on complete crate rest for a much, much longer period of time, whereas with the FHO she only needed crate rest for two weeks. My friend Pam was with me, and we both felt so comfortable with him that I opted to continue care there. I asked when they could schedule it, and he said "We can even do it today." At first I thought he was kidding, but he wasn't! I thought, why not, we're here, I won't have the stress of awaiting surgery, and I can take her home Saturday morning and have the weekend with her. The other up-side is that unlike my local vet, I didn't have to take her home the same day and deal with blood sugar level issues, pain issues, etc. through the night. I just wasn't prepared to take that on since it is so stressful. Her surgery was pushed back til yesterday evening due to emergencies coming in, but the specialist called after it was over and said she did absolutely great, no worriesome issues at all! What a relief! I talked to the nurse this morning and my little girl is doing well, even ate for them several times already. She said they all love her, LOL. She does have a bare little chicken leg now, of course, so if anyone knows someone who sews for a living, I'd really love the referral. I'd like to have some pj's, leisure/jogging-type outfits, etc, made for her to help keep that leg warm, and keep her stylish and pretty, LOL. Since she has longish fur on the rest of her body, I'd want them to be lined with silk or satin. I'm just not a good enough seamstress to do that, and I work full-time and don't have the time to do a good job. Recommendations for seamstresses you trust would be sooooo appreciated. Thanks for your concern and support. It is more appreciated than you all know!