FHO Surgery (Femoral Head Ostectomy)

[Jennifer Moore]

Has anyone's doodle had to have FHO surgery? My Goldendoodle Dazi is almost 7 months old and has been having trouble. I took her to the vet and the Dr did xrays and she has severe hip dyplasia. She is having FHO surgery on the right hip wednesday. The surgeon says this is the best thing for her instead of a full hip replacement. She is in a lot of pain and I hope this is going to help her. She will have the left side done after she has healed up from the right side. I sick with worry and wondering if anyone else has gone through this and how is the recovery for them. I hate this for my baby. I cant stand to see her in pain.

[Jennifer Moore]

Thanks Joanne.   I am beyond angry about it but I am focused on getting my baby girl better.  I will let you be angry for me for awhile.  I have exhausted myself with anger and crying for this baby being in pain.  I just want this to help her and get out of the pain she is in.   She is so sweet and so cute.  She is the best snuggler ever.   

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Jennifer - that is really heartbreaking but you are doing the right thing.  Just know that you are not alone, do not beat yourself up about it and you are by no means the first person to go through this.  I have a friend who is very prominent in the dog service business community here in Chicago, as much of a "dog person" as there is.  Well, the way she got there was because 10 years ago when she first moved here from a small down she bought an adorable "miniature pug" from the back of a truck.  He turned out to be something like three weeks old and barely survived.  She did everything she could, and somehow he made it.  Now he is practically a celebrity.  He's the figurehead for her doggy party business, so much that she has been able to quit her corporate job and do that full time.  He has had appearances in the news and on Today Show and other TV spots.  Never once anything to do with his dark past - just a funny, if crotchety, old pug.  So all I am saying is, you never know how these things will work out.

[F, Calla & Luca]

But clearance means nothing. The breeder could look at a dog and say to her it seems fine and give it "clearance". Only scores or that sort of thing from recognized tests have any meaning.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Exactly.  The word clearance is on the retrievers ( dams) and clearance and certified are used on the sires.  Certified bull shoots is what that is...  SCORES are what count.

Okay, enough of me today. UGH. 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Was just doing a bit of research, and I see there are at least some states that recognize that the owner might not want to give up the pet and therefore require reimbursement for medical expenses by law.  Very cool.  Not sure about Virginia, though.  Here's an article that might be helpful:

http://animallaw.info/articles/dduspetsales.htm

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

I saw a case like that on People's Court! :) The judge told the breeder her contract wasn't valid because in her state (NY, I believe), it was against the law to only offer a replacement puppy and not monetary reimbursement. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

you know what kills me  ( my mouth chiming in) most breeders will have a dog with that kind of a problem put down.... It makes me sick.. No one who has a heart would return the dog ... What a crap situations..

Remember my mouth and ready and available just say the word....

[Leslie and Halas]

I think with this type of guarantee, the breeder is banking on the fact that most people won't want a replacement puppy, especially if that includes returning the puppy they have.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Exactly.  That's why it doesn't do you any good if you are the buyer.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Beautiful baby!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So sorry to hear that you and Dazi have to go through this.  Best wishes to you both as you go through the surgery and as you fight this battle with your breeder.  I agree that the breeder should provide a full refund.  While you say that she has voided the warranty since you got her spayed at 6 months, you also mention that the Vet records indicate the issue early on.  It just so happens that it took this long to get the diagnosis.  I feel the issue appeared before she was spayed so warranty is valid.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Jennifer,

My Wally has hip dysplasia, though (thankfully) he has required no surgical intervention.  I belong to this Yahoo group, which you might want to consider joining:  [e-mail].  I will be thinking about you and Dazi on Wednesday.  I have read many positive stories about FHO surgery changing a dog's life for the better.  

Laurie