Oct. 15, 2026
By Jens Odegaard
Oregon State University is now offering canine total hip replacement surgery for dogs suffering from hip conditions that cannot be effectively managed through medication or rehabilitation.
The THR program at the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital is led by Dr. Shantibhushan “Shanti” Jha, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, and supported by the hospital’s multidisciplinary specialty team. THR removes a diseased or damaged joint and replaces it with a durable artificial hip designed to restore mobility and eliminate pain.
“A hip replacement is not just about fixing a joint. It is about giving a dog back the freedom to run, climb stairs and play without pain, and giving families back the companion they remember,” Jha said.
THR may be a good fit for dogs suffering from:
- Hip dysplasia with painful arthritis.
- Chronic hip pain or lameness despite medication and rehabilitation.
- Select hip fractures and other hip joint diseases.
“Many dogs in the Pacific Northwest with severe hip dysplasia or end-stage hip arthritis are managed on pain medication for years, often because a definitive surgical option is not close by,” Jha said. “Total hip replacement offers these dogs a permanent solution. It removes the source of pain rather than masking it.”
Oregon State’s THR program utilizes the Swiss-engineered KYON Zurich Cementless Total Hip Replacement System. According to the company, the system has been used in more than 20,000 dogs over the past 20 years and is now in its sixth generation.
"Total hip replacement is a procedure where planning, precision and experience matter,” Jha said. “Every case begins with careful patient selection and detailed preoperative planning, and it continues with close follow-up long after surgery. The implant is fixed with locking screws and allows bone to grow into it, giving a stable, long-lasting joint for small to giant breed dogs.”
The addition of the THR program brings a needed service to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, where options for the procedure are limited.
“Bringing this program to Oregon State means that families in our region can access this level of care close to home, at a hospital they already know and trust,” said Jha. “For dogs, that means a return to a normal, active life. For clients, it means access to a complete university hospital, with anesthesia, imaging, critical care and rehabilitation under one roof, and a team that walks them through every stage from consultation to recovery. For referring veterinarians, it means a clear pathway for their hip patients. We will work alongside them, keep them updated throughout, and return their patients to them for ongoing care.”
Kendra Chalkley’s dog, Iris, recently underwent THR surgery at Oregon State.
“I feel good about having this intense surgery done at an educational institution where I know their very top people will be focusing on doing everything right and there will be a lot of eyes on taking care of my girl,” Chalkley said. “The team is lovely. They've been constantly available for even the slightest concern.”
Kathy Leary, whose dog Ginger also recently underwent the procedure said the experience was overwhelmingly positive.
“[The team] provided very helpful information before the surgery about the condition of her hips and what alternatives there were, and what would be involved during the recovery; they have also responded promptly to questions during the recovery,” Leary said. “I would highly recommend the hip replacement surgery program at OSU.”
To learn more about Oregon State’s THR program, schedule a consultation or refer a patient, visit beav.es/K9THR.
