Pixie's Surgery

[Lopsi]

I don't really know where this thread goes as she's not sick, it's not an emergency, and she's not "hurt" per se, but...

Some History:
Our vet diagnossed Pixie with luxating platellas in her 2 back legs and suggested that we discuss surgery soon.
I got Pixie at Petland (before I knew better), and she came with a 1 year warranty for genetic defects. So I called Petland and inquired about the warranty. They basically said that this particular condition isn't possible in their dogs because they screen them but if I wanted to push the issue, I could take her to their vet for an opinion and if he agreed to the need for surgery, then Petland will pay for it.

So I made an appointment with their vet. I saw one of their Drs last week, and she felt and said "Oh, this dog needs surgery immediately!" Well, then Petland threw a fit and said that she had to be "graded" before they would consider paying for it.

Essentially:
Grade 1 - they don't care.
Grade 2 - they may care in the future.
Grade 3 - Ok, we'll pay for surgery.

Today:
SOoooo I had to take her BACK to their vet again today to be "graded"... he felt of her and I asked about the grade to know what Petland was going to say. He informed me that she's a Grade 4 and asked how she gets around. The vet is shocked that she's capable of walking at all...

Now, Petland's vet has over approved the Grade 3 necessity for surgery, but he had to call Petland and I guess convince them what he found.
He said he will be calling me back later today or tomorrow to get her set up for surgery as soon as possible.

On the up side, their vet is on our side. If all goes well, Pixie gets her surgery, and Petland pays.

I'll keep ya'll updated - please keep my Pixie in your prayers.

[trini&coco]

You are in our thoughts

[JCarlson2004]

Awww poor Pixie. Wow, grade 4 is really bad ... and she has it in BOTH back legs. The poor little angel must be in pain. Give her get well hugs and kisses from me and my crew and PLEASE keep us updated on her surgery.

[alaskayorkie]

OMG, your your pup. Good for you for being so persistent and not letting them give you the runaround. The good news is, I've heard good things about that surgery, though BOTH could make for an awkward recovery. Good luck to Pixie and your family!

[ARCHIE]

Poor little Pixie. Both legs, that's terrible.
I am happy that their vet agreed with yours.
That could have held things up for her had he not.
I am so happy Petland is paying.
Prayer's coming for your little one to come through surgery with
flying colors.

[Lopsi]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

OMG, your your pup. Good for you for being so persistent and not letting them give you the runaround. The good news is, I've heard good things about that surgery, though BOTH could make for an awkward recovery. Good luck to Pixie and your family!

Oh no, no - they actually have to do TWO surgeries and put her down TWICE and do one leg at a time (Going to ask to get her fixed during one of them, too - no point in putting her out AGAIN to fix her). I kinda wondered the same thing and the vet (in good humor) was like, "What is she going to walk on if she can't use any of her legs?" Well, duh, I don't guess I thought about that But that's why they're the vets, and I'm just a Yorkie Mommie

[Yorkiedaze]

My Zada had both knees operated on at the same time. She had a grade 3. Generally when they get to a grade 4 it's too late for surgery, so I hope your baby does ok. It's a long 8 weeks recovery, so don't let the puppy run around at all. Put her in an expen with crate attached and a wee-wee pad down. Put sometime very soft for her to walk on. In about a month, take her out in the grass on a leash so she doesn't run.

[TLC]

My Roxy had both her rear legs done at the same time too! All went well, although after her 6 week check up, it was determined that her one leg didn't stablize. So, we had to have another surgery.

Now she is a NEW girl!

P.S. Go to the 'search' here on yorkietalk.
Type in Luxating Patella
You will find many more threads that go into more detail about LP surgery and recovery. There's lots to read and know about it, this way you can be prepared for the 'long' recovery, exspecially since you have to do it 2x
Best of Luck!

[Lopsi]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

My Zada had both knees operated on at the same time. She had a grade 3. Generally when they get to a grade 4 it's too late for surgery, so I hope your baby does ok. It's a long 8 weeks recovery, so don't let the puppy run around at all. Put her in an expen with crate attached and a wee-wee pad down. Put sometime very soft for her to walk on. In about a month, take her out in the grass on a leash so she doesn't run.

