How Much Does FHO Surgery for Dogs Cost?

An FHO surgery is performed to treat hip fractures, severe arthritis, Legg-Perthes disease, and, most commonly, hip dysplasia in dogs. The surgery can cost anywhere between $1,200-$2,500⁽³⁾ depending on the dog’s condition, the number of days needed in the hospital, etc.  

Before we dive deep into the costs, it is important to know what an FHO surgery is, when it is needed, what factors cause those conditions, symptoms, other treatment options available, etc. These will help you understand the costs better. 

To understand the importance of FHO surgery, let’s understand the anatomy of the hip joint in dogs. 

Anatomy of a Hip Joint in Dogs

The hip joint in dogs is a ball-and-socket joint that works like a hinge. It allows the smooth movement of the back legs. The rounded top of the thigh bone called the femur, is the ball and the pelvis is the socket. A layer of cartilage covers them to cushion movement and prevent wear and tear and strong ligaments and muscles hold everything in place, ensuring stability and flexibility. ⁽²⁾

This beautiful anatomy helps dogs run behind cars, chase bubbles, and wag their tails at the sight of their favorite person. 

But as they say, even the strongest iron can get rusted, these strong joints of dogs can get affected by certain conditions. 

Read More: The Cost of Hip Dysplasia Surgery

Hip Conditions in a Dog

Active or young pups are always at risk of a hip-joint condition. Some dogs are prone to genetic conditions as well. They include – ⁽²⁾

What are the Treatment Options Available for Hip Problems in Dogs? 

There are three common surgery options for hip problems in dogs. They include – ⁽²⁾

Each option has its pros and cons. The vet may be able to prescribe the best course of action depending on the condition of the dog. 

We could talk about all of these in detail, but since this article is titled ‘ FHO surgery cost’, we’ll keep it limited to that. 

What is FHO Surgery, and how does it help?

FHO surgery is a procedure that removes the rounded top part that fits into the hip socket, or what we call as the ‘ball’. The joint then no longer has bone-to-bone contact. This eliminates the sources of the pain. What then happens is the surrounding muscles form a false joint to support the leg, which indeed allows the dog to move comfortably. ⁽²⁾

The success rate of this surgery is very high in dogs with less than 50 pounds weight. The surgery is often followed by rehab. It includes controlled exercises and physical therapy. The dog may also need some pain relief and anti-inflammation medication during the recovery phase. Most dogs adapt very well to the change and live a very comfortable life despite the fact that the joint won’t work exactly like it used to. 

How Much Does FHO Surgery Cost in Dogs?

The cost of FHO surgery in dogs will depend on factors like who performs the surgery, where, the size of the dog, underlying health conditions if any, complexity of the case and your location. It can be anywhere between $1,200-$2,500. ⁽³⁾

The cost typically includes the following things – ⁽¹⁾

The list can vary depending on the facility. There may be some additional costs that may not be included in the bill. They may include – 

During the recovery phase, the dog may also need a prescription diet and alternative treatment options like aqua therapy, acupuncture and laser therapy. The vet may be able to recommend the best course of action for the dog, depending on the case. 

Now, here’s the best part of the article.

How can you get reimbursed on FHO surgery costs in dogs? 

Preventing the condition is undoubtedly the best option. But sometimes, that may not be an option. In that case, pet insurance can be the best way to get reimbursed on eligible costs related to FHO surgery in dogs. 

With Spot Pet Insurance, you can get reimbursed up to 90% of the surgery cost and eligible costs related to it. Plans at Spot Pet also can help cover additional treatments like alternate therapies, follow-up visits, prescription diets and more. It is important to note that pre existing conditions and symptoms that arise during the waiting period are not covered. 

More About Spot Pet Insurance 

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.