A grade 3 luxating patella is serious and I'm sure most vets would recommend surgery.
1) If she isn't limping and doesn't seem to be having any problems - you might watch her for a while and take care of it if and when it becomes more bothersome. Because - after all - that's why we're doing the surgery in the first place.
2) Also - if she doesn't appear to be having any problems - you may want to get her checked again - and really be sure that she has a grade 3 luxating patella. It would be nice if it ended up not being that severe - and she could get by without surgery.
3) If your pup does end up needing surgery on both knees - I would recommend getting them both done at the same time. My Bichon tore both his cruciate ligaments (knee) - first one and had surgery - and then six months later he tore the other.
It took months before he was getting around well again.....and he had to go through this twice. (He was getting around fairly well after six weeks or so - but he couldn't jump up on anything for almost six months - he still has problems...)
Good luck - let us know what you decide to do.
Carol Jean |