Hi ,
 
Thanks for your concern.  I have decided to postpone the surgery until after our trip to Italy.  The main reason now is that he has some kidney problems.  The vet(specialist) thinks he's either in the early stages of renal failure or he has an immune disease caused from a tick bite.  He also has high blood pressure.  So he's on 1/4 baby aspirin, omega fatty acids, dasequin, and enalapril daily.  He is still limping but i want to see what happens with his kidneys before he goes under the knife.