what I feared came true

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Callie is 4 and she had the surgery on her right back leg in November and we didn't have a choice of if we could wait or not because her ACL was tearing. Her knee was a grade 3. The first two weeks was the toughest for me because the first few days she was so groggy, wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink just nothing and she just looked so sad and pitiful. Coming home with out her after I dropped her off for surgery was terrible too I cried and cried. The whole two months and even now I am having a problem getting her to eat as much as she should. I keep Callie in a puppy cut and had her shaved very short a few days before her surgery and after the two months when she could finally get groomed boy was she shaggy. The nurse at the vet hospital gave me a pill shooter (i know that sounds so bad but its not as bad as it sounds there is no shooting of the pill) and I am so glad she did because sense Callie was not eating there was no way to trick her with the pill and that's the only way to get her to take tramadol. I really suggest doing the physical therapy after wards our physical therapist walked Callie on the treadmill in the water and would give me some papers with some exercises to do to help her strengthen her leg. After three weeks we had to start physical therapy and walk her 5 minutes a day twice a day then the next week it was 10 minutes a day twice a day and it goes up by 5 minutes every week. With the cold weather the walks were slightly difficult but I just bundled her up in her jacket and me and mine I also fell in the snow once and that was painful. I don't know if you saw my posts or not but after Callie was cleared for activity and was returning back to normal activity she started to limp all the time and hold her leg up constantly so we went to the orthopedic surgeon and he said she was definitely in pain and sedated her for xrays and then had to pull the pins out and be on pain meds for a week as well as leash walks for 3-5 days. How she is acting now and walking so good I am very glad we got the surgery done but for a while when before we knew the pins needed to come out I felt so bad like a made the wrong decisions and she was going to be in pain and limp forever it depressed me. Now I cannot stop smiling when I see her walking great. Sorry he is going to have to get the surgery.

Im glad to hear Callie is doing better- I worry about the surgery- I would hate to do it and have to go through it all again :/

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Hot Rod was a 1 1/2 when he had his lp surgery. The first 2 weeks were the worst as it was very upsetting to see him like this. He likes to be held a certain way and of course the leg that was operated on was the one closest to my body. I had to hold him opposite and it was difficult for me to do. Much easier for hubby to hold him.

After 2 weeks, he seemed to be getting better but then it was a matter of trying to keep him from jumping and moving around too much. As the weeks progressed, it got tougher to try and keep him from activity. Hot Rod was on a strict 6 week, no activity recuperation.

He's now 4 and all the vets say that his knee is as tight as could be.

So sorry that you are faced with dealing with this. Hugs.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod

Hot Rod was a 1 1/2 when he had his lp surgery. The first 2 weeks were the worst as it was very upsetting to see him like this. He likes to be held a certain way and of course the leg that was operated on was the one closest to my body. I had to hold him opposite and it was difficult for me to do. Much easier for hubby to hold him.

After 2 weeks, he seemed to be getting better but then it was a matter of trying to keep him from jumping and moving around too much. As the weeks progressed, it got tougher to try and keep him from activity. Hot Rod was on a strict 6 week, no activity recuperation.

He's now 4 and all the vets say that his knee is as tight as could be.

So sorry that you are faced with dealing with this. Hugs.

I was hoping to see you post- what grade was Hot Rod when he had his surgery? Was he "limping" bad? What made you decide to get the surgery?

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by YorkieMiki

Very sorry about that. I have a 4.5 month old puppy and wanted to prevent LP. Did your yorkie exercise a lot? Is there any way to prevent LP? Should I exercise him more or less?

I agree that LP is often genetic, but it also can be caused or aggravated by injury. To prevent injury, you can try to prevent your pup from jumping from things. I used a ramp to get on and off the bed and I also had something for my girls to get off and on the couch. My first Yorkie had problems with LP, so I probably was a little more overprotective of my three Yorkies that I had after her. I did a lot of exercise and walking with them, and luckily their knees were great.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by YorkieMiki

Very sorry about that. I have a 4.5 month old puppy and wanted to prevent LP. Did your yorkie exercise a lot? Is there any way to prevent LP? Should I exercise him more or less?

Genetic LP is just that Genetic, and usually shows up in both knees, to one degree of severity or another.

