A Leg up- Knee Problems? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LifeAdventure · 02-24-2007, 07:20 PM

Hello all!!

My name is Amanda, and my husband and I have a great bundle of joy-- Theodore who is almost 8 months old. He is a big Yorkie (11 lbs!) but we love him. Very active, great personality and outgoing.

The last two weeks he has been holding his leg up when he stands still for an extended period of time. We thought maybe he jumped off the couch wrong (which he LOVES to do onto hardwood floors), but it has persisted. Today he was out playing for about three hours- running on asphalt, and then on grass with a handful of other dogs. He seemed ok, then started limping and not putting any weight on his back foot.

Before he was neutered the vet checked his knees and said that all was well-- we felt both knees and they feel about the same. He doesn't seem to be in too much pain either. I read a few other threads that seemed similar, so I guess they don't complain much. I know they can have patellar subluxation as a pretty common thing for a breed; though perhaps it is just a sprain?

We're assuming that we should just let it ride out for a day or so, then take him to the vet. We're from the Northern VA/DC area, so if anyone has suggestions we would appreciate it.

Thanks so much!!
Amanda, Rob & Theo

romeos mommy · 02-24-2007, 07:50 PM

my mom has a bigger yorkie with a hip problem with this same behavior.

Yorkiedaze · 02-24-2007, 08:19 PM

It does sound like luxating patella for sure. You wouldn't feel anything, but if you move the knee around, you may feel a grinding or "clicking". I would have your Vet. check his knees again.

LifeAdventure · 02-24-2007, 08:19 PM

Thanks! We're hoping it is not something too serious.... but we appreciate the advice.

What happened as the outcome with the dog in question? Treatment, should we go see an Ortho specialist?

Thanks!

Amanda

LifeAdventure · 02-26-2007, 05:10 AM

I called my normal vet, and she states that I need to take him to an Ortho specialist. The only problem is that she suggested a place near Baltimore-- which is waaaay too far. Anyone have suggestions for places in the Northern VA area?? I live in Arlington, but anywhere in VA or Washington DC is fine.

Let me know! Google is doing nothing for me.

Or if no suggestions, a good website or resorce to look under?

Theo is kind of hobbling-- he is at least putting a little weight on it, but not much. My husband and I have been watching him and making sure he doesn't hop down on it from any surfaces, etc... but still not getting much better.

Thanks for the suggestions all!
Amanda

LifeAdventure · 02-26-2007, 03:17 PM

We took him to a specialist in the VA area http://www.southpaws.com

We were impressed!

In the end, he was diagnosed with the following:

LEGG-PERTHES (LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES DISEASE or ASEPTIC NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD).

So... the little guy has surgery tomorrow morning. They are keeping him overnight, and then we get to pick him up on Wednesday. Luckily, that is my day off.

We're worried.... so say a prayer! We're going to contact the breeder as well, as it is a recessive gene obviously in their gene pool.

Yorkieluv · 02-26-2007, 05:07 PM

I don't know of an Ortho specialist in that area, but just wanted to say that positive thoughts are going your way. Hopefully, your baby's just fine!

ldenise · 02-26-2007, 06:33 PM

welcome to YT. I dont have any answers for you, I'm sorry. I wanted to bump this up for you. I will be watching for an up date tho. prayers comming your way for your little one.

rnnw62 · 02-26-2007, 08:02 PM

Personally, and this is just my opinion mind you...I would rather
first see evidence that it is in fact a luxating issue before I would
go to the lengths of the ortho specialist. We had something go on
here that sounds very similiar to what your experiencing and it was
not patella related at all. My guy was put on an anti inflamatory and
kept on lock down for about a week and it cleared up. If your guy
is like mine they think they are super man most of the time and even
watching them closely there are things that happen that we miss.
So, I would start off with the least expensive route and work my
way up. Either way I wish the best for your boy! I know how
troubling it is when they aren't themselves. Best wishes to you!

baileysmom31 · 02-27-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeAdventure

We took him to a specialist in the VA area http://www.southpaws.com

We were impressed!

