Total Hip Replacement NSW- recommended vets

[flea]

I have a young working Boarder (from the pound) who has been diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia (obligatory photo attached). Her hip x-rays/ scores were done yesterday with a specialist and unfortunately the results were not so good. She's already bone on bone and then has compensatory muscle issues to hold everything in place. Like most workers she's fairly stoic, though the vet said due to the severity of her dysplasia, the realistic options for her are total hip replacement or putting to sleep.

 

She's only around 18months old and a lovely dog (plus showing really sound promise as a worker); so I'm keen to pursue treatment options for her.

I know it's quite a major (and hence costly) procedure, though the specialist surgery nearest to me is in Canberra which gave an estimate of $14k. That veterinary surgery is notoriously expensive, so I'm just after others experiences. I'm happy to travel for her (I'm an hour and a half out of Canberra anyway) so maybe some suggestions of other vets (or left field options like Universities) around NSW that can perform hip replacements.

 

Also how people have found their dogs have gone with hip replacements (particularly young dogs) and if anyone has opinions on cemented versus cement less implants.

 

Thanks

Vanessa

Edited February 19, 2017 by flea
added information

[Scottsmum]

Vanessa get in contact with @Jumabaar(vua pm here or this is her fb page  https://www.facebook.com/primalpaws.helpingpets/)

 

& I'm sure she'll be able to help or point you in the right direction. 

[Rebanne]

What about the op where they remove the ball totally and let the muscle hold everything in place? A friends dog had that done and lived a good life on 100 acres. She wasn't a working dog but they walked miles every day. Osteosarcoma of the jaw got her in the end.

[bianca.a]

My male GSD has had bilateral Total Hip Replacements by the time he was 2 years old. He will be 6 this year and it was the best and only option for him. He was too big and too old to go for a TPO which is what Rebanne above mentioned.

http://vetsurgerycentral.com/tpo.htm

 

I used a specialist vet in Melbourne and after a suitable recovery time, he was as good as new! The worst part from both surgeries, was because they have to clip the hair, he had burnt testicles. They clearly did not shave him with a new blade or it over heated. Whatever, but I think he suffered far more from that then the actual surgeries. One thing that was made quite clear to me is that once recovery is over, it is never over. If the dog gets any infection it can travel to the implant and then you are looking at removal and starting from scratch. I have a friend whose  GSD went through this last year. Awful business. Anywhoo here a couple of the xrays of Coop. I wish you well whatever road you travel as it is an expensive procedure (I paid 8k per side plus pre surgery consultation and xrays, and then 6 week, 6 month, 1 year xrays).

[persephone]

 that is a tough call ...

realistically , a very useful working dog can be sourced for way less than the amount needed for surgery ( with NO guarantee it will hold up to a lot of work over the next 10 yrs ) 

Then again ...

i second contacting Jumabaar  to check options   

I don't envy you .  best of everything for you & the little girl .

[flea]

An update with her x-rays. Talked on the phone with a specialist vet today and he said for working dogs they generally just to do the worst hip and that's enough to sufficiently reduce their pain and still leaves around 80% of normal performance.

 

Vanessa