Canine total hip prosthesis: a case report

This communication describes the use of a total hip prosthesis to successfully alleviate the symptoms of severe coxofemoral osteoarthrosis in a seven-year-old Samoyed dog. Prior to implantation of the prosthesis, the dog had been treated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs and a bilateral pectineal myectomy had been performed. These measures had achieved only limited control of the symptoms. After total hip replacement there was a rapid improvement in the dog's demeanour and use of the leg which had been operated on. This improvement was maintained during the twelve-month follow-up period.