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12-08-2012, 02:38 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: glen burnie, md usa
Posts: 9
| luxating patella Harley has had this for awhile now, not sure at which stage it was or is. Occasionally he would hold his rear leg up for a few minutes, he would stretch it out and then be okay. I'm assuming it would snap the knee cap back into place. The vet never seemed too concerned just a "keep his weight down and exercise". Over the weekend I was away and my husband said he jumped off our bed and ever since he hasn't been using his rear right leg. It's been 2 days now, I called the vet this morning and he said since he isn't acting in pain, no wimpering or anything when you touch it, to just see how he does today and tomorrow and on Monday if he is still limping to bring him in for an exam. The more I research luxating patella the scarier it is for me! He is 9 years old so I'm worried to put him through a surgery that may or may not work. If he was younger I wouldn't even think about paying the astronomical cost but given his age and arthritis setting in it makes me nervous to put him through that surgery and recovery for a maybe. I only assume the vet will say he needs surgery because I stumbled on a few youtube videos of dogs pre-surgery and it's just like Harley's. Any help would be appreciated... |
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12-08-2012, 10:15 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| If it doesn't go back in after 3 days, and your vet says surgery... I'd find a vet that practices VOM and get a second opinion. Even after surgery, dogs that continue to jump on and off furniture and overextend themselves can still have problems.
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12-08-2012, 10:41 PM | #3 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY
Posts: 6,582
| You could do everything possible to keep him from jumping off furniture. Many people buy pet steps so the dog can use the steps instead of jumping. I'm sure he would much prefer that to the pain it must cause to jump. Although LP is a genetic disorder it does get worse as the dog ages and the connective tissue wears away. Did your vet give you a diagnosis as to the degree of severity of the deformity he has in his knees? If not you may consider seeing a vet that has experience in treating the problem. The surgery can be done at any age but of course you are going to see a decrease in his function as he gets older. It is very difficult at times to really know the degree of pain your pet is in. If he has been suffering from this for a long time he may have just built up a tolerance to the pain. Not meaning it does not hurt but he has leaned to live with it as best he can. |
12-08-2012, 10:48 PM | #4 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| With his history it is very possible that he has a torn ligament. It may not be, but I would be suspect for sure since he has had problems with LP for a while. It is best to take him in for an exam. Just because he is not wimpering does not mean he is not in pain. The fact that he is not using it says he is. Usually a vet will prescribe an anti inflammatory for a week or two to see if a pup gets relief. Yes, the surgery is expensive and especially so if you use a board certified surgeon, but well worth it in the end if he needs it. They do recover from the surgery and do well afterwards in most cases. He is not too old for a surgical repair.
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12-09-2012, 07:16 AM | #5 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: glen burnie, md usa
Posts: 9
| The only reason I say he isnt in pain is because when the vet asked if he wimpers or pulls away when you touch his leg. Like I said hes been diagnosed with this for awhile now, back in 2008, so I'm sure he has adjusted to some degree of pain associated with this. It breaks my heart to watch him deal with this and his arthritis on top of it. Back in 2008 the vet said he was at a stage 2 in his leg that is hurt now, the other leg he didn't say much about. We had the steps for our bed and completely ignored them , we worked with him to use them and he completely knew how and everything just would jump anyways. Majority of the time I would pick him up and put him down but sometimes he would jump before I got the chance to. Our couch he cant jump up or down on because its hardwood floor without a rug under it, so he wont do it. Luckily we are in a one story house with only 2 steps down to go outside so that has been a big help for him. |
12-09-2012, 09:52 AM | #6 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: c
Posts: 427
