My Dog Callie

Question
She was recently hit by car dislocating rear hip. My vet tried to put back in place but she says it wouldn't stay. Now she says surgery. What do you think? CALLIE is 8yrs. old also an Irish setter.

Answer
If the hip won't stay in place due to stretched ligaments, then surgery is your only recourse unless you want to live with a three-legged dog the rest of her life.

We had this surgery done to one of our gals who was rammed by one of the larger dogs when they were outside. We did have to start doing physical therapy immediately after the surgery to keep that leg supple, and every week we were given new exercises for her to do. She also went to a veterinary physical therapist and was exercised on an underwater treadmill for several weeks, and then we put her on a human treadmill and did stair work with her to build up her leg muscles.

Witch was my daughter's first agility dog, and she was nearly ten years old when she was injured. After six months of therapy, Witchy was once more competing in agility, and she finished her AKC agility championship title (MACH) at the age of 12 years, 11 months, and 7 days. http://britmorschnauzers.com/witch.html

If you do the surgery, be prepared to do the after-care and therapy to get your dog on four legs again. To do less is not fair to the dog.

Best wishes and good luck with your dog.