I think Noche may have hip displaysia
OK, I may be jumping the gun, (and I hope I am) but I noticed a "pop" feeling in noches rear leg, I think its comming from the hip or knee, he shows no pain, in fact he runs and jumps all the time (no weird walking, sitting, standing habits or "bunny hop"). I flexed his legs, that seemed fine; but when I did the Ortolani maneuver I definetly feel a pop (but only at certain angle, and on one side), during the whole process he did not fight me or show any discomfort (I was very surpised he let me do all the streching, in fact he seemed to like it). The reason I started checking was because I felt the pop when he was in my lap and he jumped out while my hand was on his rear back. I hope its just a legiamte or something else, I did read that some dogs might devolp pops if something else is torn, and not show any pain or discomfort. Noche is due to get snipped tomorrow, so I will let my vet check him out, but since last night I have been thinking and worrying about it.
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Rachel
What is the difference between the surgeries?
Dlroberts, FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) basically cutting out the femur "ball" or head, the doctor tries to remove enough so that the bones no longer touch thus preventing grinding, in time the muscles and scar tissue form a replacement joint. This new joint not being of bone prevents grinding and basically all the tissue rebuilds the gap. From what my doctor said that on smaller dogs their is little to no noticible changes in overall usage of the leg once it heals, but it will take some time. And since noche is only 6 months old (to answer your question Nekopan) the vet said he will more than likely have a very high sucess rate at rebuilding the leg to full usage. This procedure can be done on bigger dogs, but because of weight on the legs and pelvis have a much more difficult time adapting to the missing joint. Now, THP (total hip replacement) is basically that, just like in a person the hip socket and joint are replaced with a new one, this is the better of the two, but unecessray (or overkill) for smaller dogs and aside from that there are no artifial joints for smaller breeds (at least its not common). Also it has a much longer recouperation time, because the bones have to set back in and meld with the artificial joints along with muscles and such.
in the end I think I made the best choice to have it done now, and my vet, who is very good, said the same thing, it wasnt a matter "if" noche would ever need the surgery, just a matter of "when", by doing it now I just increase the chance of full recovery several times over because of his young age and less complecations with chipped bones and arthirtis problems, wich follow if HD is left untreated, but I am still going to place him and my two other shibas on Glucosamine supplements to prevent any future problems.
I will let everyone know his progress so just in case anyone else has the misfortune of having their loved one with HD may be a little better informed.