luxating Patella

[ladyjane]

I have found that they walk on them right away. It is pretty amazing....

[Zoey Zendaya]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have a great orthopedic surgeon here in Houston. He is at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. For young pups, he does recommend surgery usually but not for older ones since the risk of a torn cruciate ligament is higher then and you could repair the knees and still end up with a tear requiring another surgery which is costly for the owner and traumatizing to the pup.

He is a good one for a second opinion. He will not ever recommend surgery unless it is really needed!


Here is the link to the hospital:


Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists


And here are links to a couple of articles he has written for use on the Yorkie Haven Rescue website:

Yorkie Haven Rescue - Patellar Luxation Info


Yorkie Haven Rescue - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear Info

Good reads! Thank you!
Makes one realize there is a lot more to it than you realize!
I'm trying to convince dh to go with the expensive ortho surgeon rather than regular vet surgeon cause they are cheaper

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Zoey Zendaya

Good reads! Thank you!
Makes one realize there is a lot more to it than you realize!
I'm trying to convince dh to go with the expensive ortho surgeon rather than regular vet surgeon cause they are cheaper

Ask him if he would go to his general practitioner for knee surgery. Maybe that will make him think about it.

There are some vets who are good surgeons, but I opt always for the specialists. They do them day in and day out. I have seen people at Gulf Coast after a general vet messed up their pup's knees or hips.

[Zoey Zendaya]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Ask him if he would go to his general practitioner for knee surgery. Maybe that will make him think about it.

There are some vets who are good surgeons, but I opt always for the specialists. They do them day in and day out. I have seen people at Gulf Coast after a general vet messed up their pup's knees or hips.

Thank you! You made my day!
Poor baby can't sit square OR sit up pretty now

[ladyjane]

Awww poor baby. Keep us posted!

[Zoey Zendaya]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Awww poor baby. Keep us posted!

I started a new thread asking opinions on knee surgery ......

[Zoey Zendaya]

Originally Posted by Jbj23

Hi. I have an 8 month old yorkie, Phoebe, who has 2 laxating patellas. We were referred to a surgeon from our family vet. We saw the surgeon yesterday. She classified Phoebes patellas each as a grade 3+ on a scale of 1-4, 4 being the worst. She recommended having both knees done. I am just so leary of doing the surgery. I guess, I am looking to see if there are people who have had a 3+ and not fixed them? If so, does it worse quickly or do they do relatively ok? Also, if you are a parent of a yorkie who did both legs at one time, how did that go? Success rate? It is just so much to take in..... Thank you for any advice and suggestions. I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
The mom of a collie, 2 yorkies, a cat & 6 chicks

Sounds like your on the right track...Things have been going so fast for our 3 yr old Zoey the past few weeks what with getting second opinions and finally ending up with an ortho specialist who said we should do both. I already resigned myself to that . Same healing for both, the less bad knee would take all the workload while the repaired knee healed if we didn't do both, plus it is way cheaper ..AND it is a good time of the year what with no holidays to work around and she can be outdoors to pass the time.....we brought her home yesterday and she is standing to pee and hobbles around a little at a time....is on pain meds and anti inflammatory s....eats good too which I was worried about.
Ace bandage from top of thigh to and around foot to keep swelling down...prognosis , good, both knees equally bad with some wearing down of the cartilage...I just found it hard to accept it was getting worse and the risk of damage as time goes on is inevitable in so many ways..Even at age 3....
YES there is a lot to learn but the people on here are fabulous and are really informative....that means a lot....thank you all!
Good luck

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Zoey Zendaya

Sounds like your on the right track...Things have been going so fast for our 3 yr old Zoey the past few weeks what with getting second opinions and finally ending up with an ortho specialist who said we should do both. I already resigned myself to that . Same healing for both, the less bad knee would take all the workload while the repaired knee healed if we didn't do both, plus it is way cheaper ..AND it is a good time of the year what with no holidays to work around and she can be outdoors to pass the time.....we brought her home yesterday and she is standing to pee and hobbles around a little at a time....is on pain meds and anti inflammatory s....eats good too which I was worried about.
Ace bandage from top of thigh to and around foot to keep swelling down...prognosis , good, both knees equally bad with some wearing down of the cartilage...I just found it hard to accept it was getting worse and the risk of damage as time goes on is inevitable in so many ways..Even at age 3....
YES there is a lot to learn but the people on here are fabulous and are really informative....that means a lot....thank you all!
Good luck

Oh! She had her surgery!! So happy to hear it is going well.

Speedy recovery to Zoey!

[Zoey Zendaya]

It's nice to know we can come here to lean on a few shoulders when times get hard and things get a little overwhelming. It's really appreciated. That's why I like to give back to those in the same way to relate my experiences.
Zoey IS doing good during the day but boy last night was rough! I hardy got any sleep! She was waking me up with a scream I have NEVER heard in all her 3 years! Bout every hour! I didn't think it pain because for one she did so good all day...and two she didn't go for her leg wasn't in distress just licky licky for my face SO glad to see me! Made me think she was having nightmares or traumatized! And yes I called the vet at 7:00 am and was thinking of 4:00 am!
Sheesh....they said bring her in we will look at her but she's ok during the day! And it's not physical....I asked if anything happen to her to traumatized her ...like they are going to tell me but gee whiz !Zoey did not like the vet techs and she is NOT like that..and I was told she was a little snappy! Well if a dog feels threatened yeh look out, but I had never seen her lie that. Now. Have to figure out if I want them to take her sutures out or my reg. vet

[ladyjane]

What meds is she on? Maybe that is what caused it?

And, yes, this is an awesome forum!

[Zoey Zendaya]

Torbugesic syrup , anti inflammatory twice a day 1.2 ml
Metacam 1.5 mg for pain every 12 hours
Last night I changed her to a longer firmer bed in same area...she happily snuggled right in and fell asleep....boom 15 min. later she woke screaming in a panic frantically lookin for me. So I brought her little crate up she stays in most all day and she snuggled in there on floor beside where she could see me.Slept all night ....

[ladyjane]

Torb can make them a bit goofy. It is not an anti inflammatory...the Metacam is. Torb is a pretty powerful pain medication. That may be what is going on with her at night. You might want to ask if you can switch her to Tramadol.

[Zoey Zendaya]

I am the one who got those mixed up !
I ran back in to look at her discharge papers....how'd I DO that!
You are right...still suggest something else?
I was wondering about the every 12 hours....seems like a long time for another dose.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Zoey Zendaya

I am the one who got those mixed up !
I ran back in to look at her discharge papers....how'd I DO that!
You are right...still suggest something else?
I was wondering about the every 12 hours....seems like a long time for another dose.

Oh NO, don't give Metacam more often than prescribed!! It should be given with food. It is an anti inflammatory and can cause GI bleeding. Usually it is given once/day. I am assuming he cut the dose in half to make it twice/day

She probably won't need any pain meds after 3 - 4 days. Usually the Metacam will hold them. BUT, if you want to give her meds for a longer period, I suggest asking for Tramadol instead of the Torb. I find it does not make them as drugged up.

[ladyjane]

I am trying to figure out this dose of Metacam. How much does Zoey weigh?