I really do doubt that all Yorkies need knee replacements every five years.
I was happy when my vet examined my new pup, and said, "Good news - he has good knees." She said they are such a common problem with Yorkies.
And, yes, certainly they can easily injury their knees. They are so little.
I would think that exercise would be a good thing. But jumping off things, etc., might easily cause an injury. So we do have to be careful.
I have a Bichon who tore both of his anterior cruciate ligaments (knees). The first time, I paid $800 for surgery -- the second time, I let it heal on its own. Surgery is probably always best, but it is common knowledge that a dog weighing under 20 pounds can usually get by without surgery -- if you take care of them correctly and carefully until the injury heals.
Now -- watching him, I can't tell which of his knees it was that had surgery.
Larger dogs --- need to have surgery.
Carol Jean |