As well your pup can acquire LP due to accident, trauma, or repetitive injury. Especially jumping off of high places when they are young and their bones have not matured yet.

Proper exercise is a must for all dogs, but especially if you want to keep their joints in good shape. Walking is great. At this point 4.5 mths old your pup should be able to do a moderately fast pace walk for 20minutes -2x per day. that is moderately fast paced for your pup and not for you

Next is to maintain a healthy weight. Puppies should have a wee bit of fat on them, but not a lot!. As adults the dog should have a discernible covering of skin over the ribs, a visible waistline, and their spine should not be too prominent to touch/pet.

Swimming at any age, is another ideal exercise. You can use your bathtub in wintertime, and a kiddy pool in summer. Get a lifejacket at least initially as it will do a lot to help your pup be confident and to use all their limbs correctly in the water.

Sit/Beg/Stand is an exercise that is amazing for rear leg and back strength. As a pup, just start with sit, a good sit, and have them stay in that sit for about 2 minutes from time to time. Give them solid stable surfaces to work on, and introduce the beg. After your dog is 14-18 mths old introduce the stand part.

Chasing toys and balls. First warm up your pup prior to introducing any of this type of play. It could be as little as a 5 minute walk. Or have them, follow you around the house at a walk, going up n downstairs.
Then if you want to throw the toy, do it on non slippery surfaces - your backyard - on a non slip mat indoors, or on a rug. Then after play, cool down your pup - walking - massage - stretching.

[southernbelle04]

Oh, poor little sweet Peanut! Bless his heart! I hope the surgery will help!

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by gemy

Genetic LP is just that Genetic, and usually shows up in both knees, to one degree of severity or another.

As well your pup can acquire LP due to accident, trauma, or repetitive injury. Especially jumping off of high places when they are young and their bones have not matured yet.

Proper exercise is a must for all dogs, but especially if you want to keep their joints in good shape. Walking is great. At this point 4.5 mths old your pup should be able to do a moderately fast pace walk for 20minutes -2x per day. that is moderately fast paced for your pup and not for you

Next is to maintain a healthy weight. Puppies should have a wee bit of fat on them, but not a lot!. As adults the dog should have a discernible covering of skin over the ribs, a visible waistline, and their spine should not be too prominent to touch/pet.

Swimming at any age, is another ideal exercise. You can use your bathtub in wintertime, and a kiddy pool in summer. Get a lifejacket at least initially as it will do a lot to help your pup be confident and to use all their limbs correctly in the water.

Sit/Beg/Stand is an exercise that is amazing for rear leg and back strength. As a pup, just start with sit, a good sit, and have them stay in that sit for about 2 minutes from time to time. Give them solid stable surfaces to work on, and introduce the beg. After your dog is 14-18 mths old introduce the stand part.

Chasing toys and balls. First warm up your pup prior to introducing any of this type of play. It could be as little as a 5 minute walk. Or have them, follow you around the house at a walk, going up n downstairs.
Then if you want to throw the toy, do it on non slippery surfaces - your backyard - on a non slip mat indoors, or on a rug. Then after play, cool down your pup - walking - massage - stretching.

Excellent information!!! Kaji has grade 4 in both knees and we have had minimal issues with it. (no lifting, limping, or any visible signs of LP other than I know it's there)

I'm so glad you posted. Kaji already follows me from room to room when I get home, then we build up to playing chase and hide and seek. At least I now know I've been doing something right.

I know they can get LP even after surgery so I'm only going there as a last resort and only with an orthopedic surgeon.

[BabyFidgette]

Just want to let you know, my vet told me Baby had grade 3 or 4 (I don't remember) and that she needed surgery. I looked around, asked friends, etc. I was told by a close friend it is an unnecessary surgery bc most times it doesn't work. What they do is make a deeper groove for the patella to stay in and it pops out most times anyway. Im just telling you my experience.

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod

Hot Rod was a 1 1/2 when he had his lp surgery. The first 2 weeks were the worst as it was very upsetting to see him like this. He likes to be held a certain way and of course the leg that was operated on was the one closest to my body. I had to hold him opposite and it was difficult for me to do. Much easier for hubby to hold him.

After 2 weeks, he seemed to be getting better but then it was a matter of trying to keep him from jumping and moving around too much. As the weeks progressed, it got tougher to try and keep him from activity. Hot Rod was on a strict 6 week, no activity recuperation.

