Dog had hip surgery as a pup. What are the long-term health risks?

Question

Want to buy 2yr Yorker who had hip surgery when young... what are risk of getting her for later in life issue? Can they live long happy life without further medical problems?

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

It depends on the type to hip surgery the dog had, but arthritis is a common occurrence later in life in animals with early joint problems. The arthritis can be treated with pain medications and joint supplements, and you may want to consider starting her on joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate now. She can still have a full life. I have a Chow Chow who needed two surgeries on her knees before she was a year old due to rupturing her cranial cruciate ligaments, and she is now eight years old still running around. I've had her on those supplements I mentioned, but I haven't had any problems so far. You are never going to a dog that doesn't have some kind of medical problem at some point in their life, but you can take measures now with the supplements to see her healthy. It's also important to keep her at a good weight and prevent her from being obese. Regular exercise is important, and you can consider doing hydrotherapy with her (swimming). It's a great low impact way to build up muscles and keep a dog in shape. I hope this helps!

Dog had hip surgery as a pup. What are the long-term health risks?

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