Actually, the surgeon saw her today. He felt of her and said that he thinks he can complete the surgery fairly easily and that it shouldn't be too bad. I don't know anything about recovery yet though. But he thinks it's not too late for surgery and he's certain he can do it successfully.

As far as recovery, once she recovers one leg, then we have to do the other... yikes. It's going to be a rough few months I think.

[Lopsi]

Originally Posted by TLC

My Roxy had both her rear legs done at the same time too! All went well, although after her 6 week check up, it was determined that her one leg didn't stablize. So, we had to have another surgery.

Now she is a NEW girl!

P.S. Go to the 'search' here on yorkietalk.
Type in Luxating Patella
You will find many more threads that go into more detail about LP surgery and recovery. There's lots to read and know about it, this way you can be prepared for the 'long' recovery, exspecially since you have to do it 2x
Best of Luck!

Thanks - I definitely intend to do that. This is usually the first place I start researching for anything Yorkie related!

[yorkiemalt]

In a way it's good that he's doing both legs seperately. It tells me he is going to do the more involved surgery which gives her a way better chance of never having problems again.

There is a "quick" version of the surgery which only requires deepening the groove and tightening the ligament. Chances of reluxation are quite high but the benefit to this surgery is it cost alot less and recovery time is reduced.

I only just finished rehabbing my yorkie's knee. My maltese had both done seperately last year and then Phoebi had to have her's done right after Christmas.

Her freedom date is April 2. One year to the day that Chan had his first surgery.

[Lopsi]

Originally Posted by yorkiemalt

In a way it's good that he's doing both legs seperately. It tells me he is going to do the more involved surgery which gives her a way better chance of never having problems again.

There is a "quick" version of the surgery which only requires deepening the groove and tightening the ligament. Chances of reluxation are quite high but the benefit to this surgery is it cost alot less and recovery time is reduced.

I only just finished rehabbing my yorkie's knee. My maltese had both done seperately last year and then Phoebi had to have her's done right after Christmas.

Her freedom date is April 2. One year to the day that Chan had his first surgery.

He said he's going to cut a groove, move the kneecap, tighten the ligaments, move the bone, etc. I admit I had to run rather quickly, so I didn't get to stay and listen to everything he said (hubby did). He did say it was going to be pretty "complicated" but it wouldn't be too "difficult" and there shouldn't be any problems. He also said she will be absolutely unable to use her leg at all for a while, hence having to do them separately.

[chattiesmom]

I know it goes without saying but here goes anyway.....

Please keep us posted -- I'll keep you and Pixie in my prayers.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Lopsi

Oh no, no - they actually have to do TWO surgeries and put her down TWICE and do one leg at a time (Going to ask to get her fixed during one of them, too - no point in putting her out AGAIN to fix her). I kinda wondered the same thing and the vet (in good humor) was like, "What is she going to walk on if she can't use any of her legs?" Well, duh, I don't guess I thought about that But that's why they're the vets, and I'm just a Yorkie Mommie

Oh, duh, that makes sense. What an ordeal. Poor baby.

[Sweetums]

Poor little baby, it sounds like a tough road ahead. I feel so badly for the pain she will have to endure (and probably is enduring right now). Our babygirl was just spayed on Monday (and had her baby canines pulled). She was in awful condition and we had to take her to the ER to stay overnight. She didn't even lift her head when I picked her up to take her over there and usually she is crazy happy when she sees me. They gave her two pain injections during the night, but she still just curled up in my arms and whimpered all the way home when we arrrived next morning to get her. She was sick to her stomach too poor baby.

The dr gave us pain pills to be administered every 8 hours which was woefully inadequate imo, tho we didn't want to poison her. But she was obviously in pain. She would look at us with this look in her eyes that just said "Help me! and all she wanted to do was be held (by me since I'm the one she goes to when in pain) and soothed and she would shiver all over (the dr. said that is a sign of being in pain) and get down and pace and then want back up in my arms over and over. She would start this behavior like a couple of hours before she was due for another pill and we just felt so bad that we couldn't give her more than her allotted pill.

So I sincerely hope when your baby has surgery that you ask for plenty of pain pills at the highest dose possible. It's heart rending to see them suffering.

Another suggestion for you, since your baby has to have two surgeries, it might be worth it to look into those little wheeled contraptions you strap to their hind end so they can get around somewhat while they are recouperating.