| Hi. My boy, Columbo just turned 9 in October. If Harley doesn't walk on the leg the next day, then he likely tore his ACL this time. Columbo had LP and never had any problems until earlier this year. We had a couple episodes late winter - early spring where he started limping and was walking on it again the next day. In April, it happened again and he didn't get better after a couple days. This time it was what the surgeon called the "catastrophic event" and he tore his ACL. If it's just LP or just a torn ACL, many times they will prescribe rest and physical therapy. But if a dog tears his ACL and has LP, he has to have surgery for both. In August, it happened to his other knee and back to the surgeon we went. I can tell you that his recovery on the first leg was fast. The second leg took a couple months longer than the first, but he has recovered well and although it was expensive, it was well worth it. I have absolutely no regrets and it was the right thing to do. He is basically back to normal now, although we try to limit any "explosive" movements as he is still working back up to pre-injury strength. A yorkie's life expectancy is 14-15 years. They often live longer than that and I hope Columbo does. If Harley needs surgery, I recommend you go to an orthopedic surgeon like Columbo did. It looks like you are 3 hours from me, so if you don't have one in your area, mine can refer you to one or you could drive (many do) to him. Virginia Veterinary Specialists, Dr. Kevin Stiffler. He is absolutely fabulous. Dr. Wheeler is great, also. If you have any other questions, let me know. I have a lot of information having just gone through this and especially since our dogs are the same age. Last edited by bobohyde; 12-09-2012 at 09:56 AM. |
12-09-2012, 09:52 AM | #7 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Not using a leg means pain. You need to see a Orthopedic specialist not your regular vet for this and they can let you know what they recommend.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
12-09-2012, 10:12 AM | #8 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: c
Posts: 427
| Also, when Columbo first visited the regular vet for his leg, he did an exam and took xrays, then diagnosed luxating patella. He said he could do the surgery (he had done it a dozen or so times) or he could refer me to a surgeon. My regular vet is wonderful, but he had no problem with me if I chose the surgeon, which he recommended even though it was a little more expensive. When the surgeon saw him and his xrays, he saw that Columbo had also torn his ACL, which the regular vet didn't catch. The surgeon has done thousands of these surgeries and I attribute that to why Columbo breezed through it and recovered so well. He explained everything, the surgery, all the options and outcomes. I only wish we humans got the expert health care my dog got! Last edited by bobohyde; 12-09-2012 at 10:15 AM. |
12-09-2012, 10:32 AM | #9 | |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: glen burnie, md usa
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12-09-2012, 12:04 PM | #10 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California
Posts: 329
| I agree with the above posts. I just had my 11 year old in for his second ACL surgery in September. The first one was 4 years ago, when he also had both patellas fixed. The first thing my orthopedic surgeon said when he saw him hopping on 3 legs was "he's in pain". Never once did he cry. So, when he started hopping this last time, I bypassed my vet, and went directly to the OS. I even told them he had torn his other ACL before they examined him. Sure enough, when they got in there, he had a complete tear of the ACL, and a small tear of the medial Miniscus. Although I've spent a lot of money on my "old" dog, I'd do it again and again. That's what I signed up for when I brought him home 11 years ago! He's my baby with bionic knees. Definitely recommend going with the Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Good luck, and keep us updated. Last edited by Toby'sMama; 12-09-2012 at 12:05 PM. |
12-09-2012, 01:06 PM | #11 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: glen burnie, md usa
Posts: 9
| We aren't in a financial situation for a costly surgery. Like many families we are living paycheck to paycheck and working our asses off to get by. I'm hoping I can get some answers from the vet that don't involve surgery. We keep him up to date on shots, groomed and he eats great food. We do everything we can within our means to take care of him. Expensive surgery isn't feasible for us right now. |
12-09-2012, 01:18 PM | #12 |
I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies
Posts: 18,980
| Mikki has LP. Here recently we had a similar thing happen. She jumped off my chair and then held her leg up. I confined her and wouldn't let her be very active. We let it "rest" Within 24 hours she was well. However, if she hadn't been better we would have headed to the vet. Have you tried "resting" it?
__________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace! |
12-09-2012, 01:22 PM | #13 | |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: glen burnie, md usa
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12-09-2012, 01:47 PM | #14 | |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
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You are right, things are tough for everyone, but he sounds like he needs medical attention and there is always a way if there is a will. Good luck
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12-09-2012, 01:56 PM | #15 | |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: glen burnie, md usa
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