Oh poor little guy! I can't imagine my own kneecap popping in and out much less my babies!
Two things stood out from your post that to be honest, concerned me....
One is the fact that your Vet didn't grade his knee.
Keep this in mind....
Grade 2 - usually does not require surgery, restrict jumping/running and add a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement and keep your fingers crossed - lol!
Grade 3 - requires surgery and depending on how long it has been a Grade 3 greatly determines the success of the surgery. In other words, the more the knee cap slips in and out the more damage that is done. Even with surgery arthritis will develop in the joint and adding the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement will hopefully delay the onset. Almost constant pain in the joint.
Grade 4 - IMMEDIATE surgery - the pain must be excruciating! The kneecap will NOT go back into place and again, successful surgery is greatly reduced.
Unless it is caused by a trauma, like my maltese, they generally progress to a 3 or 4 over a period of time. Hence, a difficult choice as to when to operate.
The next thing that stood out is that your regular Vet, I'm assuming, is the one who quoted the price of $500 to you.
Buyer beware.........maybe it's different because of your location but here in NJ most "reputable" Vets will refer you out to an Orthopaedic Surgeon. The cost is not even close to the $500 - more like $2500 - $3000 per knee!
I know when a family member of mine is ill I would want the "best and most experienced" doctor/surgeon doing the surgery. Same was true with my Chan. Not saying that the 2 knees he just had done in the past 3 months was NOT a financial hardship but I never would have considered not going to an Orthopaedic Specialist.
Good Luck to you and your baby......keep in mind that even if Reggie's parents were OFA tested for LP it wouldn't matter - LP is a recessive gene! |