Femoral Head Osteotomy for Dogs and Cats: 

What You Need to Know

Watching your pet suffer in pain is a heartbreaking experience. When traditional treatments and pain management techniques no longer work, you need a better way to resolve your pet's pain. Femoral head osteotomy is a procedure that corrects issues in the hips that make moving difficult for your aging cat or dog. With the right surgical team, your pet can recover quickly and enjoy a happy, pain-free life. Our staff at Richview Animal Hospital wants you to know about the femoral head osteotomy procedure and what you can expect.

What is a Femoral Head Osteotomy?

Hip dysplasia is the chronic displacement of the hip bones. There are a number of effective, non-surgical treatments that can ease the discomfort of this disease. However, in the advanced stages, it can be hard to make your pet comfortable via conventional means. Other conditions like osteoarthritis and other bone diseases contribute to the deterioration of bone tissue. This can leave your pet limping or completely avoiding the activities they once enjoyed.

A femoral head osteotomy is the removal of the ball-and-socket joint that joins the hip to the thigh. In most cases of severe and unresponsive hip pain, this procedure ends the pet's suffering while still allowing them a great deal of physical freedom.

After the removal of the socket, the muscles in the hip, thigh, and pelvis combine to absorb the shock once handled by the femoral bone. Built-up scar tissue also helps keep the leg functional by supporting the animal's weight during movement. Many pet owners notice their animal's leg seems shorter on one side after surgery. However, that usually does not compromise their ability to move after recovery.

What to Expect After Femoral Head Osteotomy

After your surgery, the veterinarian will send you home with detailed aftercare instructions. You may also be provided with prescription medications to relieve post-surgical pain or control possible infection. Always follow the advice of your veterinary team for the best results.

Every animal heals differently. However, you can expect to see your pet feeling better and moving with less pain within a few days of the procedure. For some animals, exercises to strengthen the muscles in the surgical area will help them regain their abilities more quickly.

You may notice your pet limping or favoring the treated area after this surgery. This usually is not an indication of pain. Rather, this is a side effect of being imbalanced. It may take some time for your pet to learn to adjust their movements to their new body structure. Keep them active and consult your veterinary team if you are worried about your pet's progress.

Professional and Empathetic Veterinary Care in Etobicoke

Is your pet suffering from hip pain? Let the experts at Richview Animal Hospital help your Etobicoke area family find relief. Contact our veterinarian team to learn more about treatment options that fit your pet's needs. You can call us at (416) 245-8805 to schedule an appointment today!