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01-22-2010, 12:34 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago, IL.
Posts: 26
| Luxating Patella Help :( Hi, I have two 5 month yorkie girls Maya and Lily. When I went for my first Vet visit when they were 10 weeks old, the vet told me that Maya has weak knee caps and we will have to watch for that, but Lily was fine. Now, Maya is not a jumper & she is scared to jump of any furniture but Lily jumps very high. Two days ago, I came home from work and Lily was limping - badly. She couldn't put her paw down, step on it and she was just walking on three legs. Next morning it was much better and she was able to walk, but I took her to see the vet anyways. The vet said that Lily has very weak knee caps in both her rear legs. They gave me a handout about the disease and said that they were born with this so it was passed along from the parents and they strongly advised me not to breed. The nurse was angry that the breeder keeps breeding puppies with this condition and doesn't say anything to the buyers. I had a dog named Lily from the same breeder who was almost 4 when she was hit by a car and I never had any problems so I decided to get my new girls from the same woman trusting her and thinking she is honest... Was I wrong. I mean what is a chance of buying two girls that have the same condition ??? Anyways, the vet didn't do xrays so I don't know what stage they are at. I see it is getting better but at least once a day I see her limping especially when they play together. Vet told me that it is something new so Lily doesn't really know what it is and she will figure out on her own how to pup it back in. I have doggy steps which I bought when I found out about Maya's weak knee caps when they were 10 weeks old. Other than that I don't know any preventive forms. The vet told me there is nothing I can do for them. They are not in pay because they don't cry, so they can live with it. She didn't do any xrays so I don't know how bad it is. I'm thinking it's probably the 1st or 2nd stage because she seems ok - only sometimes would raise the leg up for a minute or two and then she seems ok again. I researched online but it doesn't say if there are any supplements you can take like glucosamine. Can anyone tell me anything helpful? Did anyone went through anything like this or the surgery??? How much is a surgery like that? I'm looking at probably operating on both of them but as a last resort only. I want to do it the natural way first and see if there is anything I can do to make their life easier. It's really hard for me to see Lily limping because I lost my other dog 4 months ago and I would do anything to make them not go thru this. They are so small and innocent it makes me want to cry, and it makes me soooo angry at the breeder because she is causing pain not only for the puppies but also for the owners. :_( |
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01-22-2010, 01:13 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| I would contact the breeder to make her aware these puppies have LP. Did you have a contract or Health Guarantee? Depending on the laws in your state, you may have specific legal rights regarding the breeders responsibility.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
01-22-2010, 01:17 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies
Posts: 10,350
| I'm a firm believer in glucosamine. I give to Alex, my oldest, and it helps his arthritis so much. I've read where other members have noticed improvements after they started giving glucosamine to their lp pups. I use and recommend Cosequin.
__________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown |
01-22-2010, 01:21 PM | #4 |
Jada + Bogie = ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mayberry AKA smalltown usa
Posts: 24,078
| Jada has stage 1 LP and our vet has her on glucosamine. She gets it every morning right after her breakfast. She has never limped and she uses stairs to get on the couch and I never let her on the bed unless I am on the bed with her.
__________________ Michelle, Jada and Bogie |
01-22-2010, 01:39 PM | #5 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago, IL.
Posts: 26
| I sent the breeder a letter because I'm not able to speak with her - I'm just so angry I might say hurtful things to her. I don't have a health guarantee because she is not going to breed anymore. I trusted her since I had a very healthy puppy for almost 4 years that I bought from her, so it's also my fault that I didn't question more. Where can I get the glucosamine ? Would that be something over the counter or my vet would have that. I don't understand why the vet said there is nothing I can do and when I asked about supplements they said there is nothing out there that would help - but you know what if you don't try, you don't know right? Thanks guys. |
01-22-2010, 01:49 PM | #6 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD
Posts: 10,908
| I would definitely give her the supplements like glucosamine and such. I can say that at our first vet visit with Maggie, the vet said that her knees were a little loose but now at almost 2, she fine. Hot Rod went from a grade 1 to a grade 3 in a matter of months and had surgery on his knee. His knee is perfect now. Maybe the jumping aggravated it (?) I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point just yet. My vet told me that all pups probably have a litte loose knee at some point. Just be careful and watch your babies...keep them from jumping and such. Try and get stairs or ramps to keep them from jumping, this may help and give them time to get a bit stronger. Best of luck.
