[Kenneth62]

I would appreciate some helpful suggestions on a decision that I need to make. My Yorkie was 1 year old July 21. I noticed four weeks ago that he was periodically holding up his left back leg. He would still walk and and run using all four most of time but not all. I figured that he had sprained it and since he didn't seem to have any pain even when I pressed on all that leg I figured that I would just see if it got better. It did not so one week ago I took him to the vet.

On initial exam the first vet thought that he had a high degree patella subluxation but took a xray then said no he had Leg Calf Perthees of left hip and that on further exam he didn't think that the patella subluxation was as sever as he first thought. He suggested a trial of conservative treatment with anti inflammatory medication Metacam and strict crate confinement for 10 days.

He seemed to be holding the leg up less but the last couple of days I noticed that he was still holding it up some. I informed the Breeder who felt that he should have surgery as soon as possible and offered to pay.

I took him back today and saw another Vet at same clinic. He took another x-ray and said that he had subluxation of both Patella and it was impossible to say how much of the limp was due to the patella problem and how much was due to the hip problem. He doesn't feel there has been much change in the x-ray but plans to have a Orthopedic review the x-rays and give an opinion by tomorrow. (the surgery if he gets it will be by another Vet who my breeder has had good experience with.) He then recommends starting him on an antibiotic as he say there is some thought that some of these cases are due to infection in the joint.

My delema is should I continue confining my dog to a crate and putting off surgery or go ahead and get the surgery done by another vet who has had a lot of experience performing the procedure. Any pros or cons that might help me make a decision? Thanks