[ladyjane]

It is a well known fact that if a torn CCL is not repaired in any dog, arthritis will set in. Their knees are not like ours and not repairing them imo is subjecting them to lifelong issues. I personally would never allow any pup in my care to suffer with a torn ligament and I do surgery as soon after diagnosis as I can. The major problem with yorkies is the instability in the knee joint and that is what is repaired in this surgery. This is not able to be fixed with conservative management. Usually the surgeons will repair both knees....the one with the torn ligament and the other at the same time. After they have torn one, they are more likley to tear the other.

Can small dogs use their legs after a tear? Yes, but that does not mean there are no adverse affects due to the tear. The fact that a pup can use it might lull a person into thinking they are well, but I can assure you they are not. I don't think there is any evidence that supplements and exercise do anything to avoid this. I guess it all comes down to what a person will put a dog through. I would rather do two months of surgical after care than a life time managing painful arthritis.

Your specialist will give you the best information regarding your decision. Mine strongly urges early surgical intervention and he is not a "surgery happy" surgeon. He often advises against LP surgery in adult dogs unless there is a painful issue where the leg is not being used.