He's now 4 and all the vets say that his knee is as tight as could be.

So sorry that you are faced with dealing with this. Hugs.

Wow, that's a happy ending!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

Just want to let you know, my vet told me Baby had grade 3 or 4 (I don't remember) and that she needed surgery. I looked around, asked friends, etc. I was told by a close friend it is an unnecessary surgery bc most times it doesn't work. What they do is make a deeper groove for the patella to stay in and it pops out most times anyway. Im just telling you my experience.

The surgery works 90 percent of the time not sure where you got your info from but I did a crazy amount of research and many many places said 90% is successful. Also I would never let a regular vet tell me weather my dog need LP surgery but go to an orthopedic surgeon. Most of the yorkies on here who have had the surgery have been successful.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Pnut had his dental yesterday, I told his vet I wanted him to recheck his LP- Pnut is at a grade 3 on his right knee and grade 1 on his left. Which I already knew, but a year ago his knee wasnt as bad as it is now. Pnut will need the surgery! He has been lifing and hopping a lot more then he ever has- I knew it was coming, but I didnt want to believe it. He is on Cosequin he has been for a couple months- I notice the cosequin doesnt work like it use to either.. Dh and I are going to put some money away.. and I think we are going to do his Sx in December- I will have 2 weeks off so that will be good-

Our vet has a specialist that will do the surgey, he does about 2 a month and they are mostly maltese, yorkies so he is use to working on small breeds- I am such a wreck, i have been so upset!


For all of you that has had the Lp surgey on your furbutts I have a couple questions!!

What age did you get the surgey on them?
What grade was the pet at the time of Sx?
Do you have any problems?
How hard was the after care?
What made you decide to do the surgey?

I am going to do more research, but I really want first hand expierence!!

My vet also said if I do wait until Dec, I have to watch him and if I see him in any pain or him not using that leg he will need the Sx asap!!

My 11.5 year old Barney is currently recovering from surgery - not only did he have his LP fixed, but he tore his ACL and meniscus. I chose a surgical specialist who was an ACVS diplomat with experience. He was a grade 3 but had good function until he jumped off the bed - no hiking the leg or limping.

Daisy also had LP surgery. She was age 2. Her grade was 4 and she was lame.

The aftercare for Daisy wasn't that hard. I kept her quiet. I plan to do the same with Barney. He is out of surgery for one day today and already using the leg a little.

Recovery is about 2 months and isn't that hard. It's hard to keep them quiet, but if you are disciplined about it, and have a good surgeon, then the recovery is amazing.

In both cases, the decision to take the dog to surgery was because they did not have good function given their situation. The risks of the surgery were far outweighed by the benefits.

I honestly would not wait until December if my dog was limping or holding up the leg. I'd see a surgical specialist now for an opinion.

Good luck.

[107barney]

P.S.
My dog Daisy had LP surgery at age 2 but I forgot to mention that she too is now 11.5 years old. She has never had a failure of the surgery, and doesn't have arthritis. She runs, jumps, plays, and has the time of her life. I'd do it again in a heartbeat as it gave her a wonderful quality of life. Her other leg is a grade 4 and while she does shift on that leg now that she is older, it is very minor and only occasional. I'd do surgery on her if she needed it.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

The surgery works 90 percent of the time not sure where you got your info from but I did a crazy amount of research and many many places said 90% is successful. Also I would never let a regular vet tell me weather my dog need LP surgery but go to an orthopedic surgeon. Most of the yorkies on here who have had the surgery have been successful.

I concur. I've never heard of failures of these surgeries. Agree also on the ACVS surgeon opinion.

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

The surgery works 90 percent of the time not sure where you got your info from but I did a crazy amount of research and many many places said 90% is successful. Also I would never let a regular vet tell me weather my dog need LP surgery but go to an orthopedic surgeon. Most of the yorkies on here who have had the surgery have been successful.

Yeah, you have a point. Specialists are who you need to see. But, Baby is fine in my opinion. She barely pops out. Maybe a few times a year. And when she does, I massage her back in. I have carpet now and it seems to be so much better for her.

[Justrunningthru]

:-( Sorry to hear this. Hoping the best for both of you! <3