I've got a real dilemma. My English springer spaniel, Chip (that's him in the avatar), has severe hip dysplasia. Despite medication (we've tried many over the past five years), he has started limping again, and today, we took him to the vet for an x-ray to see if things were deteriorating.

Poor thing. His right hip is now bone on bone, and his left is nearly there. He's nine years old.

The vet said he needs surgery, although she is deferring it to the doc who actually does the surgeries to see what he thinks. Problem is, I'm on disability and am about to be cut off from my LTD benefits. We can't afford this.

Anybody had a dog who went through any kind of hip dysplasia surgery? Did it help them significantly, improve their lifespan or at least quality of life?

Has anyone had to put their dog down because of hip dysplasia? Is it cruel to refuse surgery if it would be a severe financial hardship?

I don't know what to think. Chip is sleeping next to me right now, trusting me to do the right thing.
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fanfaire

Dear fanfaire
what a very hard decision for you
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I dont have answers but I did want to just say how sorry I am that you are having to face this choice.

I dont think it is in anyway cruel to be a realist and look at your financial situation as well as the overall potential benefit of the surgery

I wonder if there are any springer clubs or organizations that have endowments etc to help with something like this? A vet teaching hospital that may be willing to do it at reduced cost??
just throwing out random ideas
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I sure hope you are able to have peace about whatever decision you come to fanfaire. And that you and Chip will have a good rest together tonight
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Cheri

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Chip is absolutely beautiful.

Finances can be such a hinderous when coming to our pets, sad but true. I completely understand.

I don't know what to tell you! The first thing that came to my mind was the stories one hears about the animals who use little carts and such when they lose their limbs.

My dad built me a ramp device to put next to my bed for my cats. My senior cat has a hard time jumping up on the bed as well as my younger cat, Chewie, who is HUGE and has hip dysplasia in his left hind leg. He also built a couple small staircases, carpeted, so they can get up on the couches and chairs with me.
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Course, those only address them being able to get up and down onto my furniture.

Maybe you could find a vet who would be willing to take into consideration your financial situation and make a payment plan for you.

I don't know if these web sites will help you any, but I did search for a few about dog hip dysplasia.

Hugs and love for you and Chip! Bless his heart!

HERE is a site that lists places that help with financial hardship when it comes to pets!

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These are sites that talk about hip dysplaysia in dogs.

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This site says that doing the surgery is successful in more than 95% of cases.

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Another thing to consider is the age of the dog and what might be the natural life span.

this is from the useful sticky- a general life span list per breed.
Life expectancy in dogs - How long will my dog live?

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Hi Fanfaire,
Chip looks gorgeous!!!
I have a stumpy tail blue heeler x bull terrier, Ned, the light of my life, he is 13 years old.
At about 13 months he had his left cruciate ligament replaced, at the time they x-rayed his hips, and informed me he had hip displatia. A year later he had the same cruciate ligament replaced. All his life hes had problems with his joints. When I was working for a vet, about 3 years ago, he took x-rays of his hips, he couldnt believe Ned was still walking. His right hip joint had fused, and broken just below the socket!!!!, and my boy was still walking, but didnt appear to be in any more pain than usual.
anyway Ive since left that vet, as he moveed to the other side of Australia, and am taking him to another one.
About a year ago, I took my beloved boy in, ready to have him put to sleep, because of the pain, but thhe vet asked if I would try a new pain killer, Pevicox, WOW, what a difference it made, he was sooooo much happier.
About a month ago, I tried out on the advice of the vet, a Bioflow magnetic collar (made by Ecoflow), and it seems to have helped.
I to live on a very limited income, but my dog gets his medication etc, before I get anything I need(as in chocolates biscuits etc)Hes also on fish oil and Sashas blend.
Its so hard to see our beloved pets in pain, and I dred the day he says he just cant go on, but I know I have to have the stength to let him be pain free and go and join his mates, and able to run, I must say Im shedding a tear as I write this.
Hope this helps a little
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Thanks for the replies. Those links are excellent. According to the one on breed-specific lifespan, Chip could have another four years, which is a long time.

I have bookmarked the other links for future reference. The vet surgeon should be calling sometime next week to tell me what my options are. We have tried pretty much everything recommended except actual surgery.

It is good to know that the success rate is so high and that most of the time only one hip needs to be done. Chip's right hip is the worst, about 80 percent displaced.

Chip got a short walk today and did not limp at all, which is good.

Thanks again.

fanfaire

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Before you consider that final road, try this:

There is a pet form of SAMe...for smaller cats and dogs.
It is called Denosyl and is 90 mg/tablet.
Human SAMe is 200mg/tablet

This is a very good natural intervention. I have met people with large dogs with
hip dysplasia where it worked well.

You can ask your vet about it and get the dose you'd need for your dog.
It is available on line for somewhat less than vets charge. I used it for my cat.
Human SAMe is less expensive if a 200mg size is appropriate.
You cannot break the tablet up and mix with food, it has to go down whole.

I even met a Rottie on vacation one year who used it!

It has the added bonus of improving mood and attitude as well. Pain can make pets depressed. My cat really responded to it positively.

Good luck.