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Total hip replacement (THR) surgery for dogs is a major procedure that restores full hip joint mobility for certain conditions or injuries. Specifically, both the ball and socket of the hip are removed and replaced with artificial implants to improve the quality of a dog’s life.
To help you decide if THR surgery is a good option for your dog, let’s take a look at when the surgery is needed, what the process entails, and the costs you might expect.
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If your dog is showing any of the following signs, they could be suffering from a hip condition and may be in need of THR surgery:1
Generally, THR surgery is considered for adult dogs after other treatments that help with mobility and comfort, such as medication and exercise limitations, have failed — or as a preventive measure in growing pups. Your vet may recommend a canine total hip replacement for the following hip conditions.1,2
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where a dog’s hip joint develops abnormally. The ball and socket don’t fit well together, which causes grinding, leading to joint instability and arthritis.2
In some cases, therapy and lifestyle changes can help a dog with mild hip dysplasia. For severe cases, however, THR surgery is one of the best ways to help relieve pain and increase mobility. This is especially true in large-breed dogs, as well as when painful arthritis has developed as a result of joint instability.1,2
Also called osteoarthritis, arthritis is a progressive joint disease that causes a decreased range of motion in dogs, along with pain and stiffness. When it comes to a total hip replacement, dogs who need this surgery often have hip dysplasia first that causes severe arthritis over time.3
If the bones that make up the hip joint fracture, break, or are dislocated, a total hip replacement may be necessary.1 This could happen after a fall or other severe injury and could be the only option for restoring function in your dog’s hip.
Not all dogs are a good candidate for a canine total hip replacement. Some instances when your vet may seek an alternative treatment option include:1
Your vet will perform a full examination, including taking your dog’s medical history into account, to ensure the procedure can be safe and effective.1
For a total hip replacement, dog owners can help ensure their pup — and their bank account — benefit the most by knowing the prep involved, as well as how to best care for their furry friend after surgery.
Before the THR surgery, a few things need to happen to prepare your pup for the big event. First, your vet will perform a urinalysis to ensure your dog doesn’t have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Some veterinarians may also do blood work, other labwork, and take X-rays to determine if it’s safe for your dog to have the surgery.1,4
You’ll likely be asked to give your pup medicated baths for the 3 weeks leading up to the surgery, and for at least 2 weeks before, you may need to stop giving your dog certain medications.1,4 Your vet may also ask that you not feed your pup the night before and morning of the procedure.2
On surgery day, your dog will be hospitalized and a pre-surgery screening will take place to make sure it’s safe to proceed. Blood may be drawn at this time as well. Right before surgery, your dog will receive pain medication, sedatives, and finally anesthesia in an intravenous (IV) catheter. Then, a breathing tube will be inserted in the throat for monitoring.2
During surgery, the surgeon will remove the ball and socket of your dog’s hip (the head of the femur bone and acetabulum bone, respectively) and replace them with implants. They’ll be anchored using bone cement or by allowing your dog’s femur bone to grow into it. These implants are typically crafted from a combination of titanium metal and plastic and mimic the normal motions of a hip joint.1,4
Depending on how severe the hip joint issues are, THR surgery for dogs can take between 2 and 3 hours. Right after surgery, your pup will be closely monitored in the hospital for at least 24 hours with continued pain medication administered in their IV.4
Recovery is an important part of ensuring the surgery is successful. Typically, dogs are able to go home 1 – 5 days after the operation. At home, your dog should stay mostly in their crate for the first 3 months after surgery, with potty breaks outside on a leash, and avoid stairs or slippery surfaces.1,4
After the first month of crate confinement, you can usually begin taking your dog on a few short and slow leashed walks per day, slightly increasing the activity amount each week. Around the 3-month mark, or 12 weeks, you’ll take your pup back to the vet for an exam and X-rays to determine if they’re healing properly.1,4
Your dog’s activity restrictions could be modified at this time if all looks good. Typically, around 4 months after THR surgery, your dog should be able to resume normal activity.4 However, these are estimated times and general instructions — your vet will give you the exact instructions and timelines to follow for your dog’s condition.
When faced with a total hip replacement, dog owners will likely be wondering about the price tag. Because THR surgery is such a major procedure, it can be costly — around $6,000 for one hip — not including all of the appointments and other care involved in helping your dog recover.5
The severity of the hip issues, your dog’s size and age, your vet’s location, and how your vet charges for related prep and recovery costs all play a part in determining the dollar amount. Some of the elements that could affect the overall cost for a canine total hip placement include:1,2,4,5
The good news is dog THR surgery has a relatively low risk of complications arising and a high success rate. The implants are also meant to last for your dog’s lifetime. These assurances could help make the cost worth it if it means your pup is no longer in pain.1,2
A total hip replacement for your dog can feel like a scary surgery, and the big bill can seem daunting as well. However, in dogs with severe hip dysplasia and painful arthritis, or a hip fracture, a THR can be vitally important in helping your furry friend get back on their feet and living a happy and pain-free life.
This is what one-year-old German shepherd Valor was able to do with the help of his dog insurance policy. He was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and — with being a larger breed, young pup — got a total hip replacement so he could continue growing as his playful, high-energy self. The surgery cost nearly $6,000, and his pet parents were reimbursed just under $5,000.6
Get a free quote and enroll your dog today, so you can prioritize their health without breaking the bank.
