So here's my dilemna. our wonderful one year old (shepherd mix they say, but more mix than anything i think) was limping one morning. X-rays showed fairly severe dysplasia in one hip, fairly mild in the other. Absolutely we're willing to do the full replacement. However...

That morning was the only time she's ever exhibited any symptoms at all. Running, jumping, twisting- she does it all. She shows no discomfort, even if you mess with her leg. So we're wondering whether we should wait until she shows some outward signs of problems or whether it's best to do it now and prevent further degeneration, including theother hip. After all, it's fairly major surgery and as such there are risks, and subsequent events could make it moot ( forinstance, she could drop dead from an unrelated aneurysm a week later). OTOH, if it's lilkey to make her old age pleasant instead of crippled, then that's that.

So, any advice, issues to consider, other comments?

Thank you, Nancy.That's what I was thinking.

As a note, I put this question here partly because I had let a small issue divert my attention from as good plan of attack. One of my very best friends is not only a vet but a Ph.D. in Pharmacology as well. I don't, however, like to pester him for free advice. The more general a question the better:what's an appropriate dosage of Benadryl  for a 100 pound  Shepherd ? He doesn't mind that at all. Needless to say, seeking a free diagnosis- of an animal he hasn't examined- is something that annoys him, and for good reason. So I hesitate to ask him for advice like this.

    So after I posted my question it occurred to me- my family vet, who did the X-ray that led to the diagnosis- would not be doing the surgery So he has no conflict, except that going non-surgical means more an issue visits for him, but that's not an issue, since a) I trust him that much and b) if he advised against surgery and that was seriously wrong he'd be risking our 5-pet business ; he'd be risking more business than he stood to gain.(Nor did he refer us to the specialist we got the second opinion from. He advises people not to go there unless it's a life/death after hours emergency or we need specialist care. Ava is's due for a one month follow up anyway

Still, any and all discussion here is greatly appreciated. I know about the value of free advice, but I can tell when someone says something intelligent or experinced that is something to consider.

Thanks again.