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Originally Posted by sneri13 Mellie has luxating Patella in both of her back knees. The vet can cause them to slip everytime he manipulates her legs. He said although they slip all the time she doesn't appear to be in any pain and said we should just leave them alone and watch them. She doesn't cry or appear to be in any pain, has no problem running or playing. I have noticed lately (last couple of weeks) actuall since her last vet check, that everytime she get up from laying down she will limp. My question is should I take her to the orthopedic vet for a specialists opion? When is surgery warrented? What is involved with the surgery? How long is recovery? What are the complications if she does not have the surgery by waiting unitl she is in pain and it is a bigger problem? I do not want her to go under any uneccessary surgery. I am worried that the ortho vet will just decide that she needs surgery since she does have LP and does limp. Any suggestions/Advice is appreciated. |
If she is limping then she does appear to be in pain, so she probably is going to end up needing surgery. I would only use the specialist also. Patellas are rated as to how bad they are. 1 2 3 or 4. 4's will always need surgery, a lot of 3's will, but as a rule a 1 or 2 will not, but there are always exceptions as with anything.
I'm sorry I can't tell you recovery time, as I've never had one and when pet people have called me for advice on dogs they've bought elsewhere, I have never asked the recovery, but I'm going to guess that totally probably around a month, but that it would be getting around almost immediately. Dogs can easily get around on 3 legs during recovery. Good luck.