This post is sad for me to write.  Nikki is my ten month old, bright-eyed, active Aussie mix, a rescue.  I recently learned that she has  severe hip dysplasia. Her condition is bilateral which means it is affecting both hips and currently her left hip is worse than his right.

Hip dysplasia is an extremely painful, progressive and crippling disease, which can affect any dog, but most often affects larger breeds. It’s not breed-specific, although some breeds are more prone to it than others and as many people know —Although Nikki is a rescue and I’ll never know her heritage or genetic background, I am sure she is an Aussie Mix.

The specialist told me I have two options:

1) Get her a total hip replacement to the tune of $5,000 to $5,300 per hip!

3) The 2nd option (which actually turns out to be the middle option) is called FHO surgery which is the short version of femoral head arthroplasty, ostectomy or femoral head excision. This surgery involves removing the round “head” of the femer bone that fits into the surrounding cartilage and then allowing (and helping) the scar tissue to form a new connection from the femur to the pelvis.

The vet showed me a plastic model of the hip and pelvis area and how a normal ball-joint is round like a ball and fits smoothly into the socket. Then he showed me how a ball-joint affected by hip dysplasia is all bumpy and prickly looking (really large prickles!). He also showed me how an affected hip does not fit into the socket and explained how every move Nikki makes is bone on bone and painful for her because there is nothing there to cushion it and it doesn’t fit into the socket.

It has been suggested that surgery be done on the left side in March and again 8 weeks later on the right side. Meanwhile, Nikki’s activity has been curtailed from running free  to very short leash walks as I figure out how to proceed.

I do not have children of my own. My two dogs are my babies. As a single, elementary teacher, these unexpected medical expenses and rehabilitation have been overwhelming and beyond my ability to manage.This is why I am swallowing my pride and asking for help.