Two weeks ago I noticed Guinness, my 7 month old pup, started limping and not bearing his full weight on his left leg, thinking maybe he just bruised a muscle we sat him out of all dog walks and group play for a week however the limping continued, I took him to the vet and they put him on rimadyl (anti-inflammatory) for a week but it continued. He was diagnosed with bilateral patella luxation, a prob. of shibas- unrelated to the limp says the vet. Today he had x-rays and it clearly showed hip dysplacia of his left leg, she said its genetic, he was born with it and will need surgery in the very near future to correct it $1200-$1400. She explained the surgery she performs to correct this problem, " The hip is a ball and socket joint, I cut off the ball portion of the bone, and as it heals connective tissues grows and fills socket-Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) " after it heals he will be pain free and can run and play as he always has, no change is quality of life. She also said I could have a hip replacement surgery (she would have to refere to a different vet) but it would cost $4000-$5000- not in my budget.

My husband and I are trying to do our research and want the best for Guinness and ensure his quality of life, we want to continue our active life style and take him for long walks and to the dogpark. Does anyone have a dog with hip dysplacia that had surgery? The vet claims that once he has the surgery he will be able to run and play just like before and will not require long-term pain medication for the rest of his life, she seems so optimistic but we are skeptical.

Im just devastated. At nearly 8 months old and Im finding out he has 2 genetic disorders, one requiring surgery and the other, patella luxation, we have "wait and see". We contacted the breeder and he said in the 6 yrs he has been breeding shibas this is the first case of hip dysplacia he has had, he is willing to pay what we paid for him towards the surgery, but is apprehisive like me and my husband about his quality of life afterward.

Please reply if you have any helpful information.

His x-rays
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I'm sorry to hear this. I have 3 Neapolitan Mastiffs from 10months old to 4 months and hip dysplacia is a common problem among the breed as well. Hopefully if you go with the FHA route that everything will be well. Keep us posted.

I have a friend with a small dog (pom) with the patella luxation problem that required surgery about as young as your pup. He has lived an active healthy life for 7 years. Unfortunately, he was jumping off something and injured the leg again requiring surgery yet again. This time the the healing is taking a lot longer, a he is an older dog. I don't believe he has ever had issues with hip displasia though. Keep us posted.

Update: So my husband got a second opinion. He has an office mate that is dating a vet, when she saw the xrays and was told guinness' story she said with him being so young she would def. recommend going to a orthopedic specialist who is an expert on the matter. www.vetsportsmedicine.com Dr. SHERMAN O. CANAPP, DVM, MS, CCRT. She also said a consultation with him would be $300 then the FHO surgery $2500 per leg. She looked at his xrays and although she cant do proper measurements to make sure without the actual xrays she thinks both legs will need it. So we are looking at Aprox. $5300 potential surgery. I do not have pet insurance but when I looked it up today, they dont cover congeinital disorders- hip dysplacia and patella luxation are both genetic.

Very familiar with Dr. Canapp - My adopted dog at 5 months was diagnosed with distal radial premature physeal closure, angular limb and growth deformity and carpal and elbow incongruency by him. I was told surgical intervention was necessary (cut the bone in half, screw a metal ring fixture apparatus threw the leg upper and lower into the two separated pieces of bone which were then filled with something and for many weeks twice a day turn the screw lengthening the bone) at a total cost of approximately 5,000. or more with therapy. I was told time is of the essence as this will only become more severe, she should not be allow any activity other than occasional leash walks.

I GOT A SECOND OPINION - (actually 3) - I decided in conjunction with other Vets that since the above surgery, 1 year recovery or more and locked in a cage for 6 months with no guarantee that it will work was not the route to take. My baby is now 4 years old - there is pretty bad osteoarthritis in the one leg but she has lived a FULL, FUN, life for 4 years, running free, jumping (although I try to stop this - not very successfully) and is on anti-inflammatory medicine every other day recently but does not exhibit pain it just looks swollen (like an old ladies wrist). I highly recommend 2 or 3 opinions (not so much Dr. Canapp) then think about the guarantee of success, the quality of life, .... I would definitely recommend PARADISE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, DR. CHERYL BURKE, (make sure you get her!) 410-744-4224. Her facility also has a magnificent water therapy that my other puppy of 6 weeks had to go to because she always walked crooked and didn't like walking then one day stopped walking. Within about 3 month of therapy she was walking again (a little crooked) and has been fine ever since! Good luck! Debbi A. (Little One and Ella)

Cosultation with Dr. Lotsikas from VOSM (veterinary orthopedic sports medicine)


So $145 later Im even more confused now. Going into the consultation Im thinking they are gonna say, "Lets go with the FHO procedure to correct his hip, in regards to his patella luxation we will just have to see" like my regular vet said...no actually the exact opposite. Frustrating.....According to Dr. Lotsikas he strongly believes Guinness' limping is associated with his left knee (patella luxation) not his hip. He has bilateral patellar luxation but left is grade II and right grade I (no surgery required).

From report "I suspect Guinness' left hind limb lameness is mainly due to a medial patellar luxation. Our recommendation is surgical intervention to treat this luxation.....The estimate for this procedure is $2,400 to $2,600."

He did range of motion exercises on Guinness (pulling his leg straight and back) and said he can do them comfortably. If his hip was bothering him he would cry out and his ROM would be limited. He commented although the xrays look bad you have to look at the clinical picture and Guinness doesnt meet his criteria for needing hip surgery.

From report "With regards to his hips, 85% of dogs with hip dysplasia never need hip surgery...Even in affected pts many dogs with hip dysplasia improve clinically between 1-1.3 yrs of age with increased muscle mass and scar tissue formation."

He was diagnosed with left hip dysplacia, is the right dysplayed too as Dr. N. Phillips (the 2nd opinion my husband got from coworkers g/f) indicated? Yes, both. Guinness' right hip is subluxated as well as his left according to Dr. Lotsikas, so he has bilateral hip dysplacia, Explained by Dr. Lotsikas-if the bone isn't in proper position by 50% its clinically subluxated, thus dysplayed.

I stressed to him that I want Guinness to have the best quality of life post surgery. I want him to continue going to the dog park, long walks, and run/play. He assured me doing the patella luxation surgery would be it. I told him that Guinness is taking Cosequin daily, he said that was good and sufficient, no special diet required otherwise.

If we decide to do the knee surgery his recovery time is about 8 weeks. Physical therapy: Excercises at home and possible water therapy at office. X-rays at 4 and 8 weeks post op to assess the healing of the surgical site. I asked how soon could he have the surgery and he stated next week was open but July schedule is pretty busy. Thus, Doug and I need to make this decision soon.

To note, Dr. Lotsikas was very pleasant and easy to talk to. He listened to my concerns and answered my questions. Although Im still worried that not correcting his hip problem he may develop chronic osteoarthritis. He did give me his contact information including an email address and said dont hesitate to ask any further questions.

Whew! So one says fix the knee, the hip will heal. Others say fix the hip, and maybe the knee. I can see why it's confusing! Though it sounds like the sports orthopedist is most experienced and also suggesting less invasiveness as far as surgeries.

Sounds like a lot to sort out, but keep hanging in there! We miss seeing you all and Guinness!

Urge you to take ALL medical records to Dr. Cheryl Burke at Paradise and at least one other vet. I would try to get 2 of the same recommendations - right now it sounds like you haven't received confirmation, only conflicting possibilities. Good luck!

We have decided to have the knee surgery for Guinness to correct his patella luxation on his left knee. His surgery is scheduled for 6/29/2010.

I'll find out more about his recovery after the procedure but I imagine he will be out of meetups for the next 8 weeks. As of right now, I know that he will need physical therapy at home, possible hydrotherapy, and follow up xrays at 4 and 8 weeks.

I will keep you guys posted on his recovery. Im bummed Guinness will have to sit them out for awhile but I want to make sure he has a full recovery. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.