Looking for FHO surgery for dogs and cats in Tulare, CA? Sequoia Animal Hospital provides orthopedic evaluation and selected hip surgery services for pets with hip pain, hip injuries, hip luxation, femoral head or neck problems, and mobility issues.
FHO stands for femoral head ostectomy, a hip surgery that removes the head and neck of the femur when the hip joint is painful, damaged, unstable, or no longer functioning normally. It may be discussed for selected dogs and cats with certain hip injuries, hip luxation, femoral head or neck damage, severe hip pain, or other orthopedic conditions.
Sequoia Animal Hospital’s orthopedic services are supported by veterinary experience in hip evaluation, FHO procedures, fracture repair, joint-injury care, and related orthopedic planning. Each pet is evaluated individually so our team can recommend the safest, most practical treatment path.
What Is FHO Surgery?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The femoral head is the “ball” at the top of the thigh bone, and the acetabulum is the “socket” in the pelvis. When the hip joint is severely painful, damaged, unstable, or cannot be restored safely, FHO surgery may be considered as a salvage procedure to reduce painful bone-on-bone contact and help the pet regain function.
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons overview of hip luxation lists femoral head ostectomy as one possible treatment option when restoring the hip is not feasible because of injury or poor hip conformation.
FHO is not the right choice for every pet with hip pain. The recommendation depends on your pet’s diagnosis, imaging, size, age, activity level, pain level, joint condition, and whether another treatment or referral would provide the safest outcome.
When Hip Surgery or FHO May Be Recommended
Hip surgery or FHO may be discussed when a dog or cat has a painful hip problem that is unlikely to improve with medication and activity restriction alone. Possible reasons for evaluation include:
- Hip luxation or dislocation
- Femoral head or femoral neck injury
- Hip pain after trauma, a fall, or a car accident
- Selected pelvic or hip-related fractures
- Severe hip arthritis or chronic hip pain
- Hip dysplasia cases that do not respond well to conservative care
- Reduced mobility, difficulty rising, or reluctance to jump, climb, or play
These signs and conditions can overlap with fractures, cruciate ligament injuries, patellar luxation, arthritis, neurologic problems, and other causes of limping. A veterinary exam and diagnostic imaging help determine the source of the problem.
FHO Surgery at Sequoia Animal Hospital
Sequoia Animal Hospital provides orthopedic evaluation and selected FHO surgery services from our hospital in Tulare. Before surgery is recommended, our team may discuss your pet’s symptoms, orthopedic exam findings, digital radiology, prior X-rays or records, medications, activity level, home environment, and recovery needs.
FHO and hip surgery planning require careful evaluation of the hip joint, pain level, imaging findings, patient size, overall health, anesthesia needs, and recovery expectations. Our team will explain what treatment is appropriate through Sequoia Animal Hospital and when referral is the safest option.
Each pet is evaluated individually. Some dogs and cats may be good candidates for treatment through Sequoia Animal Hospital, while complex injuries, unstable patients, or cases requiring more specialized equipment may need emergency care, referral to a board-certified surgical specialist, or another facility. If referral is the safest choice, our team will explain why and help guide the next step.
Hip Evaluation, X-Rays, and Surgery Planning
Hip pain can come from the joint itself, the pelvis, the spine, the knee, muscles, ligaments, or trauma affecting more than one area. Because of that, your pet’s visit may include an orthopedic exam, gait evaluation, pain assessment, X-rays, medication review, and discussion of prior medical records.
For pets that may need anesthesia or surgery, our team may also recommend in-house laboratory testing to evaluate internal health before a procedure. Additional diagnostics or referral may be recommended when the injury is complex or when another treatment option may be better for the pet.
The goal is to understand whether FHO surgery, another hip procedure, pain management, activity modification, referral, or a different treatment plan is the safest and most realistic option for your dog or cat.
Pain Control and Recovery After FHO Surgery
Comfort and movement planning are important before and after FHO surgery. Depending on your pet’s condition, our team may discuss pet pain management, medication instructions, safe handling, controlled activity, incision monitoring, recheck visits, and gradual return-to-movement recommendations.
FHO recovery is different from some orthopedic surgeries because the hip no longer works exactly like a normal ball-and-socket joint. Pets need careful home care, controlled movement, and follow-up guidance while the body adapts and the surrounding tissues help support comfortable function.
When appropriate, related services may support recovery and comfort, including diagnostic imaging, lab testing, pain management, and veterinary laser therapy as part of a veterinarian-directed care plan.
Related Orthopedic Services
Hip pain and back-leg limping can have more than one cause. Depending on your pet’s symptoms, our team may also discuss TPLO surgery, cruciate ligament repair, fracture repair, patellar luxation surgery, arthritis, or other orthopedic concerns.
You can also learn more about our full orthopedic surgery services, general pet surgery, and complete veterinary services for dogs and cats.
FHO Surgery for Dogs and Cats From Tulare and Nearby Communities
Advanced orthopedic procedures are not available at every general veterinary hospital. Sequoia Animal Hospital welcomes dogs and cats from Tulare and nearby Central Valley communities for hip pain, hip injuries, FHO surgery evaluation, limping, mobility problems, and planned orthopedic care.
Pet owners visit us from Tulare, Visalia, Farmersville, Tipton, Pixley, Exeter, Lindsay, Porterville, Corcoran, and other nearby communities.
For broader regional surgical information, visit our Central Valley Veterinary Surgery and Orthopedic Care page.
FHO Surgery Questions
Does Sequoia Animal Hospital offer FHO surgery for dogs and cats?
Sequoia Animal Hospital provides orthopedic evaluation and selected FHO surgery services for dogs and cats. The best treatment plan depends on your pet’s diagnosis, X-rays, pain level, mobility, overall health, and whether local treatment or referral is safest.
What does FHO stand for?
FHO stands for femoral head ostectomy. It is a hip surgery that removes the head and neck of the femur when the hip joint is painful, damaged, unstable, or cannot be restored safely.
What conditions can lead to FHO surgery?
FHO may be discussed for selected dogs and cats with hip luxation, femoral head or neck injury, painful hip damage, severe hip arthritis, certain trauma-related hip problems, or hip conditions that do not respond well to conservative care.
Does every pet with hip pain need surgery?
No. Hip pain can have many causes, and not every pet needs surgery. Some pets may need medication, activity changes, weight-management guidance, monitoring, or referral. A veterinary exam and X-rays help guide the recommendation.
What records are helpful for an FHO or hip surgery consultation?
If your pet has already been seen elsewhere, bring or request prior exam notes, X-rays, lab results, medication lists, and discharge instructions. These records can help our team understand the injury or diagnosis and plan the next step.
Do you see hip surgery patients from Visalia, Porterville, Corcoran, and nearby areas?
Yes. Sequoia Animal Hospital is located in Tulare and welcomes pet owners from Visalia, Porterville, Corcoran, Farmersville, Tipton, Pixley, Exeter, Lindsay, Strathmore, Terra Bella, Ducor, Allensworth, and nearby Central Valley communities.
Contact Sequoia Animal Hospital About FHO Surgery
If your dog or cat has hip pain, a hip injury, a suspected hip luxation, or has been told FHO surgery may be needed, contact Sequoia Animal Hospital in Tulare. Our team can help you understand what records, X-rays, lab results, or medication information may be helpful before an orthopedic evaluation.
Contact Sequoia Animal Hospital to ask about FHO surgery for dogs and cats in Tulare, CA, or return to our Orthopedic Surgery page.
Reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Deol and the Sequoia Animal Hospital veterinary team.