Hi Everyone,

My pup was unfortunately diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, and I'm getting a specialists opinion and quote for a hip replacement. Do anyone have experience with this and huskies, or another breed? My vet estimated it would cost between 4-6k for the procedure, and was wondering if that is one or both hips. We have pet insurance, so money isn't an issue, but we are pretty bummed right now.

Thanks,
MG

That is really young to already have hip dysplasia. Did your vet say if it looked like genetic HD or if it was caused by over working him too young. Running, pulling, carrying things before a year old is a no no. That aside, hip dysplasia comes in varying degrees of severity. If the dysplasia isn't super bad I wouldn't do surgery. Hip surgery in dogs can be hit or miss. Some take and all is better. Some don't take and cause more damage than was originally there. I have a gsd mix that has severe HD. My vet said it was one of the worst cases he had personally ever seen and we were quoted 4k per hip to fix or in 3 years we may have to consider putting him down. It's been 3 years since the diagnosis and he'said not had a surgery and he'said completely fine. I have him on high quality food, glucosamine and condriotin, and do partial supplementation with colloidal silver and fish oil. He is now 6 years old. He was 3 when diagnosed and it is genetic hd. I would start by having the severity of the hd assessed.

My vet said it was genetic. I have never had him pull anything, although he does pull on his walks. Occasionally did some light jogging with him, but not long distances. I believe one hip is worse than the other.

@TwisterII is much more knowledgeable than  I on things like this, but you might find this article from PeetMD interesting.

... and of course, I'm sorry that you're seeing this issue with a pup that young.

The one side is worse. Really the other side doesn't look bad to me at all. You can see some of the rubbing that's going on with the worse side. I would start by getting him on glucosamine and chondroitin and try fish oil with vitamin e. Those things help the health of the cartilage there. If you take care of his cartilage it will keep a good buffer. When bone starts grinding on bone is when you start seeing trouble. My boy pretty much doesn't have hip sockets, the ball is oddly shaped and has next to nothing to sit in. Dogs can surprise us.

I appreciate the advice. I'm thinking towards surgery for the bad side, and hoping that with meds and care the other will hold up for a long time.

I want to protect him, but not shelter him from everything so he can experience everything. He's so young. The most he had done was some small jogs, where he trots. We never ran him hard, although he did play with other dogs at a dog park. I can't imagine that being he cause of his HD. Vet didn't seem to think so either. Just an unlucky pup.