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01-22-2010, 01:59 PM | #7 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies
Posts: 10,350
| Quote:
__________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown | |
01-22-2010, 02:17 PM | #8 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 1,548
| I have been told to give the cosequin for cats. The dosage is just right for these little guys and I think less expensive.
__________________ Mary Ann A'Lea Yorkshire Terriers |
01-22-2010, 02:55 PM | #9 |
"& Seeger, too" Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 5,169
| Hi there! A couple of years ago, my little Shelby went thru LP surgery on both back knees. We went to an orthopedic veterinarian who had experience with this surgery. (I recommend finding an orthopedic vet if surgery is necessary). The surgery was costly.... 2000+ but I am including the physical therapy sessions that Shelby had following the surgery. Her knees are much better, but we still do glucosamine supplements. We decided that she should have the surgery because she had a higher grade of LP. It was a difficult decision, but by using an ortho vet that came with high recommendations, everything went well. Recuperation was a bit tough (we were home with her a lot the first week and she had to be crated if we were out of the room). I really think it depends what grade LP your Yorkie has. Best Wishes!
__________________ Happy Fall Y'all! 🎃 |
01-22-2010, 08:18 PM | #10 |
YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Armada, Michigan
Posts: 387
| I think you should get a second opinion. Try a vet recommended for treating small breeds. It'll get worse over time, not better. If you see her trembling, that's pain, not fear. Reesie had LP surgery at age 3, the right knee was stage 2 and the left was stage 4. She's just fine now and zips around like nothing was ever wrong. |
01-22-2010, 10:47 PM | #11 |
Loved by Maddie & Libby Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Dakota
Posts: 10,732
| Libby was diagnosed with grade 2 LP in both back legs and that was before she was a year old. I started giving her Flexicose and she has not had any problems in a long, long time and she turned 3 today. My vet told me to not let her get overweight because that would add stress on the knees. She is as fit as a fiddle and runs, jumps and plays with no problems. Flexicose is a liquid glucosamine complex and I think it's wonderful stuff. I used to get mine at the Flexicose site, but now I buy it on Ebay and get it much cheaper. Good luck with your little sweeties! I do think a glucosamine supplement would be a good thing to start with them. Hopefully you will have the same results as I have had with Libby!
__________________ Custom doggie dresses and vests Memory is a country where I can go to see your face - but where do I go when I miss your embrace? |
01-22-2010, 11:36 PM | #12 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 575
| I have no advise but good luck and I'm sure everything will be fine
__________________ Christel and furkids Peawee & Lucy Lou too!!! |
01-23-2010, 05:37 AM | #13 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Katy, Texas USA
Posts: 1,458
| Both of mine have LP. Buster has it in both legs, Maggie only one leg. The last time Buster was checked he was a grade 4. I have an orthopedic vet and he has told me surgery would not be necessary until it affected his quality of life. Sometimes he will carry one of his legs but not for long. The vet also said to not let him get over weight. He does good most of the time. Maggie chases him around the back yard at full speed and he never carries his leg. I am careful to not let him jump off of the furniture, etc. I have steps for him to get up on the bed. I would watch them and see if they are in pain a lot of the time or just now and then.
__________________ Jeanie, mom to Buster and Maggie |
01-23-2010, 06:23 AM | #14 | |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| Quote:
I am always happy to see that some vets are not jumping up and recommending surgery as the first option. Many of these pups can live out their lives without having LP surgery. My Maxwell lived for 10 years with his (longer, but that is how long I had him) and only on occasion would his knee give him a problem; but thankfully it was a short lived limp here and there. I have had others with what I refer to as "poppy knees" that you can feel in your hands when you pick them up and none have had to have surgery. There is always a risk of an ACL tear because of an unstable knee, but usually that can be avoided if they are not jumping. Important to keep weight off of them and not to let them jump on and off of furniture. I have also heard that glucosamine helps them but have not had first hand experience.
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01-23-2010, 08:02 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
| Here is a great article on luxating patellas: Medial Luxating Patella I'd suggest taking both of them to a board certified orthopedic vet for an evaluation. |
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