Cure for a contracted quadriceps muscle?
 

We just got in a 3 month old yorkie puppy into our Rescue (Florida Yorkie Rescue.) One back leg is very stiff, the knee will not bend and when the puppy tries to walk the leg splays out to the side. When the puppy walks on a tile floor, both back legs spLay outwards and it is pitiful to see. But the other back leg bends and works normally.

Believe it or not, this puppy was being sold on Craig's list for $150.00 and had never been to a vet, not for x-rays, not for vaccinations, not for anything whatsoever. A Good Samaritan purchased the puppy and brought it to us.

I have been to several vets as well as an orthopedic surgeon, had tests done and xrays.. and they all say the same thing... surgery cannot repair what she has and that in the future she will probably need an amputation. My Vet has gone onto other Vet websites and asked around to see if anyone had heard of anything new that might work... but all she got was the same story.

I have been told to try to work with her leg, massage it, stretch her muscles very carefully and perhaps make her dance by holding her up by her front paws and making her use both back legs... which I will do but I have been told not to expect much.

We are so heartbroken that this little puppy might lose her leg. Has anyone heard of this? Anyone have any personal experience with this? Yorkie Talks is one of my last resorts... hoping someone out there might at least know what I am talking about. We had never heard of this before she arrived and we thought we had heard of everything.

Here is her youtube video showing how she walks. Hope it is o.k. to post it here... Peggy Sue... the yorkie puppy. - YouTube

Thanks..

Kit

What a sweet soul! I have no experience with this issue but wish the best for this puppy. It's so terrible that people get pets that they are not willing to provide even the most basic health care for.

I have no experience with this at all....that poor baby..hopefully someone here can help.

I hope miraculously with exercises she is cured, have you consulted an orthopedic or massage therapist?

If not we're so lucky to live in a day and age when doggy wheelchairs are an option to make a life enjoyable for poor pups like this.

What a lucky pup to be with you now!

We had a pup in our rescue with two straight legs. I went to three vets who told me nothing could be done. This was when I found a surgeon who I now use for all of my orthopedic cases. He was able to operate on one of the pup's legs and while it was never going to be perfect, it was much, much better and Teddy Bear could use that leg and bend it. He cut and released the muscle and also had to reconstruct the knee. In the end, I adopted Teddy and he is still doing well about 6 years after that surgery. His was much more of a mess because it involved both legs and hips.

I don't know if it is the same type of thing but, I would say that IF there is any hope at all for your puppy, he would be the vet to do it. Perhaps, since you are so far away, you could have his records sent to Dr. Beale for review.

His name is Dr. Brian Beale and he is at Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgeons in Houston. Home is their website. If you PM me, I will be happy to give you his client services coordinator's email.

He has done a few very complicated cases for YHR and I highly recommend him.

Here are a few videos of Teddy. In the end, he only had surgery on the one leg and he did very well...he did need months of PT after the surgery.

This pup almost looks like it could have been a swimmer pup. It looks as though she's having a bit of trouble with the other leg as well. I would keep looking for a better ortho for sure & also www.klaserusa.com you can find someone near you if you go to this site & K-Laser is miraculous & I would try it before surgery. In the site you can also find vets & animal PTs who use K-Laser in your area.

Let me add that if Dr. Beale felt that surgery would not help, he would say so! If there is another modality that would work, he would know it. Here is a recent article about him assisting with stem cell therapy in a couple of zoo cats:

Tiger and black leopard undergo stem cell treatment for pain - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

I bet he has a K-Laser.

no....he is a surgeon

Perhaps someone there does it, but not him.

Will be praying for this poor baby. How sad to see this.

Louise

Poor baby. She is just precious! I wish I knew of something that could help her. The only thing I can think of is to take LadyJane up on her offer of the surgeon's contact info. In the meantime, maybe she can be put in a life jacket and have some water PT and then some massage.

Hope you'll update us on this sweet girl!

Did the vet say this was swimmers?

So glad you are connecting with ladyjanes surgeon on this.

The OP has not returned. I ended up posting on FB. Hopefully they will contact him...he is the best!