My dog has HD, but she's only two.
Her hip score is 84, whih is pretty bad!

She has a lot of muscle, and her hips don't seem to affect her at all (she was diagnosed by 'accident', whilst investigating another problem).

If your dog is managing on the medication and supplements, I wouldn't put her through an operation.

If there has not been any recent deteriation I would hold off on surgery, your dog is now ten, and there are risks involved with GA I know many dogs have been operated on at this age, but sibes have their own problems with GA that other breeds dont, and if the quality of life is not effected and you are managing your dogs pain with medication I personally dont see why you should have it done, also what may not have been said is sometimes once a joint has been invaded by intrusive surgery, this itself can cause arthris. its a big decision, and I wish you well with whatever go decided to do. have you tried any sibe specific sites to make your enquiry? it may be worth googling to see if there are any, I know in the UK there is a site specifically dedicated to sibes but you have to be a member of the club I think to access it.

Mo

Must say I think hip problems in sibs is unusual, but perhaps things have changed.

Jackie, what a nice story. Rex was so lucky to have found you and even
luckier that you cared enough to want to make his life enjoyable by
purchasing the cart for him. I've seen a couple of dogs around here with
the cart and I think it's great. I'm sorry you lost him, but it sounds as if
you made the years you had him good ones.

Hevvur, I don't know what my dog's hip score is. I don't even know if
they score hips here. My vet has never mentioned it. My vet took
x-rays about 5 years ago and then again last year and her hips have
gotten worse. But, like I said, she seems to be doing just fine.

Mo, I was afraid that if I had the surgery, it may aggravate the problem.
I'm glad people are saying not to have the surgery because it reinforces
my opinion that it's not a good idea. I know Border Collies and Huskies
both have problems with their hips, so my poor baby didn't stand a chance.
By the way, what's a "GA"?

Leslie, first thank you for you kind comments, it was many years ago now but reading your remarks still brings a lump to my throat.

Second in the UK there is little problem with the Siberian the score being 7 and when you think the best of all breeds scored in 2004 was 0 the worst was 106 you will see 7 is a good mean score. Border collies were also low with a mean score of 11 however the situation in the USA may be very different.

My BC Brett had a hip score of 68(34:34)Not only did he never have any problems with his movement he was never on any treatment either i lost him to cancer when he was 13 1/2

Dyane, I'm sorry you lost Brett. In my opinion, losing a dog is much worse
than losing a person, except a child of course.

But you did give me hope about the hip dysplasia. I can't believe that he
wasn't being treated for it and he still did well. That's incredible.

After reading all the responses, I have pretty much made up my mind that
I'm not going to have the surgery done. I may still have a consultation
with the surgeon, but I doubt I'll go ahead with the surgery.

Thank you everyone!!

Thank God for Dogweb!

hi leslie - in answer to your question re: bruno . I would only put Bruno through the surgery if he got so bad that it affected his quality of life and the best solution was a hip replacement - Realistically i dont see it coming to that as he has such good muscle tone and the vet said providing we keep his weight under control keep him muscley and keep him on his joint medication realistically he should be ok. After all he has always had it and has learned to adapt to it.

dani

Dani:

I'm glad you told me that. My vet made it sound like I had to have the
surgery done. My dog is the same as Bruno. She's active, she's not
overweight, she's got good muscle tone , and she has adapted to the HD. And she's on all those meds. So, from what you wrote, she probably
wouldn't need the surgery.

Now, I'm 99% sure I won't go through with it.

glad to have been of use - obviously bruno is younger but ur dog sounds like she is doing fine and i genuinely think its alot to put an older dog through.