Management

For the amount of money that this family can spend, bilateral femoral head ostectomy is the best option.  This will create a false joint between the femur and acetabulum.  This is a salvage procedure only and will not cure the problem nor give full range of motion back to the dog.  The dog will not be painful and his mobility will increase, but gait abnormalities will still be seen.

For best results, weight and diet restrictions should be imposed.  This dog should be weighed, his body condition evaluated and his method of feeding changed.  He should not be fed free choice but instead fed twice a day with controlled portions.  He should be evaluated twice a month to assess his body condition score and weight gain.  We recommend swimming as a way to exercise and decrease weight gain, while not putting undo pressure on the hip joints.  For pain management the rimadyl can be continued as necessary. 

We recommend neutering for this dog, so that hip dysplasia is not continued in this breed line.