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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. |
Hi,
Reese is 1 year and 4 months and has also been diagnosed with a luxating patella in her back right leg. She was just diagnosed yesterday and I too am very confused about what to do. On Monday Reese was in the back yard and she went to chase a ball and as she started to run she yelped and quickly sat down. She tried to get up again and again yelped and sat on the grass. For the rest of the day she limped around a bit and on Tuesday I took her to the vet. The vet put her on non-steroidal pain killers for 2 weeks for the pain. He said that she may have tore something which is causing the luxating patella. He said she needs to keep jumping to a minimum and stay on the pain medication and come back for a reevaluation in two weeks. I have already seen some slight improvement in Reese, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the was caused by an injury and can heal and the knee cap will go back into place and stay there! Otherwise, she will need surgery : ( I think if your pup is not in any pain and does not show any signs of limping then I would not do the surgery. But if she is limping then it seems like she is probably in pain. Our vet said that some dogs have this there whole life and it is never a problem for them. I understand your fear and frustration, please keep us updated as to what you decide. I will also let you know what our vet says in 2 weeks when we go back.