In the end, he was diagnosed with the following:

LEGG-PERTHES (LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES DISEASE or ASEPTIC NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD).

So... the little guy has surgery tomorrow morning. They are keeping him overnight, and then we get to pick him up on Wednesday. Luckily, that is my day off.

We're worried.... so say a prayer! We're going to contact the breeder as well, as it is a recessive gene obviously in their gene pool.

Sorry your furbaby had to have surgery. Hopefully this will correct the problem for him. I'll keep you both in my prayers. Update us when you can

LifeAdventure · 02-28-2007, 04:08 AM

I was on pins and needles at work yesterday!!

The surgeon called me and said that it was a pretty severe case and rather advanced, given that he had only shown symptoms for a short time. She said that if we had not brought him in, the disease process would have kept going and would have been much worse. That being said, he got through the surgery fine-- just had some elevated liver enzymes. I get to call today to pick him up.

He will definitely need therapy; ironically, the Physical Therapist (who used to work on humans) worked at the outpatient facility I'm a therapist at before my time and is good friends with our senior PT. Since both my husband and I are OTs, we are hoping to take the animal techniques she teaches us and bring them home to do as much therapy as possible.

I have been reading up on the surgery, and am not sure about the success and what to expect, really. They told us it is a pretty successful surgery overall, and that we have to encourage him to move as much as possible and use the leg to maximize his strength and ROM. Does anyone else know of someone who had this surgery? (and by someone, I do mean of the canine influence).

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!! We appreciate it. I'll keep giving updates.

Amanda

suzysmitt · 02-28-2007, 05:01 AM

I'm sorry, but I'm nuts about taking my dogs to the vet if I expect the littlest thing is wrong with them.

yorkiemalt · 02-28-2007, 05:43 AM

So glad to hear the surgery went well!

Having just finished rehabbing our third knee in my house, I know the importance of pt. So many people don't realize getting their dogs to move and slowly increasing things in intensity is the key to recovery.

Sounds like you're going to do great! Hugs to Theo!

02-24-2007, 07:20 PM	#1
LifeAdventure YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 6	A Leg up- Knee Problems? Hello all!! My name is Amanda, and my husband and I have a great bundle of joy-- Theodore who is almost 8 months old. He is a big Yorkie (11 lbs!) but we love him. Very active, great personality and outgoing. The last two weeks he has been holding his leg up when he stands still for an extended period of time. We thought maybe he jumped off the couch wrong (which he LOVES to do onto hardwood floors), but it has persisted. Today he was out playing for about three hours- running on asphalt, and then on grass with a handful of other dogs. He seemed ok, then started limping and not putting any weight on his back foot. Before he was neutered the vet checked his knees and said that all was well-- we felt both knees and they feel about the same. He doesn't seem to be in too much pain either. I read a few other threads that seemed similar, so I guess they don't complain much. I know they can have patellar subluxation as a pretty common thing for a breed; though perhaps it is just a sprain? We're assuming that we should just let it ride out for a day or so, then take him to the vet. We're from the Northern VA/DC area, so if anyone has suggestions we would appreciate it. Thanks so much!! Amanda, Rob & Theo Last edited by LifeAdventure; 02-24-2007 at 07:23 PM.

