Does anyone have experience of a hip replacement?

[LaviniasBigBloomers]

DDog is on the waiting list for our local vet school hospital to have his hip replaced. They have this very weird system: you get your spot on the list confirmed (we've waited 9 months so far) then you don't see a vet at all until the day before the scheduled operation, which is when they make the final decision if your dog is a good enough candidate for the op. Bonkers.

My vet is pretty sure the dog meets the criteria but hasn't any experience of a dog going through it. I'm keen to find out about aftercare and rehab, having already nursed him through a cruciate op and been scarred for life by 6 weeks of crate confinement! Would be great to get a heads up if anyone else has been through the same procedure - thanks in advance!

Um, I'd want to see another vet. It's not the NHS - this isn't a system I am familiar with. At our practice the dog is seen by the vet then by the specialist who visits to do the surgery then surgery is performed quite quickly if needed at our surgery by the specialist or at the local vet school but no real waiting like this.

Thanks @Newpeep, I agree it's a weird system but there aren't any vets locally who do this specific operation and I'd rather wait for the vet school and see someone who specialises in it rather than go with someone who doesn't really know what they're doing! My question is more around what to expect post op?

Our experience was pretty similar to cruciate surgery with a foster dog. After hip surgery he was crated for 6 weeks. Then gently built up the exercise.

We put rugs down so there was no danger of him slipping and had a sling to help him over the small step to get outside.

All ok now though and running about like a loon with his new owners

Thanks @IngGenius, that's helpful. And glad it made a difference!