[107barney]

I would not even consider allowing any vet to perform this surgery on my dog unless that person was board certified. I also would not consent to the procedure unless my dog was lame after trying medication and crate rest.

My dog has two grade 4 LPs...one was surgically corrected after she was lame despite meds and strict crate rest. The other leg has never needed surgery. She is now 11 and the knee that was repaired never failed and has no arthritis and that is because of the conservative approach we took and the skill of the surgeon who had worked on many toy breed dogs. The other leg has "gone out" a few times in her 11 years but we medicate and rest her and she gets that spring back in her step in no time.

Please consider surgery by ONLY a board certified surgeon and ONLY after all conservative treatments have failed.

ETA: yes, get a second opinion, board certified surgeon...