02-24-2007, 07:50 PM	#2
romeos mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Voorhees, NJ Posts: 3,328	my mom has a bigger yorkie with a hip problem with this same behavior. __________________ Bernadette & Romeo

02-26-2007, 05:10 AM	#5
LifeAdventure YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 6	Ortho specialists in NOVA area? I called my normal vet, and she states that I need to take him to an Ortho specialist. The only problem is that she suggested a place near Baltimore-- which is waaaay too far. Anyone have suggestions for places in the Northern VA area?? I live in Arlington, but anywhere in VA or Washington DC is fine. Let me know! Google is doing nothing for me. Or if no suggestions, a good website or resorce to look under? Theo is kind of hobbling-- he is at least putting a little weight on it, but not much. My husband and I have been watching him and making sure he doesn't hop down on it from any surfaces, etc... but still not getting much better. Thanks for the suggestions all! Amanda

02-26-2007, 03:17 PM	#6
LifeAdventure YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 6	Update: Lcd We took him to a specialist in the VA area http://www.southpaws.com We were impressed! In the end, he was diagnosed with the following: LEGG-PERTHES (LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES DISEASE or ASEPTIC NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD). So... the little guy has surgery tomorrow morning. They are keeping him overnight, and then we get to pick him up on Wednesday. Luckily, that is my day off. We're worried.... so say a prayer! We're going to contact the breeder as well, as it is a recessive gene obviously in their gene pool.

02-26-2007, 05:07 PM	#7
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,827	I don't know of an Ortho specialist in that area, but just wanted to say that positive thoughts are going your way. Hopefully, your baby's just fine! __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

02-24-2007, 08:19 PM	#3
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 6,900	It does sound like luxating patella for sure. You wouldn't feel anything, but if you move the knee around, you may feel a grinding or "clicking". I would have your Vet. check his knees again.

02-26-2007, 06:33 PM	#8
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,690	welcome to YT. I dont have any answers for you, I'm sorry. I wanted to bump this up for you. I will be watching for an up date tho. prayers comming your way for your little one. __________________ Buckeye, Ahia, Tressie, Archie & LDenise Dogs are really people with short legs in fur coats

02-26-2007, 08:02 PM	#9
rnnw62 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,609	Personally, and this is just my opinion mind you...I would rather first see evidence that it is in fact a luxating issue before I would go to the lengths of the ortho specialist. We had something go on here that sounds very similiar to what your experiencing and it was not patella related at all. My guy was put on an anti inflamatory and kept on lock down for about a week and it cleared up. If your guy is like mine they think they are super man most of the time and even watching them closely there are things that happen that we miss. So, I would start off with the least expensive route and work my way up. Either way I wish the best for your boy! I know how troubling it is when they aren't themselves. Best wishes to you! __________________ Shelly, Teddy, Toby,Hanne & Indigo

02-28-2007, 04:08 AM	#11
LifeAdventure YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 6	Theo update #1 I was on pins and needles at work yesterday!! The surgeon called me and said that it was a pretty severe case and rather advanced, given that he had only shown symptoms for a short time. She said that if we had not brought him in, the disease process would have kept going and would have been much worse. That being said, he got through the surgery fine-- just had some elevated liver enzymes. I get to call today to pick him up. He will definitely need therapy; ironically, the Physical Therapist (who used to work on humans) worked at the outpatient facility I'm a therapist at before my time and is good friends with our senior PT. Since both my husband and I are OTs, we are hoping to take the animal techniques she teaches us and bring them home to do as much therapy as possible. I have been reading up on the surgery, and am not sure about the success and what to expect, really. They told us it is a pretty successful surgery overall, and that we have to encourage him to move as much as possible and use the leg to maximize his strength and ROM. Does anyone else know of someone who had this surgery? (and by someone, I do mean of the canine influence). Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!! We appreciate it. I'll keep giving updates. Amanda

02-28-2007, 05:01 AM	#12
suzysmitt Currently Suspended! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,150	I'm sorry, but I'm nuts about taking my dogs to the vet if I expect the littlest thing is wrong with them.

02-28-2007, 05:43 AM	#13
yorkiemalt Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,767	So glad to hear the surgery went well! Having just finished rehabbing our third knee in my house, I know the importance of pt. So many people don't realize getting their dogs to move and slowly increasing things in intensity is the key to recovery. Sounds like you're going to do great! Hugs to Theo!