Hip Relacement in Dogs

If your dog is suffering from severe hip pain, your vet may recommend a total hip replacement to help restore your pup's mobility. So how does hip replacement in dogs work? What is the recovery like? And is your dog a good candidate for hip replacement surgery? Our Ventura veterinarians answer these questions and more.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery for Dogs

Total hip replacement is precisely that, your dog's natural ball and socket hip joint will be replaced by a metal ball (constructed of cobalt-chromium metal alloy) at the top of the femur and a dense plastic socket (made from high molecular weight polyethylene plastic) in their pelvis.

The two parts of this prosthetic joint are often held in place with bone cement although ‘some veterinary surgeons also use cementless’ implants. There appears to be no advantage to one method over the other, with both typically providing excellent results.

Good Candidates For Total Hip Replacement in Dogs

If your dog is suffering from a painful hip condition such as hip dysplasia that is affecting their mobility and activity levels they may be a good candidate for total hip replacement surgery.

Other symptoms that may indicate that your dog could benefit from total hip replacement include general stiffness, trouble rising from the floor, and a reluctance to walk, run or climb stairs.

To qualify for total hip replacement surgery your dog must be fully grown (at least 9-12 months old) and otherwise be in good health with no indication of other joint or bone issues, or nerve disease. Dogs suffering from arthritic hips with normal hip function are not considered to be good candidates for hip replacement surgery.

Your dog's bones must also be large enough to accommodate the prosthetic hip components. Generally, dogs weighing more than 40 pounds can be fitted with an artificial hip.

Your dog will need to be examined by a Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon to determine whether they are a good candidate for this surgery.

What To Expect From Your Dog's Hip Replacement Surgery

All surgeries involving general anesthesia come with risks. To reduce the risk of complications due to anesthesia your dog will be thoroughly examined beforehand and blood tests will be conducted and reviewed.

If your dog is healthy enough to have total hip replacement surgery, he or she will most likely spend 3 to 5 days in the hospital. During this time, your dog's surgery will be performed, and your veterinary team will do everything possible to ensure that the healing process gets off to a good start.

The results of this surgery are generally excellent, and many owners report that their dog can now do things he or she hasn't done since he or she was a puppy. However, complications can occur in some cases. Infection, loosening implants, hip dislocation, and nerve damage are the most common complications associated with total hip replacement surgery for dogs; however, these issues are usually successfully treated.

Cost of Total Hip Replacement in Dogs

It's always a good idea to contact your veterinarian directly with questions like this. They should be able to give you a more accurate estimate.

Post-Operative Care For Dogs Having Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Following your dog's hip replacement surgery, your veterinary team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions for your pup. It is essential to follow your veterinarian's instructions carefully to help prevent complications. Your vet will also provide you with complete instructions regarding administering any pain medications prescribed for your pup.

You will need to monitor your dog's incision site, watching for any signs of infection such as swelling or discharge. Your dog will likely need to wear a cone (also called Elizabethan collars or e-collars) or a suitable alternative to prevent them from licking the incision site.

It is also critical to keep an eye on your dog's appetite as the incision heals, as decreased appetite can be an early sign of infection.

Your dog's mobility will be severely restricted for about a month after surgery. This means crate rest when you can't supervise your dog's activities and only short, on-leash bathroom breaks outside. Stairs and slippery floors should be avoided as much as possible, but if your pet must climb stairs, keep them on a leash to keep them moving slowly and carefully.

For the first two months following your dog's hip replacement surgery, no running, jumping, or playing is permitted. Depending on how well your dog is healing, your vet may allow you to take him for short on-leash walks during the second month.

Although these restrictions may appear severe, it is important to remember that following your vet's instructions and severely restricting your dog's activities for two months can help your dog heal well, allowing them to return to a joyful, active, pain-free life once recovery is complete.

You will return to your vet's office for a follow-up appointment and to have their stitches or staples removed about 10 to 14 days after surgery.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is your dog showing signs of hip pain? Contact Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG) today to book an examination for your dog with one of our experienced Ventura vets. 

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