An eventful day and another LP discussion, long
 

Last night I gave Demi a peanut. I expected her to chew it, but evidently she just swallowed it. She started coughing and I was afraid she was choking. After a minute, she was fine. But then the rest of the night, she had occasional bouts of coughing. I was afraid the peanut had gotten caught in her trachea.

By bedtime, she'd stopped coughing... and started wheezing. Only when active, though -- at rest, she was fine. First thing this a.m., I called my vet, but I couldn't get an appointment. He's a one-man show. This is the second time I haven't been able to get in during an emergency, so I called a different vet and went there.

The new vet is a clinic with 8 vets, the latest equipment, and a 24-hour vet tech available by phone. It's also closer to my new house than the old vet.

Demi was X-rayed and no peanut was found. The vet should me a web of capillaries that were stressed, she said, from trauma. She said that an 'event' had occurred -- meaning the choking -- but that Demi's trachea didn't show any distress and that the peanut wasn't there. It was so weird to see Demi as an X-ray! I was tempted to ask for a copy so I could frame it -- that wouldn't be weird, would it? :eek:

Ultimately, the vet gave Demi pills that are an anti-inflammatory with a low level of steroid in them and told me to watch her progress.

However, the vet also said that Demi has a grade 2 or 3 luxating patella in one leg. The old vet had also diagnosed grade 2 LP, but he said no surgery was necessary.

The new vet, however, said that the friction of the joint popping in and out would cause the bones to callus and enlarge, and if the knee is left alone then after a while Demi will be in pain and the results of any surgery at that point are not likely to be highly successful.

The vet pointed out that Demi is only 6 and has a lot of years ahead of her to go through with a bad leg.

Everything the vet said made sense to me.

The vet referred me to an orthopedic veterinary surgeon who has the latest equipment (an orthoscope (?) that enables him to work miracles, evidently). The surgeon's vet practice is called Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group. Who knew that dogs needed sports medicine?!

Anyway, this surgeon will charge about $500 more than the regular orthopedic surgeon, but I figure once I'm spending $2500, I might as well spend $3000 and get the best. I'm not rolling in dough, but Demi is my little heart.

So I guess I'll consult with the doggie sports doctor and see what he says.

Does anyone have insight or comments about this situation?

Thanks!

I am sorry you are going through this with your baby, on the other hand I love it when a Vet refers to a specialist, and they can admit this is not my thing and this is where you go. (my Vet referred us to someone else for Milo's hip surgery) Go and see the specialist, ask for referrals and call people and see if you can meet there dogs that had the surgery. A good Vet is going to understand your concerns and work with you.

Good Luck

No insight but I'm sorry you are having a rough time with your baby. It sounds like you are on top of the LP and will make the right decisions. Hugs from me and Lucy...

If the orthopaedic surgeon is able to do the surgery arthroscopically and it is anything like the people surgery, recovery is signficantly less than a full incidion would be. I think that might be worth the extra $500, especially if he is the best!!

I agree with this new vet. I've heard too many stories of people taking a "wait & see" attitude with luxating patellas only to find out that the damage has progressed too much for any success from surgery.

I'd definitely consult with the specialist.

Thanks so much for the replies! I was already thinking that the operation should be done sooner than later, but it helped me to hear all of your thoughts on this. Spending $3K on a problem that isn't a serious *yet* is a bit hard to wrap my mind around, so the posts here helped me feel comfortable with my decision to get this over with asap.

Now I'm dreading the anasthesia. I'm terrified that there will be a mistake and I'll lose my dog. I got her at a crucial and horrible point in my life, and honestly, she was the only reason I had to keep moving forward for quite a long time. All dogs are special, but she's especially special to me! I think I would fall apart without her.

You are making the BEST decision. LP shouldn't be viewed as a wait and see. I feel this way b/c it will not get better on it's own, it will however only get worse and when it is worse you can not get back what is lost, therefore, it is critical to repair early.

She will do fine. Read up on the after care as it is VERY important. I have been through 3 LP surgeries, so if you need to talk, I am here for you.

Wow!!........orthoscopic!! (sp??)....... Shelby had LP surgery on Feb 21 and is still in the recovery process. I am really interested in hearing more about this procedure! Please keep us posted...... and best of Luck to you and your "baby"!

I agree as well I had the surgery done on Lily at 9 months old even thought the problem was minimal, yes some people wait and that is fine for them and their situation but with Lily the vet said swelling and bad arthritis was a definite in her future if the surgery was not done.

I agree with you ten hundred %. LP will NOT get better on its own. My Codie had LP in both rear legs (but it was disgnosed at different times) and both times we had the surgery done within 1 month of the disgnosis. My vet felt it was very important to do the surgery immediately to prevent further damage to the knee and joints. The knee cap is a very complete part of the body. It just isn't 1 bone. If you do a google search, you'll see just how important it is.

I totally agree with the advice this new vet gave you. It's exactly what my vet said to me. I spent $3,000 on both of Codie's knees (not counting the money I spent on phsyical therapy after the procedure) and it's the best money I ever spent on him. He's like a new dog again. :D BEST OF LUCK to you and your little one. Please keep us updated.