LP

[KSH]

Hello, I'm new to YorkieTalk and hope I'm posting this in the right place.

My one year old Yorkie is in need of surgery. There is a split of the patella bone on her right hind leg, so that will need pinning, and she suggested that whomever I choose to do the surgery will examine my Yorkie to let me know if the luxating patellas on both hind legs need surgery, but she categorized both legs between level 3 and 4, so believes the Vet(s) will probably diagnose the need for both legs to be surgically repaired.

My general practitioner Veterinarian gave us 3 referrals:
Two of those referrals are board certified orthopedic surgeons, the third Vet is a general practitioner who my Vet says has done this procedure many times, and she said if my Yorkie was hers, she would feel comfortable using him.

My problem is deciding between driving 70 miles to one of the two clinics with board certified orthopedic surgeons, or using the doctor referred to in my own city who according to my Vet "has done many of these surgeries and most people she referred to him are quite happy with the outcome." I worry that I would have to drive my Yorkie to surgery that far away and then have to drive her back the same miles home, post-op. On the other hand, I want the best surgery done to pin that bone and diagnose surgeries on the luxating patellas.

I read often that many at this site have only used board certified vets to do the surgery. Has anyone had this surgery done by a regular vet who had experience with this surgery and if so, were you satisfied with the surgery and post-op recovery? Of course, my doctor is expecting me to make the decision, and I feel torn about the importance of a veterinarian being board certified.

Thank you for your consideration about my dilemma concerning a choice for doctors.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by KSH

Hello, I'm new to YorkieTalk and hope I'm posting this in the right place.

My one year old Yorkie is in need of surgery. There is a split of the patella bone on her right hind leg, so that will need pinning, and she suggested that whomever I choose to do the surgery will examine my Yorkie to let me know if the luxating patellas on both hind legs need surgery, but she categorized both legs between level 3 and 4, so believes the Vet(s) will probably diagnose the need for both legs to be surgically repaired.

My general practitioner Veterinarian gave us 3 referrals:
Two of those referrals are board certified orthopedic surgeons, the third Vet is a general practitioner who my Vet says has done this procedure many times, and she said if my Yorkie was hers, she would feel comfortable using him.

My problem is deciding between driving 70 miles to one of the two clinics with board certified orthopedic surgeons, or using the doctor referred to in my own city who according to my Vet "has done many of these surgeries and most people she referred to him are quite happy with the outcome." I worry that I would have to drive my Yorkie to surgery that far away and then have to drive her back the same miles home, post-op. On the other hand, I want the best surgery done to pin that bone and diagnose surgeries on the luxating patellas.

I read often that many at this site have only used board certified vets to do the surgery. Has anyone had this surgery done by a regular vet who had experience with this surgery and if so, were you satisfied with the surgery and post-op recovery? Of course, my doctor is expecting me to make the decision, and I feel torn about the importance of a veterinarian being board certified.

Thank you for your consideration about my dilemma concerning a choice for doctors.

At the risk of getting hit in the head with a brick, yes, my Bella had luxating patella surgery done by my regular vet, and yes, I was satisfied with the surgery and post-op recovery. HOWEVER, my vet is a teaching professor at a major university veterinary college, so he may be the exception rather than the rule. Not knowing anything about the regular vet recommended by your vet, I would recommend going with one of the board-certified orthopedic surgeons.

[ladyjane]

Especially using pins, I would go with the board certified surgeon. I personally will not use a general vet for orthopedic surgeries. Sadly, I have seen many botch jobs in my time spent at the specialists. I foster and am often there and meet a lot of people.

The surgeon I use does recommend repairs on pups as young as yours, but not for older ones. The reason for that is the wear and tear on the cruciate ligament...if you repair at a young age, the risk of tearing the ligament is greatly decreased. At an older age, the ligament is already worn and they can repair the LP and end up having to repair the ligament a few months later. He said that often happens and then the pup goes through a lot and it costs so much more to do.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[JMuedog]

Moved this to its own thread to try and get you more answers.

[KSH]

Oh thank you to all for responding. I'm confused about how to use the site, obviously! I have decided to travel to the other city to get consultation from the board certified vets for Cella. I'm so dreading all of this. Get a new pup and she has knee problems and one bone that didn't set right with growth from a pup, so it needs to be pinned, and luxating patella in both knees? It is so disappointing!

[buddybear]

Originally Posted by KSH

Oh thank you to all for responding. I'm confused about how to use the site, obviously! I have decided to travel to the other city to get consultation from the board certified vets for Cella. I'm so dreading all of this. Get a new pup and she has knee problems and one bone that didn't set right with growth from a pup, so it needs to be pinned, and luxating patella in both knees? It is so disappointing!

