Well, it's been a while since I last posted about River's health, so here's an update. It turns out that she has arthritis in her front right elbow, but the biggest problem is hip dysplasia. She has it on both sides, but the vet has recommended FHO (removal of the tip of the femur bone) for only one of the legs. She says that usually provides enough relief, although my husband and I have our doubts. We're currently saving up the money for her surgery, which we should be able to afford in about a month. But I had a couple of questions for the Corgi community before we take her in.
First of all, has anyone out there had a dog with hip dysplasia on both sides that had the FHO treatment done for only one femur? And if so, did it work?
Secondly, what should I expect in terms of recovery? How long should I keep her fairly immobile? My vet will be teaching me what physical therapy type exercises to be doing with her, but I've heard that initially I'll need to keep her crated thoughout the day, which is a sad prospect since River is so very active.
If anyone has had any experience in this area, please let me hear your thoughts. I'm worried about my little River and I want to make sure we're doing what's best for her.