Sorry to hear about Tallulah's LP. Pixie my almost 5 year old had a fall from the bed and a day later started falling over and not walking on her back left leg. I took her to the Er vet and it was a new vet. He diagnosed her with Grade 3/4 in the left and grade 2 in right and said she would need surgery. I was surprised because Pixie's vet had never mentioned LP and she had just had the fall. I didn't have xrays done because I wanted her tobe seen my my vet the next day. So when I got her home, with meds, the leg looked like it was just hanging there. I went back at midnight and got a different er vet, new also, and had the xrays done. He said the same thing LP that needed surgery. I took her to my vet and she agreed that her knee would not stay in the socket without surgery. So I took her to the Orthopedic surgeon and she confirmed she needed surgery. This same surgeon did Cali's liver biopsy and spay and consulted on my pom's anal hernia so I trusted her. So Pixie had the knee cap regrooved the bone cut and moved over and a stitch in her tendon and has done really well. That was in June. On the other hand, Cali my 5 1/2 year old has grade 4 LP in both knees and they are permanently out of the socket. She has no problems with it and does not seem to be in any discomfort. Since she has other health issues my vet and I decided to do a wait and see on her. My vet said she has seen dogs with grade 4 live to be 14 and never need surgery. So I really think it's best to do watchful waiting and should problems arise have an orthopedist check her out. Pixie's surgery was 2600.00 that didn't include er visits and regular vet visit. I have VPI insurance and they denied it as genetic. I hope Tallulah never has any problems with it. It's best to keep their weight down and limit jumping. |