Double hip replacement restores canine’s energy and mobility

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Theo, a one-year-old Samoyed, was referred to the Hospital for Small Animals’ Orthopaedic Surgery Service with severe hip osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia. This resulted in a reduced exercise tolerance and Theo became lame after playing with other dogs. While conservative management was helping, his quality of life was affected, as was that of his owners.

After referral to our service, we confirmed radiographically that Theo was a suitable candidate for a total hip replacement and he was scheduled to have the procedure on his right hip joint, which was the worst affected of the two.

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Thanks to the expertise of the Hospital’s Anaesthesia team, Theo was walking comfortably on his operated hip three hours after surgery. His recovery was supervised in the Hospital’s Intermediate Care ward, which allowed for close monitoring and active support of his initial recuperation by the Hospital’s nursing team, before he was discharged to continue his convalescence at home.

Second surgery

A year after surgery on his right hip joint, Theo’s newfound comfort on the operated leg highlighted that he was now struggling more on the left hind leg. Theo therefore returned to the Hospital for a second total hip replacement, this time on his left hip.

Theo’s second surgery went well, and, following a brief period of recuperation at home, he regained a comfortable range of hip motion in both legs.

Theo is now living pain-free and no longer requires non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. His owners report that his activity levels have markedly improved since surgery, as have his general mobility and energy levels. X-ray following surgeries shows two prosthetic femoral heads sitting correctly in prosthetic ‘cup’ implants.

Multidisciplinary expertise

The Orthopaedic Surgery Service worked in close partnership with the Diagnostic Imaging, Anaesthesia and Nursing teams to ensure the highest standards of welfare and care for Theo.

Professor Dylan Clements, who managed Theo’s case, has more than 20 years of experience performing total hip replacements in dogs and undertaking research into the genetic basis of hip arthritis to develop new strategies to prevent it in future generations.

Theo’s case is a great example of the result that can be achieved when multidisciplinary teams work collaboratively to maximise the outcome for their patients. It also highlights the importance of the Hospital’s cutting-edge research into these devastating diseases to improve the health and welfare of dogs.  Every case referred to the Dick Vet helps us in that mission.

Dylan Clements