Look at these hips - Page 2

Chrissy, I am so sorry :(  I can imagine how heartbreaking this is for you.  I have heard that the TPO (I think that is correct) is much cheaper and is a good choice for some young dogs/pups.  But I am sure it is still really pricey too :( 

Maybe speak with the breeder.... they may be willing to let you have the puppy price (or part of) of an upcoming litter in place of your "replacement" puppy?  The breeder would not be out anything more than he would be if giving you a replacement puppy.  They may want to help you where/how they can!  Just a thought, it wouldnt hurt to ask the breeder and talk to them about it.  Also maybe Care Credit would be an option for you to pay for surgery, then you could pay it off over time?  Just a couple of thoughts.

I also agree with Blitzen that you can get hips like this from a well bred litter.  Crap happens.  Doesnt mean that this is automatically a poor breeder (although we know nothing about them, so we dont know one way or the other).  IMO it depends on if the breeder did everything right (hips/elbows cert, titled parents, etc..) and also how they handle the situation now. 

I do agree with Two Moons that sometimes putting the dog to sleep is the kinder option... BUT when it is your dog that you love, it isnt easy to see it that way.  It doesnt mean that this is the only option!  Chrissy, take your time and figure things out, find out exactly what options you have, exactly what you can afford, what the breeder has to say, then weigh all of the options and make the best choice for your dog. 

JMO of course... and again Chrissy, I am sorry :(
Valerie

I just called the specialty clinic that does hip replacements and they quoted me $5000 a hip. There's just no way I can afford that, even if I sold everything I own. I do not want to put him down, he's still a pup. I will try to find someone with a pool who would let him swim, but it's so cold at night I'm not even sure if it'd be a good idea. This is bull-.

ETA:
I did shoot an email off to the breeder; first thing I did when I got home today. Waiting for a response or call.

Speak to your vet they maybe able to refer you to a hydrotherapy pool in your area.

Chrissy where do you live? I have one of the best surgeons here and maybe he could help you, but if you are too far then it might not be an option.

ChrissyKim, that's a lot of money. I have had specialty surgery done on a dog (both legs) for nowhere near that, by a HIGHLY accredited doctor who actually patents orthopedic implants. So, I'm not saying that you should go cheap and not take him to a good surgeon, but I'm saying that I think you've been quoted high. 

You can look into CareCredit, also. That's a way to finance it if you choose to go this route. I would also try swimming the heck out of him to tighten those muscles. Also try alternative methods- massage can help, chiropractic can help, acupuncture can help. And they are all a lot less money! Ironically, the dogs with the absolute worst hips often have less pain because they don't have the bone to bone contact. If the muscles tighten up he may be ok until you can afford surgery.

Where do you live? The vet I use is in a suburb of Chicago. Also try the teaching hospitals/universities. 

Agree with Jenni, hydrotherapy, acupuncture,prolo or provo? (spelling) therapy, and biopuncture and laser and so on. I had a dog with an injury and all the holistic/non-traditional methods paid off.

I live in Tucson, Arizona. Unfortunately, this clinic is the only one that does hip replacements here according to the other clinic I called; the next closest place is over 2 hours away. I know about CareCredit, but I know I won't qualify for $5000; I'd get $2k at best, just like when I applied for Wells Fargo Health Advantage when I was getting his teeth taken care of, and there's no way for me to come up with $3k. I will try to find a place that does water therapy and the other things you mentioned though.

Blitzen,
Yes of course it is possible, tight line breeding or all out inbreeding can make the odds even higher.

I never asked if you bred or were reputable.

Lets say the breeder replaces the dog, just a what if, then what?

What happens next to the dog, besides turning it's world upside down.

I love animals too much to put one through that.

To take an animal who's known a home and send it off to a re-home or shelter to me is cruel, stressful, turning the dogs world into a living hell of fear and uncertainty.

Putting one down is a kindness in my opinion compared to that.

Lets say you spend the money on surgeries and keep the dog on med's and special treatment for the rest of it's life.
Give the dog all it needs, love, attention and care, it still feels pain.

I dunno, it's up to the individual, I'm only giving my own opinions here.

No harm no foul.
Moons.

My suggestion is, that you take your puppy time. If you can not afford a surgery and you do not want to put him down, then you have to change some things in dogs everyday life.
No heavy excercise, no jumping, no pulling things and no running. His weight must be controlled, he must not be overfeed. He is still developing and his bones are still soft and muscles not developed enough to support the hips.
I know the problem very well because I have bred mastiff type of the dog. I wish you and the dog good luck!!

MOONS is right,be realistic people. where did you buy this puppy, if I may ask ? Good luck