Knee surgery - YorkieTalk.com Forums

daisysis · 10-28-2007, 07:03 PM

I have been notice a change in Sissy walking.
She loves to walk and she would stop or slow way down and whipper
Took her into the vet and her knees pop out of place
He said it is common in small dogs
Ok surgery is Nov 20th just one knee for now
I not real sure about this..Sissy quilty of life can be good the way she is
I can carry her and we have already doggie steps and ramps pretty much every where.
Doc says she is not in pain.
I am just spooked about this..Do not know why ?
just have a uneasy feeling messing around with her knees
She is only two yr
Anyone else baby have had this surgery??

hha · 10-29-2007, 04:04 AM

Luxating patella is very common in yorkies..When I had to take one of my dogs in for it a few years back, my vet said he wouldn't do the surgery, that you needed a specialist to do them..good luck with your baby

jencar98 · 10-29-2007, 05:24 AM

I would be hesitant to let her have the surgery, unless the LP is really affecting her quality of life.

BamaFan121s · 10-29-2007, 06:31 AM

Unless it is really causing her discomfort, I would not have the surgery. Some Yorkies live their entire lives with minor LP and it never effects them to the point of needing it.

pepe mint · 10-29-2007, 05:42 PM

i'm sorry she is having troubles. I really hope the surgery is not needed and she can feel better very soon!!!!!!!!!

abbie's mom · 10-29-2007, 05:52 PM

If you don't have peace about this, and if Sissy doesn't seem in pain, then I would definitely put it off. Granted, it may be necessary one day - but, I believe you'll know when the time comes.

TLC · 10-29-2007, 06:23 PM

LP doesn't fix itself.

My advice is to see an Ortho Specialist. They will tell you what Grade LP she has. There are only 4 Grades (IMO - Grade 3 and 4 should have surgery).

The patella (knee) is in constant luxation, thus wearing away the vital cartilage in the knee area. This cartilage can never be repaired or replaced. Once worn down, you will have bone rubbing on bone - and YES that is painful.

I wouldn't have 'any old Vet' do the surgery though. LP surgery in these tiny tiny dogs can be tricky and once the surgeon is inside the knee you really want to have a skilled and experienced ortho surgeon to preform any crafty procedures necessary.

Do a search here on YT for: Luxating Patella

You'll find lots and lots of posts! I have 2 dogs with LP - Roxy had surgery and she is a brand new girl. TJ's LP is very mild, but if it progresses he will be at the Ortho Specialist for his LP surgery too.

Best of Luck!

daisysis · 10-30-2007, 01:46 PM

Boy!! I just re-read my post I can't spell worth a lick!!!
Thank you for all your advice I think I will do alot of info searching on
this. LP..
The vet told me this is more important then getting her spayed right now.
I just do not know what to do right now???

donatella80 · 10-30-2007, 03:02 PM

I ran into friends today at the post office. Their Yorkie, Abby, is 9 and had grade 4 Luxating Patellas on both back knees. She had surgery 3 months and 2 months ago (both knees, 1 month apart) and they told me that she's like a puppy again. As TLC said, find a good surgeon that you're confident with and do the best thing for your baby!

beachgirl · 11-24-2007, 03:50 PM

i am in the same boat.. my dog's surgery is scheduled for nov 29. she is almost four and has had the limp, walking on 3 legs for 2 weeks and has been on anti-inflammatory meds. i have decided to go with the surgery, because the vet said the muscles can atrophy and then the leg is completely useless. just have to make the decision and pray for good results. from what i have read, it is a successful surgery and does help the dog.

Ladymom · 11-24-2007, 03:59 PM

What grade did your vet give her luxation? If it's a 3 or 4, she needs the surgery as it will only get worse and she will develop arthritis, too. Waiting will only make the surgery more difficult and expensive and can't reverse arthritis.

It's always a good idea to consult an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion.

daisysis · 11-28-2007, 02:56 AM

I have had to postpone the knee surgery because of money right now. even though are vet is really nice about makeing payments.
but i do not remember the grade her knees...I will get this done before summer and our walking start more often agian...i will not let my baby suffer he says she is in no pain

Yorkiekids · 11-28-2007, 05:56 AM

I just noticed the date on this, and hope all went well.

