Quote:
Originally Posted by AKA_Monet
Good luck!!! What time is your procedure? How much are you going to help? Will you be making the incision or closing up? I know you will do well!
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We started at 10:15am. Actually, I did more than I thought I was going to do.

Actually, hip dysplasia can also be hereditary which was the case with this puppy. She's a little over 5 months old and she only had a moderate case of it. We used a procedure called JPS. (Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis) I made the incision with supervision of course, but the Dr. did the rest. I did help through the surgery though. Basically, how it works is we make the incision in the lower abdomen, and the pubic bone is cauterized using a surgical cautery probe. This actually stops the pubic bone from growing, and as the rest of the pelvis continues to grow, the hip sockets kinda end up rotating slightly outward and downward. So basically, when it's all said and done, the repositioned hip sockets hold the head of the femur more firmly, which pretty much eliminates the problem. In some cases it just reduces it though.
I lucked up, because if it would have been a Triple pelvic osteotomy, then I don't think he would have let me get as involved. TPOs are really expensive too. Yikes!
For the most part though, it went well. I learned a lot. 3 more weeks before I start my 2nd year.
ETA: When school starts I'll go back to working part time again, but I think I'm going to volunteer at one of the animal shelters, if I have time.