Apollo's Hip Replacement Fund
Donation protected
Hello!
My name is Luke Ditzler and I am the owner of a lovable, four-year-old Burmese Mountain Dog mix named Apollo. I picked up Apollo from the SPCA during my Junior year of college, and it has been the best decision I've made in my entire life. Minus the academic books, shoes, table legs etc. which were destroyed when I initially got him as a pup, he is most loyal and affectionate dog I have ever come into contact with. He's extremely active and loves to play outside (especially in the snow). Waking up to dog breath and his big head nudging against mine is the best possible start to my day, and I can't imagine life without that lovable ball of fur.
Unfortunately for Apollo, he began to have lameness in his rear leg at the beginning of September. I took him to the veterinarian and he was diagnosed with chronic hip dysplasia, and I was also told that a hip replacement would be inevitable. The hip joint is composed of the ball and the socket, and hip dysplasia is the failure of the hip joints to develop normally; which causes gradual deterioration and leads to loss of function of the hip joints. Seeing my man not being able to run, hearing him whine when attempting to stand up, and not having any type of eagerness to move because of the pain killed me on the inside. It seemed as if I had a completely different dog, and I could see in his eyes he was not happy.
It took some time to find a surgeon with openings in their schedule because hip replacements are done by specialists, but luckily I was able to find an opening for an initial visit at Cornell University - College of Veterinary Medicine for January 11th! Usually, if it is a case as severe as Apollo's, surgery will be done ASAP after the initial visit.
There are two types of procedures which can be done to alleviate Apollo from this excruciating pain:
Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) - This is the removal of the “ball” part of the ball-and-socket that makes up the hip joint. This way, the bones of the joint are no longer in contact, which eliminates the pain that is caused by the abnormal contact of the bones in a dog with hip dysplasia. This procedure can cost anywhere between $2,200-2,400. This is a much less invasive procedure that will require less rehabilitation.
Total Hip Replacement (THP) - Both the ball and socket of the hip joint are replaced with prosthetic implants. The new ball is made from a cobalt-chromium metal alloy and the new socket from high molecular weight polyethylene plastic. Special bone cement is used to hold these implants in place. This procedure can cost anywhere from $4,500-6,000, and is much more invasive than FHO, and requires extensive rehabilitation time.
Unfortunately, I will not know which procedure will be required until Apollo goes for his initial visit to the Cornell Vet Hospital on January 11th.
I am currently two months into my current job and making a little more than enough to get by, but nowhere near enough to pay for Apollo's medical bills which will include but are not limited to: initial visitation and x-rays, the procedure itself, overnight costs, medication, and additional post-surgery visits/x-rays. I am asking to please donate any amount you are able to in order to help me pay for this costly procedure, but more importantly, Apollo during this difficult stage of his young life. Any donation is extremely appreciated. If I reach my goal and surpass it, or if I reach my goal and the FHO (less costly procedure) is recommended and I have money left over after post-surgery visits are completed, I will donate all remaining money to the SPCA to help other animals in need of a loving home.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this message, and may you (and your pets) have a wonderful day!
My name is Luke Ditzler and I am the owner of a lovable, four-year-old Burmese Mountain Dog mix named Apollo. I picked up Apollo from the SPCA during my Junior year of college, and it has been the best decision I've made in my entire life. Minus the academic books, shoes, table legs etc. which were destroyed when I initially got him as a pup, he is most loyal and affectionate dog I have ever come into contact with. He's extremely active and loves to play outside (especially in the snow). Waking up to dog breath and his big head nudging against mine is the best possible start to my day, and I can't imagine life without that lovable ball of fur.
Unfortunately for Apollo, he began to have lameness in his rear leg at the beginning of September. I took him to the veterinarian and he was diagnosed with chronic hip dysplasia, and I was also told that a hip replacement would be inevitable. The hip joint is composed of the ball and the socket, and hip dysplasia is the failure of the hip joints to develop normally; which causes gradual deterioration and leads to loss of function of the hip joints. Seeing my man not being able to run, hearing him whine when attempting to stand up, and not having any type of eagerness to move because of the pain killed me on the inside. It seemed as if I had a completely different dog, and I could see in his eyes he was not happy.
It took some time to find a surgeon with openings in their schedule because hip replacements are done by specialists, but luckily I was able to find an opening for an initial visit at Cornell University - College of Veterinary Medicine for January 11th! Usually, if it is a case as severe as Apollo's, surgery will be done ASAP after the initial visit.
There are two types of procedures which can be done to alleviate Apollo from this excruciating pain:
Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) - This is the removal of the “ball” part of the ball-and-socket that makes up the hip joint. This way, the bones of the joint are no longer in contact, which eliminates the pain that is caused by the abnormal contact of the bones in a dog with hip dysplasia. This procedure can cost anywhere between $2,200-2,400. This is a much less invasive procedure that will require less rehabilitation.
Total Hip Replacement (THP) - Both the ball and socket of the hip joint are replaced with prosthetic implants. The new ball is made from a cobalt-chromium metal alloy and the new socket from high molecular weight polyethylene plastic. Special bone cement is used to hold these implants in place. This procedure can cost anywhere from $4,500-6,000, and is much more invasive than FHO, and requires extensive rehabilitation time.
Unfortunately, I will not know which procedure will be required until Apollo goes for his initial visit to the Cornell Vet Hospital on January 11th.
I am currently two months into my current job and making a little more than enough to get by, but nowhere near enough to pay for Apollo's medical bills which will include but are not limited to: initial visitation and x-rays, the procedure itself, overnight costs, medication, and additional post-surgery visits/x-rays. I am asking to please donate any amount you are able to in order to help me pay for this costly procedure, but more importantly, Apollo during this difficult stage of his young life. Any donation is extremely appreciated. If I reach my goal and surpass it, or if I reach my goal and the FHO (less costly procedure) is recommended and I have money left over after post-surgery visits are completed, I will donate all remaining money to the SPCA to help other animals in need of a loving home.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this message, and may you (and your pets) have a wonderful day!
Organizer
Luke Logan
Organizer
Greenbriar Heights, VA