‘They’re always in pain’: 7 German Shepherds need hip surgery, forever homes
"If it’s not fixed, the joints will have an increased buildup of arthritis that will make it impossible for them to even be able to walk.”
Hip dysplasia usually affects dogs as they become older, but for a litter of seven German Shepherd puppies surrendered to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, all need surgery now before the disease leaves them unable to walk.But surgery is expensive, so the organization is asking for the public’s help with donations.“The ARLNH is at the point where financial help from the community is needed to provide the care that these amazing dogs need,” a Facebook post from the organization says. “Orthopedic issues of this severity require surgery to give these dogs the very best chance at living a pain-free life.”
Video of the dogs, who are eight months old, shows them walking in a splayed fashion and crouching a bit during steps.“It’s debilitating,” Naomi Stevens, ARLNH’s director of operations, told Boston.com. “So if it’s not fixed, the joints will have an increased buildup of arthritis that will make it impossible for them to even be able to walk.”The breeder, who was suffering from health issues, surrendered the dogs back in September. It’s the second litter of German Shepherds from this owner that ARLNH has taken in, according to the post. The first litter, also with seven, was surrendered back in July; all have been adopted out. They, too, had some hip dysplasia, but it isn’t noticeable when they walk, according to Stevens.“It’s not that they didn’t or that they don’t have hip dysplasia,” Stevens said. “It’s that it wasn’t affecting them in the same way. It’s very common for the breed to have hip dysplasia, but it’s uncommon for it to impact them at such a young age.”Hip dysplasia usually becomes noticeable in older dogs.“That’s when their hips will start to sag or they need help getting up,” Stevens said. “That’s when you see it. So to have a litter of puppies all have it at such a young age, and to have it affecting their gait, it’s honestly horrifying.”All seven puppies are in pain, Stevens said. She equated the hip dysplasia to if a person injures their leg, or if your hip hurts, and you just adjust the way you move to minimize it the pain.
“They have made adjustments to be able to move in ways that they are able to move comfortably,” Stevens said. “They’re always in pain pretty much and just need surgery so that they can move a little more freely and have a better gait.”The surgery is costly – $7,500 to $8,000 per hip for a replacement. However, ARLNH is exploring options for each dog to see what each one needs, according to Stevens.Despite their pain, the dogs are happy and each has a unique personality, she said. “They’re such a happy group of dogs and they have such a great spirit that we don’t want to make it so that they can’t live a long, happy life,” she said. “So that’s why we want to do these surgeries, to give them the best chance.”
Donations for the dogs can be made on ARLNH’s website.
https://www.facebook.com/arlnh/photos/a.373990925221/10156675738130222/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDBYsYeSVCYw3ISYS5_1sFvnFGwA_ZXWu9NRTOChSrgSM-IJLjCmQDdvCMnqwXW5SKkogMhZH_VMEmoeygqhX3FYjr_KHe8xBOLaTb2jfxr7I59wHseyr1HdqasFKlutE4cO43U-7CbhPidwih2geybbcGD9gGu2WHwkUkHfJ7FiMh_xnX–vLBln5ddppQSml3S3vVK2UgB2c8oMuHNDLAwQ7iR_5ZPN2mQo6azp7Dg7Exc3v1q1QD6cX3kT4DW3BVLopEDuVGgnjHayNXQng9xbgv78N_ai6jlzTVHsqoFde9cscGAvtRFoH8yLCxyqjDTm5TSAb2W9SXTw&__tn__=-R
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