Severe Bilateral Hip Dysplasia *pictures*
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 7:43 pm
So I may have mentioned this in the past, but my chow chow has congenital severe bilateral hip dysplasia. In other words, he was born with the issue from the get go.
At one year of age, he received an xray to confirm this back in 2013. Prior to this we noticed that he was reluctant to move up stairs, would bunny hop when he would run, would sit to the side and would be rather stiff in his hind quarters after lying down for a period of time. Here was his xray from July of 2013. He was 1 year:
Today, he received another xray because until this point we have been managing his symptoms quite well. But a few months ago he began mutilating his tail, which he chewed so much that it became infected. Then he began chewing at his legs and hips, thus the reason for an updated xray for 2016. We plan on seeking a specialist in the coming weeks. Louie is now 3.5 years old. Here is his updated xray:
As seen in both images, he has an incredibly shallow hip socket. The femoral heads are deformed and bone changes have already begun along the femoral heads and necks in just 2 years time. This makes sense, considering the behavioral changes in him that would indicate pain.
The purpose of this thread though is to ask if anyone else has gone through this? We have known for some time now that this would be a long term, expensive adventure with our beloved Louie. At this point in time, and the vet agrees, that pain management through forms such as acupuncture, laser therapy, etc might be the best option right now and then an FHO (operation removing of the femoral heads) may be the next step as a last resort to salvage range of motion in both limbs pain free.
Has anyone had any experience with pain management regarding arthritis? If so, what have you tried and was it helpful? Or has anyone had the FHO performed on their dog?
Thank you in advance.
At one year of age, he received an xray to confirm this back in 2013. Prior to this we noticed that he was reluctant to move up stairs, would bunny hop when he would run, would sit to the side and would be rather stiff in his hind quarters after lying down for a period of time. Here was his xray from July of 2013. He was 1 year:
Today, he received another xray because until this point we have been managing his symptoms quite well. But a few months ago he began mutilating his tail, which he chewed so much that it became infected. Then he began chewing at his legs and hips, thus the reason for an updated xray for 2016. We plan on seeking a specialist in the coming weeks. Louie is now 3.5 years old. Here is his updated xray:
As seen in both images, he has an incredibly shallow hip socket. The femoral heads are deformed and bone changes have already begun along the femoral heads and necks in just 2 years time. This makes sense, considering the behavioral changes in him that would indicate pain.
The purpose of this thread though is to ask if anyone else has gone through this? We have known for some time now that this would be a long term, expensive adventure with our beloved Louie. At this point in time, and the vet agrees, that pain management through forms such as acupuncture, laser therapy, etc might be the best option right now and then an FHO (operation removing of the femoral heads) may be the next step as a last resort to salvage range of motion in both limbs pain free.
Has anyone had any experience with pain management regarding arthritis? If so, what have you tried and was it helpful? Or has anyone had the FHO performed on their dog?
Thank you in advance.