New here and already need help! My Cookie had surgery (FHO) :(

[Cachorrita]

Hi, I'm new here. I have a yorkie puppy name Cookie, and right now she's 6 months old. Just recently she had an accident. At first i though she was ok bc she didnt cry or limp. Then i noticed that she was not as active and was getting isolated from my boyfriend and i. She then didnt receive any food and he noticed that she was walking different but for me it was hard to tell. I took her to a good vet in my area @ Sabal Chase Animal Clinic in Miami and i got xrays done. Sure enough...her joint by her pelvis broke. She underwent surgery next day, she had FHO (Femoral Head Osteotomy). Due to the injury she is not allowed to have babies so we decided to have her spayed as well.

Yesterday was her surgery and everything went great. Today we started with her rehabilitation therapy. We are doing everything to the dot as the vet prescribed but also i would like to hear other dog owners who had the same experience with their loved ones. Any tips would help! I would appreciate it!

[Maximo]

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. I am sorry that Cookie was injured, but happy to hear her surgery went well and that she has parents committed to her rehabilitation.

I know a few people here have been through FHO with their pups. They might not be around until this weekend to respond.

Your first few posts in this forum may not show immediately because they are held briefly for moderation. That ends fairly quickly.

Best wishes for Cookie.

[MauiGirl]

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. So sorry to hear your pup was injured and hope she recovers quickly. I have not heard of that type of surgery, but it sounds like you got it taken care of promptly, which is very good.

[jeane]

Hoping cookie heals well

[Patti]

Sorry to hear about Cookie. I am glad her surgery went well.

[gemy]

I am sorry to hear about the surgery, but glad that she is recovering well. It is likely given that the vet said you shouldn't breed her, this was a genetic condition (which is inherited) perhaps Leggs Perthes disease. You should really find out what the problem was, and why he said not to breed. And then if it is genetic the sellers of this dog should be notified, so that they know this has happened to a pup of their breeding program. THIS IS important to do.

[Cherie6446]

Sorry about your little one. My Zoey had this surgery oct of '11. She was one year, eight mons old. The orthopedic surgeon kept her at his home for 5 days until she was able to eat, poop and control her pain. His wife is his nurse and rehab expert. The rehab was very long. Six months with gradual increase in exercise. It was very important that she be rehabbed properly. She has no problems running and playing now.
Good luck with you rehab.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by gemy

I am sorry to hear about the surgery, but glad that she is recovering well. It is likely given that the vet said you shouldn't breed her, this was a genetic condition (which is inherited) perhaps Leggs Perthes disease. You should really find out what the problem was, and why he said not to breed. And then if it is genetic the sellers of this dog should be notified, so that they know this has happened to a pup of their breeding program. THIS IS important to do.

Gemy is right, and this could have been due to Leggs Perthe disease, which normally happens by the time pups are nine months old, and it requires a femoral head osteomy. This is a genetic condition, and if your pup had this, accident or not, she would probably have needed surgery. As Gemy said, your vet probably suggested that you spay your little girl because he knows it is caused by a genetic condition that should not be passed on. Nevertheless, I know it won't be easy to keep her resting for eight weeks, but it will be important to follow all of the doctors orders. If your vet approves it, you might try water therapy in a bathtub or baby pool. Other YT members have gotten their pups strollers so that they could keep their pups with them in the house while still restricting their movement. I hope your little girl heals very quickly and no longer has any pain.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by lisaly

Gemy is right, and this could have been due to Leggs Perthe disease, which normally happens by the time pups are nine months old, and it requires a femoral head osteomy. This is a genetic condition, and if your pup had this, accident or not, she would probably have needed surgery. As Gemy said, your vet probably suggested that you spay your little girl because he knows it is caused by a genetic condition that should not be passed on. Nevertheless, I know it won't be easy to keep her resting for eight weeks, but it will be important to follow all of the doctors orders. If your vet approves it, you might try water therapy in a bathtub or baby pool. Other YT members have gotten their pups strollers so that they could keep their pups with them in the house while still restricting their movement. I hope your little girl heals very quickly and no longer has any pain.

My Mini had this on both sides I kept her in a small makeshift pen which would be like a playpen or something similar...she couldn't do anything because she knew her limitations for about 4 wks. after that I had to put her in her kennel when I wasn't holding her...it wasn't easy but we got through it...and you will too!

[ladyjane]

OK..so she had an accident. Are you saying that the bone was out of the joint? Or, was this a case of Leggs Perthes as others are suggesting? To me, it sounds more like hip dysplasia.

Either way, I am curious as to what you mean by rehab starting the next day after surgery. I have cared for a few pups after FHO surgery and they were simply on crate rest for the first week or so.

I am sure Cookie will do fine...normally they do recover well from FHO surgery.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

OK..so she had an accident. Are you saying that the bone was out of the joint? Or, was this a case of Leggs Perthes as others are suggesting? To me, it sounds more like hip dysplasia.

Either way, I am curious as to what you mean by rehab starting the next day after surgery. I have cared for a few pups after FHO surgery and they were simply on crate rest for the first week or so.

I am sure Cookie will do fine...normally they do recover well from FHO surgery.

Hip dysplasia, dependent on the different causes of it, won't necessarily pre-dispose the femoral neck to break, which is the most common break with-in the femur bone. How-ever necrosis of the artery into the femoral head will, although 6mths old is quite young for friable bones.

In any case, follow the advice of your vet, in terms of rehab.

I hope everything goes well, and keep us posted on her healing.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by gemy

Hip dysplasia, dependent on the different causes of it, won't necessarily pre-dispose the femoral neck to break, which is the most common break with-in the femur bone. How-ever necrosis of the artery into the femoral head will, although 6mths old is quite young for friable bones.

In any case, follow the advice of your vet, in terms of rehab.

I hope everything goes well, and keep us posted on her healing.

Well I did not assume there was anything with the femoral neck. She said joint at the pelvis which led me to think dyplasia....Probably would help if the OP would just ask what the actual diagnosis is.
She said accident, so I just did not think it was Perthes...but you never know. COuld be that the accident aggravated it.

[Verbena]

Hello and welcome to yt. I am glad her surgery went well. Good thoughts for a speedy recovery

[Shelby&Seymour]

Hope Cookie has a complete recovery... She will probably need some physical therapy.... I am a huge advocate... It makes a difference after surgery... I have had 2 dogs go thru physical therapy and it will definitely make the recovery process easier for Cookie.

[Cachorrita]

Hi all! thank you for all your good thoughts and support! She is doing wonderful. No limping, which i consider that good from other stories i hear... maybe because of her size. Right now she's 2.6 lbs. I have attached the x-rays, and per a vet's observation: that the fracture is in the neck, i need to consider that it may be hereditary but it was aggravated with the accident. The neck is really strong and shouldn't have broken that easily. I will look into her good leg down the road since I'm really broke right now with all the expenses.