Is there anything a vet might do for this leg issue? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ladyjane · 04-01-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

You can't see a torn ligament with an x-ray. An experienced ortho can tell based on the way that the bones are aligned and whether they are able to manipulate the joint in a certain way.

After Jezebel tore her CCL, she did not limp all of the time. During her exam with the ortho, she even got loose out of the back door of the exam room and ran around the vet clinic. Yet, the pictures from the little orthroscopic camera used during the repair surgery just a few days later showed broken strands from the ligament floating free in the synovial fluid in the joint.

Those specialists are VERY busy. I mean really, really busy. They have no need to recommend surgery that is not needed just to get extra cha-ching, there are plenty of animals with legitimate injuries to keep them booked up.

That being said, you may find out that there is no tear and that all the problems are due to LP, and at that age a surgeon probably wouldn't recommend surgery unless the LP was at stage IV. No jumping, etc.

But you really need to know. LP only with no tear, good news. CCL tear, not so good but it does need intervention or it will tear further and eventually wear down the meniscus (in as little as 6 months) and cause lameness. If it is a tear, you really want to take care of it before it starts to wear down that cushioning between the femur and tibia/fibula.

Knowledge is power. By not knowing you could be taking a big risk.

maggiefromnj · 04-01-2015, 01:33 PM

Ok. I will get on this tomorrow

ladyjane · 04-01-2015, 02:33 PM

How about the University of Pennsylvania? They have a vet hospital.

dinkster · 04-01-2015, 02:47 PM

I don't know the prognosis for your pup, but Dinky just had LP and ligament surgery about a week and a half ago.

Taking him to a board certified veterinary orthopedic surgeon is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

This vet does surgery every day and is used to dealing with complications. He is up to date on techniques, and he is prepared to deal with a small dog.

The surgeon charged us a single price for surgery and follow up visits, the regular vet would charge for those. In the end, the surgeon was hundreds of dollars less than the vet, but if it had been more for the surgeon, I think it would be worth it.

Also know that dogs don't like to show pain. Sometimes when the inflammation goes down, it seems they are better, but then they use it again and it reoccurs.
Hope it all works out!

maggiefromnj · 04-01-2015, 05:22 PM

Thanks, I found a board certified one, Dr. Garzotto Animal Surgery Center, South Jersey that I don't have to go to Philly for. Car rides might not be good for her leg as she stands in her snoozer to look out the window and you never know what you're in to as you drive from Jersey to Philly and back. I always drive very carefully with her, no sudden stops.

I don't know how to play with her. She likes us to throw her ball and her toys and she zooms after then and brings them back. Tug of war with a toy works too. If I lie on the floor and hold the toy in my hand she will stand on her hind legs to get the toy in my hand (elbow on floor, hand up in air) She will sort of hump my arm while chewing on the toy. This is the only humping action she has ever really done. It is usually hubby who plays this game, but he is away. I'm pretty sure none of this is recommended right now. I found 2 unused bully stick which may entertain her a little bit.

The office has to call me back, but I may be able to get in there on next Thursday. I don't think this qualifies as an emergency.

ladyjane · 04-01-2015, 05:27 PM

Great! Hope the appointment goes well!

MissSunni · 04-02-2015, 05:57 AM

Good luck with your puppy. I wonder if taking her on more frequent shorter walks would help with her excess energy. I know its really hard to keep them still when they should be taking it easy. Its hard to think of things to occupy them that doesn't make them run and jump. I haven't gotten this yet, but what about that Hide a Squirrel toy? Seems like a good one to keep her busy for a little while.

maggiefromnj · 04-02-2015, 03:46 PM

She gets the squirrels our really fast, then brings them to us for us to throw them for her! Sometimes she has to shake them to death when she get them before she brings it for us to throw. She has us well trained. When she is done chasing them she will lie down with one and chew its ears off. She has had hours of ear chewing fun as we are on probably our 3rd or 4th set of the little buggers.

04-01-2015, 02:33 PM	#18
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	How about the University of Pennsylvania? They have a vet hospital. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

04-01-2015, 05:27 PM	#21
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	Great! Hope the appointment goes well! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

04-01-2015, 01:33 PM	#17
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	Ok. I will get on this tomorrow

04-01-2015, 02:47 PM	#19
dinkster YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 344	I don't know the prognosis for your pup, but Dinky just had LP and ligament surgery about a week and a half ago. Taking him to a board certified veterinary orthopedic surgeon is one of the best decisions I have ever made. This vet does surgery every day and is used to dealing with complications. He is up to date on techniques, and he is prepared to deal with a small dog. The surgeon charged us a single price for surgery and follow up visits, the regular vet would charge for those. In the end, the surgeon was hundreds of dollars less than the vet, but if it had been more for the surgeon, I think it would be worth it. Also know that dogs don't like to show pain. Sometimes when the inflammation goes down, it seems they are better, but then they use it again and it reoccurs. Hope it all works out!

04-01-2015, 05:22 PM	#20
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	Thanks, I found a board certified one, Dr. Garzotto Animal Surgery Center, South Jersey that I don't have to go to Philly for. Car rides might not be good for her leg as she stands in her snoozer to look out the window and you never know what you're in to as you drive from Jersey to Philly and back. I always drive very carefully with her, no sudden stops. I don't know how to play with her. She likes us to throw her ball and her toys and she zooms after then and brings them back. Tug of war with a toy works too. If I lie on the floor and hold the toy in my hand she will stand on her hind legs to get the toy in my hand (elbow on floor, hand up in air) She will sort of hump my arm while chewing on the toy. This is the only humping action she has ever really done. It is usually hubby who plays this game, but he is away. I'm pretty sure none of this is recommended right now. I found 2 unused bully stick which may entertain her a little bit. The office has to call me back, but I may be able to get in there on next Thursday. I don't think this qualifies as an emergency.

04-02-2015, 05:57 AM	#22
MissSunni YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NJ USA Posts: 492	Good luck with your puppy. I wonder if taking her on more frequent shorter walks would help with her excess energy. I know its really hard to keep them still when they should be taking it easy. Its hard to think of things to occupy them that doesn't make them run and jump. I haven't gotten this yet, but what about that Hide a Squirrel toy? Seems like a good one to keep her busy for a little while.

04-02-2015, 03:46 PM	#23
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	She gets the squirrels our really fast, then brings them to us for us to throw them for her! Sometimes she has to shake them to death when she get them before she brings it for us to throw. She has us well trained. When she is done chasing them she will lie down with one and chew its ears off. She has had hours of ear chewing fun as we are on probably our 3rd or 4th set of the little buggers.