So sorry for all your troubles with this puppy! I'm not in your situation but do pray the best for you and your baby.

[KSH]

Originally Posted by buddybear

So sorry for all your troubles with this puppy! I'm not in your situation but do pray the best for you and your baby.

Thank you so very much. It's wonderful to find support here at YorkieTalk!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by KSH

Oh thank you to all for responding. I'm confused about how to use the site, obviously! I have decided to travel to the other city to get consultation from the board certified vets for Cella. I'm so dreading all of this. Get a new pup and she has knee problems and one bone that didn't set right with growth from a pup, so it needs to be pinned, and luxating patella in both knees? It is so disappointing!

It is a disappointment for sure. Have you spoken with the breeder about this?

[KSH]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It is a disappointment for sure. Have you spoken with the breeder about this?

No, I haven't. She was a single parent woman with many children who had a male and female Yorkie. She didn't get them fixed and of course the dam got pregnant. [I usually only get rescue/pound dogs] An acquaintance offered that there were Yorkie pups in need of a home, so I visited the woman and the 5 all-female pups and I took one. They were already 3 mos. old and I admonished the woman that she should have had her own dogs fixed, and that the pups should have had all their shots, which she didn't bother doing, either! I took the pup to give her a home and I love her, but as I said, it is disappointing because you really hate to see a dog go through surgeries.

Thank you for you for responding.

[KSH]

Not that it matters, but Cella's name is Graeco-Roman, pronounced "Chella" ...

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by KSH

No, I haven't. She was a single parent woman with many children who had a male and female Yorkie. She didn't get them fixed and of course the dam got pregnant. [I usually only get rescue/pound dogs] An acquaintance offered that there were Yorkie pups in need of a home, so I visited the woman and the 5 all-female pups and I took one. They were already 3 mos. old and I admonished the woman that she should have had her own dogs fixed, and that the pups should have had all their shots, which she didn't bother doing, either! I took the pup to give her a home and I love her, but as I said, it is disappointing because you really hate to see a dog go through surgeries.

Thank you for you for responding.

She is lucky she ended up with you! While the surgery might be difficult, not having it would be worse' and sadly that happens to many and they suffer for much longer. I have a 3 year olf foster who just went through extensive surgery on a leg because someone ignored her needs when she was a puppy.

[yorkiemini]

I don't have the experience of Ladyjane (who I would definitely listen to BTW). I had one pup with LP. Had it fixed by a board certified doc and she did great!

Wishing you the best of luck and care. You Are so good to take such good care of this little girl

[KSH]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

She is lucky she ended up with you! While the surgery might be difficult, not having it would be worse' and sadly that happens to many and they suffer for much longer. I have a 3 year olf foster who just went through extensive surgery on a leg because someone ignored her needs when she was a puppy.

Thank you so much. I hope all goes well with your little one, too. They are helpless and at the mercy of caring people who take their health issues seriously.

[KSH]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Especially using pins, I would go with the board certified surgeon. I personally will not use a general vet for orthopedic surgeries. Sadly, I have seen many botch jobs in my time spent at the specialists. I foster and am often there and meet a lot of people.

The surgeon I use does recommend repairs on pups as young as yours, but not for older ones. The reason for that is the wear and tear on the cruciate ligament...if you repair at a young age, the risk of tearing the ligament is greatly decreased. At an older age, the ligament is already worn and they can repair the LP and end up having to repair the ligament a few months later. He said that often happens and then the pup goes through a lot and it costs so much more to do.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thank you for your advice, LadyJane! I am seeing a board certified. I just wish he were in my own city! My general practitioner Vet said about the same thing you said about doing it while she is young. I have no choice but to get in ASAP for the Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion that requires pinning. I needed to get her in for re-diagnosis, x-rays and then the surgical pinning of the bone. The Luxating Patella may or may not be done on that same knee at the same time as the TTA, and when to do the other knee for the LT will be decided as well, when he sees the x-rays.

[KSH]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

I don't have the experience of Ladyjane (who I would definitely listen to BTW). I had one pup with LP. Had it fixed by a board certified doc and she did great!

Wishing you the best of luck and care. You Are so good to take such good care of this little girl

hahaha. Too funny. I drive a Mini Cooper, too.
Yes, Ladyjane and all of you have given me good advice. Now I just follow through with the consultations and make sure I feel secure with the surgeon's advice. One-day-at-a-time!