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Originally Posted by canana  I know this is an old post, but unfortunately I have come across the dreaded LP in Casie.
She had woken up this past Sunday (3 days ago) hopping on her hind leg. So I made a rush appointment and took her in to see the vet yesterday.
About a year ago when she was about 8 months old, I started noticing her skipping during walks outside. I had read all about LP and was mentally prepared to accept she may need treatment of some sort. A friend who is a vet saw her at a party once and said it may be a grade I or grade II at that time.
Over the past 6 months or so, she was back to walking and running normally again. I assumed that maybe the skipping was possibly due to a minor injury. Or that maybe she developed some muscles to hold the knee cap in place better?
But because she woke up 3 days ago hopping and not just skipping, I booked an appointment right away. The vet showed me how the kneecap was not in place and that it could be pushed back in place. She said it was about a Grade III LP in her right hind leg. Her left hind leg is perfectly fine.
I read through all the past posts and several knowledgeable members suggested to not do surgery. As these posts were from 2015...I'm wondering if this is still the current advice? Casie is 1.5 years old right now. She's 2 kg (4.4 pounds).
Yesterday, she had a blood sample taken for tests and I got a referral to a specialist - waiting for them to get back to me for a consultation. While I'm waiting...I just wanted to know if the general consensus is still to hold off on surgery. She's so small, I really hate for her to have a surgery. She's also very young too - is it better to have the surgery done younger than older?
Not to mention...costs have gone up over the past few years. The vet quoted me something like $3000 to $4000 to have surgery on one knee! I am getting married in 3 months in October and am under quite the financial stress right now (not by choice, but it's a big 200-guest wedding). If she needs surgery, it's a pretty big burden! Sigh...
Anyway, my vet prescribed her an anti-inflammatory medication called Metacam. When she took it last night, after a couple hours, she was walking around on both feet again. This morning, she woke up hopping again.
Despite her 3-legged situation right now, she's still super full of energy! She's hopping around like a bunny, playing with her toys, and instigating play with Scottie as usual. It just really breaks my heart to see her hopping...my poor little Casie baby...
P.S. Casie does not jump at all (except once or twice when she's in the bath tub). We live in a condo, so there are no stairs. She's not allowed to jump onto the couch herself and is afraid to jump off the couch. To get on and off the couch, I always pick her up and put her back on the ground. |
If she has a torn ligament, the surgery usually runs around $3,500 depending on where you live.
If it is LP and she is just having issue with it they might just medicate and crate rest her. The specialist I use does not suggest surgery on LP in adult pups because there has already been wear and tear on the ligament...they can end up tearing it and then you have two surgeries. More money and more discomfort for the pup.