Week 9 post op

Raven and Sula in the car coming home from the vet

 Sula has mild hip dysplasia.  Of course the x-rays looked pretty good in comparison to Raven's before his surgery, but the problem wasn't just in the x-rays:  The Ortolani test revealed that she has laxity in her hips as well.  So I decided to do the JPS surgery instead of "waiting to see how her hips turn out". With our luck, waiting would turn out to be a huge mistake, and I'd punch myself in the face if she ended up needing TPO surgery because we decided to "wait". 

Sula flaunting her new battle wound on her belly

 It is such a difference as far as the amount of stress and trauma involved with this procedure.  She will only need to be on a leash/controlled environment for 3-4 weeks, and then hopefully her hips will grow to a better conformation on their own.  She's almost completely normal, other than wanting to lick her stitches. 

Raven waiting for his much-deserved freedom.

Raven's hips look amazing on the x-rays due to the TPO surgery, even better than Sula's, but they are still popping (of course the vet could not replicate it.)  Right now he's very happy with his frequent walks and larger amount of freedom in the house.  While in Alabama, Raven got to stay with us overnight in a hotel, and he had a very good time walking through the parking lot medians and even got to go on a woodland trail off the side of a road.  He was quite pleased.  This poor dog has had a miserable beginning, and such little things make him so happy.  And he even had the chance to bark at strangers at night.  Let me just say that even with a dog like Raven (bad hips and silly haircut), I had no fear of walking in a strange place at night. Still, he will not be allowed to be off leash outside until after Sula's surgery.  Anyway, this is week 9 and 7 for his hips.  Almost there!