New Hips for Echo

Hello! This is Echo. She will be three in March. When she was about 8 months old, I learned she had severe hip dysplasia in both hips and would require surgery after she turned two and was done growing. At the time, it sounded like an FHO (femoral head ostectomy) would be a very viable option. While that is a very expensive surgery, it was at least somewhat attainable with saving. I recently had her hips re-x-rayed in preparation for this surgery. After receiving the new x-rays and having them sent to the orthopedic surgeon, I was advised that an FHO would not work for her and she needs a Total Hip Replacement. In both of her hips. I was referred to Dr. Dyce at Ohio State and have also called several other surgeons who perform this surgery across the country. It’s going to cost us between $16,000 and $24,000, plus travel, depending on where we go. We don’t have close to that amount. Refinancing our house isn’t an option and selling a vehicle will not provide us with what we need.

Echo is very much a huge part of our family. I know to some people, dogs are dogs. But that is not the case for us. She is valued and treasured and loved, and I want her to live a long and pain-free life. All her life, all she has known is painful hips, and that makes me so sad for her.

Any donation, big or small, will be a huge blessing. I feel silly asking. I know some people in many areas of the country have lost their whole livelihood. But Echo matters to me and my family, so I have to try something. We are also quite willing to pick up side jobs to help fund the surgery. If you’ve read this far, thanks for reading. Please also share far and wide :)