Moose's journey to a double hip replacement

Help our rescue puppy get a new start at life!

Moose is a 10 month old sweetheart (shepherd/lab mix) that we rescued on January 1st of this year. Moose is such a friendly, calm, loving puppy, but we noticed he didn't use his back legs unless he absolutely had to (no jumping, no running, scooting instead of standing up, etc.). We took him to our vet the first week we rescued him and had x-rays taken which revealed that he has bilateral hip dysplasia, already causing arthritis in his hips. For a 10 month old puppy, this was concerning.

We were referred to an orthopedic surgeon and received the news we feared most - Moose will need a double hip replacement. A silver lining for us is that he’s not showing signs of severe discomfort right now, and because he's still growing, the Orthopedist said we have a little time before surgery will be necessary.

We're going to take this time to work with a physical therapist and strengthen his legs in preparation for the road to recovery that’s ahead.  We’re also working with our vet on a diet/pain management plan for the upcoming months. When Moose is fully grown, and a little stronger, we’ll have the surgery done.   

Our big picture plan is to volunteer with Moose and share all the good he has to offer, but we can't get to that point without getting through this surgery first. We’re determined to give our boy the longest and most fulfilling, pain-free life possible, but we can't do that without your help.

Here is the diagnosis and assessment from the orthopedist: 

Imaging Results: Orthogonal pelvic radiographs. Shallow acetabula bilaterally with significantly decreased coverage of femoral head bilaterally (L worse than R) and marked hip subluxaton. Mild periarticular coxofemoral osteophytosis. 

Diagnosis: Bilateral hip dysplasia.

Assessment: On presentation, Moose appeared BAR and vital signs were within normal limits. Based on review of the history, physical exam, and previous radiographs, Moose has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia with marked subluxation (decreased hip joint coverage/congruity) and early arthritic changes. 

Treatment options were discussed, including conservative management and total hip replacement. 

Conservative management includes weight loss, exercise modification, diet changes, physical therapy, and disease-modifying osteoarthritis agents (DMOAs).  Total hip replacement offers the best prognosis for return to function, with a working hip joint. However, it is a surgery that involves removing Moose’s existing hips and replacing them with synthetic components. 

Essentially this means that his hip joints do not sit where they are supposed to, and as a result, he is developing arthritis. The treatment is to do as much as physically possible to strengthen, pain manage, weight manage, and get him ready for the ultimate fix - which is total hip replacement.