Boxer and FHO

[Cracker Jack]

My 3-year old boxer has been diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia and underwent a total hip replacement. After 3 years, he dislocated the right hip and had to undergo yet another surgery to correct the hip but he developed complications and mobility problems. The vet recommends an FHO but what I'm concerned right now is the possibility of the problem also occurring on the left hip.

[Ruby Red]

I am so sorry for your poor pup, but please can you explain what FHO is - I have no clue.

[Erin251]

yes, i have no clue what FHO is either

[Spyglass Sally]

I don't have any experience with Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) but maybe some others on the board do. It sounds extreme, and I understand your concerns. I guess it depends on your other options and how far you want to go with it.

Sorry you have to face those decisions.

[Cracker Jack]

"Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) is a surgical procedure which is often indicated to relieve debilitating pain associated with Hip Dysplasia. It is also a treatment option for hips which has been damaged by trauma or a hip joint which has undergone degenerative change as a result of aging. The debilitating effects of Legg Perthes Disease can also be corrected with an FHO surgery.

Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) is also known as Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO), Femoral Head Arthroplasty (FHO), or Femoral Head Excision. Most often, it is the treatment of last recourse when efforts to alleviate the pain and symptoms have all been exhausted and signs of sepsis or infection have started to set in."

We haven't really scheduled yet the FHO but it should be soon to prevent further complications.

[Ruby Red]

It sounds like a really serious operation. I have no experiance of it, but did you ask your vet about how the op may/may not affect the left hip - what did s/he think? Just wondering too, are there any other options available to you? or is this FHO your only real choice? Would another total hip replacement be at all possible? as the first one gave your pup a 3 good years?

[Cracker Jack]

The vet said there is a possibility that it may also affect the other limb in the long run. FHO is the best procedure right now considering the condition of the bone and muscles. There is a need, though, for an aggressive physical rehab after the procedure and long term pain medication to avoid post-surgery complications.

As for the other limb, it's a wait-and-see kind of thing. Right now our focus is on the affected limb.

[Erin251]

so sorry to hear this. i wish you the best of luck

[Doreen]

sorry to hear this... hope all works out ok.

[purplelori]

Oh, poor pup! He's going thru a lot in his short life. Hope this does the trick for him--and good that he has such a devoted 'parent'!