Being from NY too, and having gone to 2 different Ortho Specialists, I'd be a little leary that $1500 was too little...
Roxy had LP in both rear legs.
The first Ortho Specialist I went to was in Farmingdale (Long Island). He wanted about $3500 per leg, one leg at a time.
The second Ortho Specialist I went to was in Westbury. Dr. Laura Hinton at
http://www.vetspecialist.com/index.p...late=frontnews
Dr. Hinton did surgery for Roxy, both legs at the same time for a few dollars under $3000. If I did one at a time, it would have been about $2500 each leg.
I do have faith in Dr. Hinton, but unfortunatley Roxy had to have a 2nd surgery b/c her right leg didn't stablize
The 2nd surgery I had to pay for meds and hospital stays, etc. cost about $700.
And, I am just so upset about it, but Roxy has her 3rd surgery scheduled for June 27th (next Weds.) It turns out that her left leg is no longer stablized. And I am sure that the 3rd surgery will be another $700. I go tomorrow to meet with Dr. Hinton, but my regular vet said last month (when she got her shots) that her left leg is luxating again!
So in the end for me about $5000 (3 surgeries later)
I have written so much about LP and so has Yorkiemalt.
Do a search here on YT for: Luxating Patella
you'll find lots of stuff!