The LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital is once again providing total hip replacement at their small animal surgery center. LSU Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Charles Walls said hip arthritis and dysplasia and are among the most common ailments for dogs in the fifty-to-hundred-pound weight range.
“It’s a very chronic condition that affects a tremendous amount, millions of dogs a year. How often are we able to diagnosis it and then go on and treat it surgically is another issue and probably not enough,” said Walls.
German Shepherds are not the only breed prone to the ailment but dogs that are also the same size are just as susceptible.
Walls said owners often miss the signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia and arthritis in young dogs, but when you compare their lack of activity to other dogs that are that same age it becomes more obvious.
“These dogs usually have fairly significant muscle atrophy in both their hind limbs, they are slow to rise, they can only go on short walks, their feet may be very narrow-based,” said Walls.
Walls said the cost of the surgery can range anywhere from five thousand up to $6,500 and complete recovery averages six months. He said the procedure can greatly improve the quality of life for man’s best friend.
“In the skilled hands like we have here at LSU you’re looking at a 97 to 98% success rate,” said Walls.
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