Riot the patient

Riot had bilateral TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy)  surgery on Saturday, June 5, 1999 at the age of seven months.  He was up and walking around that same day!  The pictures below are from the day after his surgery. Riot was a great candidate for his bilateral TPO surgery.  He had no signs of osteoarthrosis, and was in excellent health.

One of the biggest things in Riot's favor was that he didn't have any dysplasia in his hips, since we caught it very early. I have shown big dogs in the past, and had been working with Riot and didn't like the way he seemed a little weak in the rear. I took him to my vet, who did x-rays and found out that his femur bone was too straight into the hip socket, so it didn't fit solidly in the socket. She referred me to Dr. Rooks of All Care Animal Referral Center, who is the orthopedic vet who did Riot's surgery. After a full set of x-rays from Dr. Rooks, he determined that Riot had a condition called "coxa valga."  Basically that means that the angle where the top of his femoral (leg) bone went into the hip socket was too straight. If left alone, this would eventually cause dysplasia. So for us, the bilateral TPO was preventative in that itriot would create a better hip/leg fit and prevent problems later on. If we hadn't done it, Riot probably would have needed total hip replacements later in life. And he would have been in discomfort and then pain along the way.

We're very glad we had the surgery, and would recommend it in a second. I struggled with the decision, since it seemed like a pretty radical thing to do, at such a young age. But it was the best thing we could have ever done. If you're in the southern California area, I'd highly recommend Dr. Rooks at All Care Animal Referral. I know of several people who have had their dog's orthopedic surgery there, and all of them have come through with flying colors!

Riot is doing great now! You'd never know that he had surgery. He was mostly recovered within 8-10 weeks, and was at 100% 4-5 months after his operation. At one year from his surgery, the vet declared the operation a total success (actually he had decided it was a success long before that), and is confident that Riot shouldn't have any problems with his hips in the future. It was a total "cure" for him!

Hey, what's this cone doing on my head?

Alright, I know I look silly.  But I can pretend, can't I?!

Breaking out!  This is one day after surgery.

Here he is, a little over a year after his surgery, ready to go play at the dog park!