Vet wants to remove part of hip

[Trudy]

I have a 7month old male Jack Russel which is smaller in size than the average J.R. After noticing an increasing difficulty with his back left leg a local vet has advised me that he has a problem with the blood flow to his hip that has caused softening of the bone density of the hip ball and is showing signs of wear. To solve this he has recommended cutting off the top of the hip ball thereby forcing the wounded bone to stregthen. My question is - the puppy is abnormally small is this not a indication of a bigger problem and how will this operation affect my dog in the long run? I have every intention of going ahead with the operation however just the thought of pain is terrifying me.

[db7]

I'd send the dog back to the breeder and ask for a healthy dog. That dog will probably cost you big time if if you choose to treat it medically all through its life.

[BMDLuver]

Originally Posted by db7

I'd send the dog back to the breeder and ask for a healthy dog. That dog will probably cost you big time if if you choose to treat it medically all through its life.

Obviously the OP loves the dog. The dog is not an item you just send back when something goes wrong. If the dog did come from a breeder, I would most certainly contact the breeder for help and advice. I would also get a second opinion if at all possible. I realize you may live in an area where many vets are not an option.

[SnowDancer]

I would ask for a consult with a specialist in this area. Better yet if you are close to a vet teaching hospital I would take your pup there as they have top doctors. But a specialist consult is a must. I do have a feeling though that the surgery may well be required. I also understand that you love your dog and plan to do everything possible to keep him alive. I know you are concerned with your dog's pain - get the prognosis - and you may well be told that the pain might last a few months but your pup might live pain free for another 12 years - and I am sure he would vote for that option. Hope everything works out for you.

[Luba]

Ditto re specialists...definitely consult one or two orthopedic surgeons!!

[db7]

A dog that young with problems should most definitely be sent back to the breeder. The breeder must take responsiblity for creating sick dogs. IT's the only way they will stop cutting corners.I understand the attachment, however putting one's own feelings ahead of what is the right thing to do is selfish.

I'm sorry if this seems insensitive, however the OP has put it out in public for discussion.

Provided the diagnosis is correct - a blood flow problem - the solution seems like treating the symptom not the problem. What is the real problem? Heart? Degenerative disease? The dog will probably cost thousands in med bills. Better to send it back and let the breeder deal with it. Get a healthy dog that won't use up all your savings. Better still, if you are prepared to spend huge bucks on a dogs health, after you get a healthy dog, donate all that money you saved to a rescue group and save a dozen healthy dogs rather than one sick one.

[Safyre]

I understand what DB7 is saying ... often times on this foum we will state what a 'reputable' breeder has to do... and taking back a sick dog is one that get listed. This is a sick dog that someone created, if the breeder was reputable, he would 1) replace the dog 2) offer money back on the dog, to assist with the vet bills.

If you have become very attached to the puppy, I would advise seeing a specialist as well. You will have to ask realistic questions, such as, how long will this dog live without pain? can this blood flow problem affect other areas?
This might get very costly for you.
I wish you the best.

[mona_b]

I also agree with contacting a specialists.

And since the OP hasn't come back on yet to tell us about the backround of this pup,or if he even came from a breeder,lets just wait till she does.No sense assuming if we don't know all the facts....

[mesaana]

In case anyone wants to search for more info on this problem, here are the real names (either one is used):

Aseptic Femoral Head Necrosis
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

This site has a pretty good description:

http://petplace.netscape.com/article...asp?artID=5404

Lyne

[Luba]

I wouldn't care if the breeder is responsible, I may have them share some of the cost but it's my dog and I"m not sending it back to the breeder who may have it PTS!

You make a bond and form an attachment with this lovely dog, to them merely give it back because it's not perfect. I don't agree with that but I do agree with the burden of financial responsibility.

[BMDLuver]

Thanks Lyne, it's good to know the technical terms. That's what is so great about this site... shared knowledge!

[db7]

Sometimes PTS is the best thing for the dog, Prologing its' life due to a person's emotion could be construed as selfish and cruel.

[Luba]

A specialists opinion would be best suited before even considering euthanasia.

[Trudy]

My puppy was given to me by my sister after an extremely traumatic loss of a faithful friend - my 6 Year old Jack Russel. I do have the owner's details but am not a very confrontational person - I will tackle this though not with the intention of giving my pup back but so that he knows. I would like a second opinion but the specialist veterinary surgeons are far and few in my area. As my vet has recommended waiting 2 weeks, doing another set of x-rays and deciding then, I will tackle another vet with the info that you have supplied to me. Thank you Lynn I am confident that this is in fact the problem. However I do find myself wondering if the dead bone is cut away will the blood flow not become a problem further down the leg.