Hip Replacement (Animal)

Hip replacement in animals is a salvage surgical procedure performed on dogs and cats to relieve severe hip pain, most often caused by hip dysplasia or an irreparable bone fracture, by replacing the femoral head and the acetabulum with prosthetic implants. It is most commonly performed in medium and large breed dogs, since smaller animals put comparatively little weight-bearing strain on any one limb, though it can also be used on cats and on any animal weighing more than about forty pounds. Animals with long-standing hip dysplasia often adapt to chronic pain over time without appearing severely affected, and a successful replacement can restore a level of activity and apparent well-being not seen for years.