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Miao · 01-20-2009, 03:27 PM

She's never gone up/down the couch except when I used to get upset with her daddy (even when my tone isn't raised

) So for her sake, I'm TRYING not to get upset with him, and he just finds it amusing that she's so sensitive about that only while she pretends not to hear when I'm telling her firmly NOT to lick the cat's behind, etc. We also never encouraged her nor taught her to do stairs so that we'd have one fewer thing to worry about.

He did say that he may not be deepening the groove from what he can feel of it now but it will be a judgement call at the time they open up the joint. He will definitely be aligning the leg by cutting one of the bones, etc., pin it. The pins may or may not need to come out depending if it ends up bothering her and doesn't require her to go through the same kind of surgery again as they can easily just slice and pull with sedation and pain meds. The pins may rub up against her skin/tissue causing a rash or something along that line. It's "typically a bilateral disease so given time the left knee will be getting worse" so he foresees needing to get both done now. As it pops in and out through time, it scrapes more cartilage and "we want to preserve as much of the cartilage as possible." He did say they'd say probably around 6-8 weeks before they'd recommend to "let her go" but she should be walking well before that, just in moderation, I guess. "Physical therapy is very beneficial but not essential." He doesn't think "physical therapy by itself is going to resolve..." the problem like it may with human beings because you can't get the dog to do specific repetitive exercises that needs to be done (swimming apparently is just one part of it so it's not enough).

I've actually never heard it "click" out of place or even "click" back in for that matter. I've only seen it happen and felt it out of place.

I've been meaning to shop for area rugs and hall rugs to put into place so she'd have better grip and softer landings when she can't help but run laps chasing the cat or dashing to the door to greet someone.

That was my thought originally in that I'd wait to see if it bothers her again since it has completely STOPPED after the other check up with the vet (not sure what to expect now after the ortho's been through her leg

) But he has me concerned over deteriorating cartilage though glucosamine should help in that regard.

IF I have never been on YT and the internet wasn't such a convenient tool, I would not have any doubt in mind and think only positive can come out of putting her through surgery as the orthopedic surgeon and her new vet both seem to believe in the recovery of these little guys from a knee surgery. Our vet spoke of how well a Pom client of hers is doing after it got both knees done. My girl is currently 6lbs give or take an ounce, so maybe it's more safe for her? For myself, I tend to hate medication, surgery, doctors, dentists, you name it. But for her, I want to be able to say I know what's best for her and it's not like she can protest really, so it makes it more difficult. I want her to be able to be a dog without worries for the rest of her life.

I know it's easy for the humans to say "let's operate on her" because we don't have to feel the pain other than the pain of watching her be miserable during recovery. She LOVES running and playing even to the point of nausea as she really doesn't know her own limits. This is what makes the decision hard for me. I know later this weekend when we see her vet about her dentals and she would want to be updated on the ortho consult (I plan to just give her the mp3 of our entire conversation as it'd be easier than listening to my confusing retelling

) she will be pro immediate surgery too.

She's such a happy, energetic little girl... I am definitely NOT looking forward to her being confined and/or restricted from much movement for 2 months.

To read about how generally grade 1-2 LP's aren't usually recommended for surgery makes me worry also why our grade 1 for the one knee and grade 1 possibly going on to grade 2 one is told it should get it done "sooner rather than later".

01-20-2009, 03:27 PM	#15
Miao No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Savage Garden Posts: 1,147	She's never gone up/down the couch except when I used to get upset with her daddy (even when my tone isn't raised ) So for her sake, I'm TRYING not to get upset with him, and he just finds it amusing that she's so sensitive about that only while she pretends not to hear when I'm telling her firmly NOT to lick the cat's behind, etc. We also never encouraged her nor taught her to do stairs so that we'd have one fewer thing to worry about. He did say that he may not be deepening the groove from what he can feel of it now but it will be a judgement call at the time they open up the joint. He will definitely be aligning the leg by cutting one of the bones, etc., pin it. The pins may or may not need to come out depending if it ends up bothering her and doesn't require her to go through the same kind of surgery again as they can easily just slice and pull with sedation and pain meds. The pins may rub up against her skin/tissue causing a rash or something along that line. It's "typically a bilateral disease so given time the left knee will be getting worse" so he foresees needing to get both done now. As it pops in and out through time, it scrapes more cartilage and "we want to preserve as much of the cartilage as possible." He did say they'd say probably around 6-8 weeks before they'd recommend to "let her go" but she should be walking well before that, just in moderation, I guess. "Physical therapy is very beneficial but not essential." He doesn't think "physical therapy by itself is going to resolve..." the problem like it may with human beings because you can't get the dog to do specific repetitive exercises that needs to be done (swimming apparently is just one part of it so it's not enough). I've actually never heard it "click" out of place or even "click" back in for that matter. I've only seen it happen and felt it out of place. I've been meaning to shop for area rugs and hall rugs to put into place so she'd have better grip and softer landings when she can't help but run laps chasing the cat or dashing to the door to greet someone. That was my thought originally in that I'd wait to see if it bothers her again since it has completely STOPPED after the other check up with the vet (not sure what to expect now after the ortho's been through her leg ) But he has me concerned over deteriorating cartilage though glucosamine should help in that regard. IF I have never been on YT and the internet wasn't such a convenient tool, I would not have any doubt in mind and think only positive can come out of putting her through surgery as the orthopedic surgeon and her new vet both seem to believe in the recovery of these little guys from a knee surgery. Our vet spoke of how well a Pom client of hers is doing after it got both knees done. My girl is currently 6lbs give or take an ounce, so maybe it's more safe for her? For myself, I tend to hate medication, surgery, doctors, dentists, you name it. But for her, I want to be able to say I know what's best for her and it's not like she can protest really, so it makes it more difficult. I want her to be able to be a dog without worries for the rest of her life. I know it's easy for the humans to say "let's operate on her" because we don't have to feel the pain other than the pain of watching her be miserable during recovery. She LOVES running and playing even to the point of nausea as she really doesn't know her own limits. This is what makes the decision hard for me. I know later this weekend when we see her vet about her dentals and she would want to be updated on the ortho consult (I plan to just give her the mp3 of our entire conversation as it'd be easier than listening to my confusing retelling ) she will be pro immediate surgery too. She's such a happy, energetic little girl... I am definitely NOT looking forward to her being confined and/or restricted from much movement for 2 months. To read about how generally grade 1-2 LP's aren't usually recommended for surgery makes me worry also why our grade 1 for the one knee and grade 1 possibly going on to grade 2 one is told it should get it done "sooner rather than later".