20/07/2026
Meet George! 🐱💙
Just a few weeks ago, 9-month-old George came to us with a severe injury to his right hip that left him in significant pain. His X-rays showed separation of the hip joint and extensive damage along the bone.
Because the damage was so severe, simply repairing the fracture wasn't an option.
Without another limb-saving option, amputation would likely have been the next step to relieve his pain.
Instead, Dr Don, who holds Membership qualifications in Small Animal Surgery, performed a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO). In simple terms, this surgery removes the damaged ball of the hip joint that is causing pain. This allows most cats to go back to running around pain-free again.
By performing an FHO, we were able to save George's leg while relieving his pain. At his 4-week recheck, he's making excellent progress and is well on his way to getting back to his mischievous kitten self.
Swipe through the X-rays to see the difference:
🩻 Before surgery: George's right hip was badly damaged. The ball of the hip joint had separated from the femur, and there was severe damage and bone loss around the neck of the femur, making the joint impossible to repair.
🩻 After surgery: The damaged part of the hip joint has been removed, taking away the source of George's pain while preserving his leg and allowing him to recover.
We're so proud of George's progress and can't wait to see him continue to thrive! ❤️
