Finally got my internet connection back up after my move this weekend.
I took Tink to the specialist on Tuesday and he says the problem is not with her knee but with her hip. He showed me the X-rays and it was obvious to me before he even said anything that she does not have a hip socket for the right back leg.
He said she should have the femur head removed and then receive intense physical therapy to teach the muscles to conpensate for the lack of a hip. This is something large dogs have, not little ones. The vet said it is quite unusual.
So, I scheduled the surgery for Tuesday morning next week. They'll cut the ball off of the femur, remove more bone and stitch her up. He promised she will have lots of good pain meds.
She will be confined for a week and then must be up and start slow walking
- not fast-paced Yorkie walking!
I should be able to do that. Slow is good, it will force her to put the leg down and put weight on it. My poor little baby girl!
I feel so bad for her but I want her to be well and in the long run this will give her a pain free life. The other hip is not the best but he said he thinks it will be OK until she gets old and then it will develop arthritis. But he can't do the surgery on both hips 'cause she'd never walk then. Waaaahhhh!!!
So please remember Tink and me in your prayers; that she will heal well and walk without pain or problems, and that I will have patience and persistance to teach her to walk again without a hip.