10-28-2007, 07:03 PM	#1
daisysis YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 1,074	Knee surgery I have been notice a change in Sissy walking. She loves to walk and she would stop or slow way down and whipper Took her into the vet and her knees pop out of place He said it is common in small dogs Ok surgery is Nov 20th just one knee for now I not real sure about this..Sissy quilty of life can be good the way she is I can carry her and we have already doggie steps and ramps pretty much every where. Doc says she is not in pain. I am just spooked about this..Do not know why ? just have a uneasy feeling messing around with her knees She is only two yr Anyone else baby have had this surgery?? __________________ Sissy..Lilly..Maggie..Lucy

10-29-2007, 05:24 AM	#3
jencar98 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 6,435 Blog Entries: 3	I would be hesitant to let her have the surgery, unless the LP is really affecting her quality of life. __________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~

10-29-2007, 05:42 PM	#5
pepe mint YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 11,145	i'm sorry she is having troubles. I really hope the surgery is not needed and she can feel better very soon!!!!!!!!! __________________ Anyone who does not know what soap tastes like has never washed a dog

10-29-2007, 05:52 PM	#6
abbie's mom Lovin' 2 Girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,593 Blog Entries: 4	If you don't have peace about this, and if Sissy doesn't seem in pain, then I would definitely put it off. Granted, it may be necessary one day - but, I believe you'll know when the time comes. __________________ Ask Abi

10-29-2007, 06:23 PM	#7
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	LP doesn't fix itself. My advice is to see an Ortho Specialist. They will tell you what Grade LP she has. There are only 4 Grades (IMO - Grade 3 and 4 should have surgery). The patella (knee) is in constant luxation, thus wearing away the vital cartilage in the knee area. This cartilage can never be repaired or replaced. Once worn down, you will have bone rubbing on bone - and YES that is painful. I wouldn't have 'any old Vet' do the surgery though. LP surgery in these tiny tiny dogs can be tricky and once the surgeon is inside the knee you really want to have a skilled and experienced ortho surgeon to preform any crafty procedures necessary. Do a search here on YT for: Luxating Patella You'll find lots and lots of posts! I have 2 dogs with LP - Roxy had surgery and she is a brand new girl. TJ's LP is very mild, but if it progresses he will be at the Ortho Specialist for his LP surgery too. Best of Luck! __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

10-29-2007, 04:04 AM	#2
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	Luxating patella is very common in yorkies..When I had to take one of my dogs in for it a few years back, my vet said he wouldn't do the surgery, that you needed a specialist to do them..good luck with your baby

10-29-2007, 06:31 AM	#4
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	Unless it is really causing her discomfort, I would not have the surgery. Some Yorkies live their entire lives with minor LP and it never effects them to the point of needing it.

10-30-2007, 01:46 PM	#8
daisysis YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 1,074	Boy!! I just re-read my post I can't spell worth a lick!!! Thank you for all your advice I think I will do alot of info searching on this. LP.. The vet told me this is more important then getting her spayed right now. I just do not know what to do right now??? __________________ Sissy..Lilly..Maggie..Lucy

10-30-2007, 03:02 PM	#9
donatella80 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 109	I ran into friends today at the post office. Their Yorkie, Abby, is 9 and had grade 4 Luxating Patellas on both back knees. She had surgery 3 months and 2 months ago (both knees, 1 month apart) and they told me that she's like a puppy again. As TLC said, find a good surgeon that you're confident with and do the best thing for your baby!

11-24-2007, 03:50 PM	#10
beachgirl YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 3	knee surgery i am in the same boat.. my dog's surgery is scheduled for nov 29. she is almost four and has had the limp, walking on 3 legs for 2 weeks and has been on anti-inflammatory meds. i have decided to go with the surgery, because the vet said the muscles can atrophy and then the leg is completely useless. just have to make the decision and pray for good results. from what i have read, it is a successful surgery and does help the dog.

11-24-2007, 03:59 PM	#11
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	What grade did your vet give her luxation? If it's a 3 or 4, she needs the surgery as it will only get worse and she will develop arthritis, too. Waiting will only make the surgery more difficult and expensive and can't reverse arthritis. It's always a good idea to consult an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

11-28-2007, 02:56 AM	#12
daisysis YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 1,074	I have had to postpone the knee surgery because of money right now. even though are vet is really nice about makeing payments. but i do not remember the grade her knees...I will get this done before summer and our walking start more often agian...i will not let my baby suffer he says she is in no pain __________________ Sissy..Lilly..Maggie..Lucy

11-28-2007, 05:56 AM	#13
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I just noticed the date on this, and hope all went well. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki