Samosa, the energetic and lovable Corgi who has become an indispensable part of your family is now suffering from hip pain. He limps, and going up and down stairs is nearly impossible. The loving and diligent dog owner that you are, you take him in to the see the Vet. You get the news you didn’t want to hear but assumed it would be. Samosa has hip dysplasia. Stunned and deeply saddened, you are willing to do anything to rid your faithful companion of the pain he’s suffering.
The doctor suggests using cortisone injections on Samosa, which makes sense to you. Almost immediately you notice a difference. Samosa is almost his former self. He’s chasing down balls the way he did as a puppy and tackles those stairs like a champ. So moved you are that you purchase the Rocky movie and play its theme song for Samosa. You have your buddy back!
However, it seems that over time the effectiveness of wears off quicker with each shot. That’s when, instead of talking first with your doctor, you start doing research on the Internet. Article after article suggests that there are very few options available to you both, other than continuing with cortisone injections. One goes so far as to suggest putting Samosa down. Although putting his misery behind him is utmost in your mind, he hasn’t communicated he is ready to go yet, and so you turn to him and tell him, “As long as you have some fight left in you, so do I! You’ve been the most faithful and consistent companion to me and I am not throwing in the towel just yet.” And as if the universe responds to your situation, you find an article that piques your attention.
Canine Hip Replacements
Bigger dogs have been getting this procedure since the 1970s, but hip replacements for smaller dogs in the 6 to 30 pound range is a relatively recent development. It has only become possible in the past 5 years.
Since the procedure was licensed in 2005, 200 dogs from around the world have had hip replacements. The prosthetic canine hip is made from the same materials as a human prosthetic hip - titanium and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys. It is durable, sturdy, and well made, just like a human joint replacement.
Pros
As with any family decision, there are factors to consider before choosing whether or not a hip replacement is the right choice for your little Samosa. First off, what about the surgery would be advantageous for your pup?
The best thing about getting Samosa a hip replacement would be that he could return to the exact same level of physical activity as when he had use of his healthy, normal hip. Whether he is an athletic dog who participates in competitions, a hunting dog or even just a regular old dog who enjoys running around the yard. Samosa’s surgery would allow him to return to his former happiness and activity level.
The operation has a high success rate, and leaves only a small scar behind as evidence. Occasionally, there can be complications, just as with human surgeries of the same caliber, but most can be corrected with minimal extra time and costs. For example, one pug who had had the procedure done had a limp a few months after her surgery. A close inspection revealed that part of the prosthetic hip had come loose from her bone. A minor surgery to reattach the piece to her bone and the pug was as good as new.
Cons
Because the procedure is still in its infancy, the only data available or short-term. Only predictions can be made about what the long-term results of the procedure might be. Veterinarians have every reason to believe that looking long term, dogs will continue to both respond well to surgery and continue to live longer and without pain.
The cost is probably the biggest stumbling block for most people. The procedure cost approximately $5,000, which doesn’t include the physical therapy that your dog will need post operation. The cost is of course, worth it, but not always affordable, no matter how much you may love your little Samosa.
Other Joints that Can Be Replaced
There are other joints your pooch can have replaced, if need be. In recent years, knee and elbow replacements have joined hips in the category of ‘joint replacements available to doggies.’ 120 dogs worldwide have had knees replaced since 2007 when the procedure became widely available. Elbow replacements for dogs of medium weight – between 50 and 80 pounds – have been available since the 1980s. In 2008, a less invasive version of elbow surgery was introduced. The response has been favor with 90 getting the procedure.