[lizziepooh_1]

I can sort of relate to what you're going through. WHen we bought Tia from a pet shop, my husband surprised me with her. I would have gone to a breeder but he felt more comfortable with their "warranty". We went for the 72 hour check up, found out she had grade 4 LP. Some warranty! Tia isn't a pair of jeans with a tear in it! We were attached to her! We didn't know what would happen to her if we brought her back.....would she go to the "breeder", be sold to another family? What if that family couldn't afford the surgery and either put her down or brought her to the humane society and was ulitmately euthanized?

We couldn't live with that, so we kept her. We prefer not to pay for the expensive surgery, but we can afford it if it comes to that. She is over 1 year old and hasn't shown any signs of limping (yet). Out vet told us that at the 10 month mark, the joints and bones have developed enough for an experienced vet to give a corretc grading of LP.

With regards to your fiance wanting to not keep your yorkie, keep in mind that LP is common in small breeds, so even if you get another yorkie, there is no telling that they might also be born with it or might develope it later from one funny jump.

With regards to cost, many people have advised me that you get what you pay for and I've seen plenty of people here who have had to pay for the same surgery on the same knee twice. Do it once and get it done well.

I see you are in Toronto. If you can manage a trip to Quebec (depending where in Toronto you are, you'll be about 4.5 - 5 hours from Gatineau, or 4 - 4.5 hours from Montreal if you take the 401 through to the 40)...schedule a few vet visits there.....when researching, I found their prices to be more competitive than Ontario prices. Prices for surgery on animals is not regulated. And it goes without saying to find a vet who had lots of experience in this area.

You might want to check with a vet or with some experienced members here...a reliable breeder in my region recommended supplemeting Tia's diet with Glucosamine Sulfate (break open a caplet and sprinkle no more than half of a capsule of powder per meal or per day...alternatively, there are dog foods that contain glucosamine sulfate).

Keep your head up, do your homework, and follow your heart. My husband and I don't regret our decision to keep Tia one bit, and going through this has encouraged us to keep her healthier....lot's of exercise, no table scraps.

I wish you all the best!