The best preventitive for LP is NOT to breed dogs that have it or if it is prevelent in the bloodlines. LP is one of the major problems in the Yorkie breed. It occurs in show lines as well as mill and BYB'r lines. but, the show/exhibitors are making a huge effort to breed this fault out by not breeding dogs that have it where as the mills and BYB'rs are doing nothing. It is mostly thought of as being hereditary, but can also accure from an injury.(falling wrong, jumping, etc). There are 4 stages of LP, the worst being stage 4. Usually the dogs with stage 1 and 2 never need surgery and usually dont have a problem.(maybe a little stiffness as they age) Stage 3 may need surgery and stage 4 usually always need surgery. I think alot of people are having unnecessary surgeries done because of uneducated vets or vets that just want to do the surgery for the money. I would have at least 2 opinions on having the surgery done. |