Thinking about a hip replacement

[HipDysplasia]

Hi everyone. I have a 7.5 year old American Akita who has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis/hip dysplasia and we are getting X-rays to see how bad it is - which I suppose should give us a solid answer to the best treatment but I thought I’d ask here if people have similar experiences.

I’ve mentioned his breed for size and personality. He is lovely with his family but terrified in strange situations and incredibly sensitive at being left. Fine at home but kennels are a big no so a day in a vets would be horrific for him (though they have said for his and their safety they would like one of us there at all times he’s awake)

anyway, I digress. He has a limp that is affecting his quality of life. Typically, it’s not too bad but means short walks only (20 mins/mostly sniffing/0.5 miles - 1 mile really affects him) if he walks a mile the limp worsens or if he has been lying down, it has once or twice been bad enough that he falls or it gives way when he gets up. Some movement is slow and careful but he does still go upstairs happily and cautiously get on a bed/sofa. He still bounces for food and opens doors. He normally comes on UK holidays with us and days out so does a lot of walking but he can’t now as much as he wants to so I dare say he is a little depressed.

I’m not exactly sure what the question is, but something along the lines of - at his age is such a big operation actually going to improve his life or shorten what’s left and put him through a horrific experience and recovery? Is it best to act or not act? He’s currently on metacam and if no operation would be on this for life which also has its own risks.

I would get back to your vet and have a chat.

I woud not be worried too much about age . Your dog is middle aged and if otherwise healthly I would consider the surgery.

I possibly would look into life style changes and other medication before the surgery but you may already have done this.

Physi, hydro other or a of pain meds can make a huge difference

Sorry posted too soon

Look at
CAM an excellent resource and will give you loads of advice.

Re not like being left, the med staff will have a lot of experience with this and usually once the dogs are full of the drugs they couldnt care a less as to where they are.

7.5 isn’t especially old - that’s my dogs’ and I wouldn’t hesitate to put him through surgery if I knew it would improve his quality of life. Akitas can live until 14 so he could easily make another 5-7 years.

The vet will be experienced with dogs who don’t like being left and there are plenty of medications that can be used to keep him calm, and of course they’ll let you pick him as early as possible too.

Personally, I would take the operation for a dog that's otherwise healthy and quite young for it's breed. Akita's have reasonably long life spans I think? 12-14 years?

It's not just about any risk for his operation but his wider quality of life (you mention he's depressed). A hip replacement won't fix everything, and it will take time (two+ months) for him to heal and be able to get back to even what he's at to now...but in the long term it would give him a far better quality of life.

If it was me, I'd do it - I could never face to see an active family member being left behind and being miserable. I have a 5 year old Goldie (which given their age span is about 10-12, puts her at about the same 'age' in terms of life-span as your boy) and if it was her, I'd do it in a heartbeat!

This new app! 😡 I’ve just lost my whole comment as I swiped to the side accidentally!

thanks so much for the comments. I really appreciate you taking the time. The vet took more of a “it’s your decision standpoint” rather than offering advice either way. She was amazing otherwise and assume it’s policy for her not to push either way.

I was assuming he would live 10-12 and that recovery would be 2-6 months. I wouldn’t want to leave him alone for even a second while he recovers in case he moved and dislocated it etc. we will need to move the living room around. He sits in the bay window watching the world go by and jumps on the sofa to get there. He is terrified of crates.

He looks 15 already as his face has gone grey. The postman once said he must be a very old boy and laughed when I said 7.

But yes that’s exactly it - it’s all about his quality of life and I’d hate to have made the wrong choice. I also don’t want to leave him behind when he could be with us and enjoying the outdoors.

Thanks so much. I’ll take a look.