My 9 month old lab has luxating patellas, which cause her to have a horrible hip problem. I knew about the knee problems monthes ago but we had to wait till she was 9 monthes to do anything about it, so we were sure that it wasnt just growing pains. 2 monthes ago she had xrays of her hips and knees. The hip were rated between fair and good. Then we had the same xrays done 2 days ago and her right hip has gone to bably failing, there is barely a socket for it anymore.
I talked to a knee specialist and she recommened taking her done to Iowa State to have a tpo on the hip and the knee surgery done at the same time. The specialist isnt trained to do the hips thats y she wanted me to go there.
I think that my pup is in pain bc the knee and not the hip but till she learns to talk nobody knows. I was kind of debating just having the specialist do the knee surgry for now-mainly bc of the lack of time. With my job its kinda hard to take 3-4 days off work to go to iowa. What im wondering is if this would be a bad decision in case the hip would get worse or start getting arthritis to the point that the tpo surgery would not work. I get laid off for the winter so next winter would be a perfect time to go have hip surgery done if it doesnt get worse.

There is an awesome orthopedic surgeon righ here in the Twin Cities. Does Patella surgery all the time and has no problem with TPOs. I can get his name and number for you... hold tight on the Iowa State plan... I have the utmost confidence that he would be able to serve your needs and do a great job.

Good Luck!

Ken

How much more expensive would he be. I hate to say it but cost is an issue, ans i was told that if were to take her north its gunna be alot more than south. Getting the surgery is gunna happen but i cant afford a fortune. I got a quote for the knee from the specialist in town at 1000-1100 and she guessed bout 2000-2500 for the hip.
I would be interest in the name and number.
Thank you

Eric, I think Ken may be talking about Dr. Levine based out of Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital. He is very well known in the Twin Cities. I would give them a call and they should be able to provide you with more info on him and/or costs.