Gracie needs surgery!
 

I just got the results of Gracie's knee x-rays. She has a grade III luxating patella on the right and a grade II on the left, surgery is recommended for BOTH. The surgeon is there today so the vet is going to chat with him to get more info. I am so upset. I feared this may be the outcome but it is so very hard to face. My poor little baby girl! I will probably schedule the first surgery for mid to late January.

I am so sorry to hear this. How old is she?

Nevermind. I found it. Duh!!!

Ahhh...I am so sorry, but don't worry she will be ok. Roxy had to have surgery for LP too.

Are you having surgery by an Ortho Specialist? Are you going to do both legs at the same time?

Oh, I am so sorry for both of you. Prayers for excellent professionals to give her the very best care.

I am so sad to hear this .

I'm so sorry.:( I didn't know they did surgery on II's as a rule.

I am sorry your little girl needs surgery. Will pray that all goes well.

Oh Melonie, my heat goes out to you :( I don't know much about LP but sure see a lot of our furbabies here that have it :( I shall be praying for you and GM :(

An orthopedic specialist will do the surgery. I do not yet know if both will be done at the same time. Part of me thinks it might be easier to do both at once, then there would be only one anesthesia and one recovery period. I might know more today after my vet talks with the surgeon.

I am here in your area and Bruce also has had both knees done? What surgeon are you going to go see?

I know this is hard, but it has made a huge difference for Bruce he runs like never before and you can tell there is nothing holding him back now!

People have different opins about doing 1 leg or doing 2 at the same time. I have to be honest with you, I am for both at the same time. The recovery period is rough for everyone involved. A few Vets told me that when they are tiny they recovery quickly so both legs at the same time is ok.

Roxy had her bi-lateral surgery and the surgeon only deepened the groves and tightened the ligaments. She felt Roxy would be fine just doing that, well after 6 weeks, Roxy right leg started to luxate again, so surgery once again to do the standard cut and pin LP surgery. Another 10 week recovery down time. Just a few months ago, her left leg has started to luxate again, I am not looking forward to a #3 surgery.

Anyway, my point being, recovery is rough, they must be limited and contained, but as the weeks go by they get better and better. When Roxy was going in for her 2nd surgery, it was killing to me think about that long 10 week recovery all over again, and I cringe thinking that we have to do it once more....

Yes, I forgot to mention the BEST part - After surgery and recovery, what a difference - Roxy is a BRAND NEW GIRL - I am so glad we made her better.

Iam so sorry about gracie, will say a prayer for you both.

I am so sorry to hear about little Roxy. 3 surgeries? That is too much for anyone. I wish her the best.

I don't know the name of the surgeon. He apparently travels from vet clinic to vet clinic doing the surgery. It is my understanding that the regular vet does the pre and post-op care, consulting with the specialist as necessary. I just want to get this behind her, and me! I am so glad that Bruce did so well with his surgery.

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear this. :( Prayers for a speedy recovery.

:( I am so sorry about little Gracie. Our prayers are with her during her up coming surgery. Rocky:animal-pa Rosie:animal-pa Romeo:animal-pa and Darlene

I am sorry to hear this. Hugs to you both.

I hope the surgery and the recovery go well.

Poor Gracie! But I have to tell 'ya, she'll be fine. Rebel had surgery on his left leg before he was a year old and did great. The surgeon is waiting on the right one, because it's not as bad.



Good luck to you both:)

Bruce went to agape vetrinary specialty center in Lynwood. They actually took care of all the aspects of his care but kept his regular vet informed. So it seems way more convenient how you are doing it. If for some reason you are unhappy with your surgeon I highly highly reccomend Dr. Steven Stoll, he is a really well known orthopedic surgeon in our area and nationally and he really went out of his way to give Bruce personalized care. From the pre op appointments on. He called me himself after surgery and the day after when he was still at the hospital. He knew I was scared to leave Bruce and he actually had the whole staff say a prayer for him, AND HE IS THE ONLY VET BRUCE IS NOT AFRAID OF.

He had both legs done at once, and boy was it hard for the first couple of weeks. Basically he had to be crated nonstop and because he had both done potty time was difficult. You could tell though that each day he got a little better.

TIPS:

The surgery although it spares them pain later hurts fairly badly at first (Gracie will hopefully be sent home with a little pain medicine patch on her butt so you do not have to try to force feed it) so she may not be likely to want to eat her regular food. Bruce refused his for 2 days so I cooked boiled hamburger and rice and he ate that great.

Go for the after therapy. Bruce did water therapy where he walked on a treadmill underwater (to relieve preassure) and it really helped speed his recovery.

Try to do activities where she can just sit next to you instead of being crated all the time, like sit on the floor on a pillow and watch TV or something, trust me she will thank you.

Zada has grade 3 in both knees and they were operated on at the same time. Azrael has grade 2, but she's had that for almost three years and it hasn't changed. My Vet. doesn't like operating on a grade 2 unless they are in some kind of pain. I hope you can get just the grade 3 done instead of both.

I feel for you both. I dreaded the recovery from a spay. That was nothing compared to both legs. I wouldn't know if I should do both at once or not. It is good to hear from the people who have been through it and can give you guidance.

Thank you so much for all of this info. Knowing what to expect helps so much. I will try and remember to ask my vet what the surgeon's name is. Thanks much for the referral. Lynnwood is only 10 minutes or so from my work. I have some time to think about things.

:thumbup: good info!

I too would ask to have them both done at the same time. even tho one leg is only a grade two, if you don't have it done at the same time it will only get worse quicker because it will have to compensate for the grade 3 leg while its healing. best to have it done and over with all at the same time.

I also recommend having it done at a 24 hour clinic so she can be on IV pain meds all night long and under constant supervision. I don't know if your regular vet offers this? the patch on the butt is called a fentanyl patch and its excellent for pain management. They usually get rimadyl to go home with as well. During and after surgery orthopedic patients are usually put on a high pain med drip to help them rest and sleep.

good luck with her surgery

I'm very sorry to hear this. I'll pray for little gracie

Prayers coming your way.

I'm sorry to hear this. Sending prayer Gracie way!

Awwww I am so sorry to her that! Bella sends her love to her little GE buddy She said she hopes she feels all better soon

Diggy said sorry pretty girl! :(

you got that right- recovery is rough. I would strongly advise you getting a play pen. walmart has a nice one less than 30.00. My little one had the surgery and it was hell to get her through it. i moved the play pen all over the house (it had wheels) in the bedroom she slept in it next to my bed. I padded it real good and put her fav blanket and toy in their wth her. after the surgery they are down for a few weeks. The first week was murder for us, after that- "keeping" them down becomes rough bc it is the scar tissue that forms that helps the surgery be sucessful. my little one had a rough time bc they sent us home without torbetrol (pain meds) make sure you leave the vet after surgery with the pain meds.

i have pics of my little ones surgery-if i can figure out how to do it I will post them in a few days.

I am so sorry to hear that Gracie will have to have surgery. I will pray for a successful surgery and a fast uneventful recovery.