Uni diagnosed with luxating patella stage 3

[capt_noonie]

I feel sick to my stomach, and I am so upset. As some of you know we took Uni to the beach on Sunday. On monday I noticed she was walking a little funny, skipping. I asked bf if he noticed, of course he said no. Then this morning when she needed to go to potty at around 7:30 am I put her down on the floor and opened the door and walked out. She usually follows me. I went down a few steps and turned around and saw she only took a few steps and was peeking out from behind the corner. So I picked her up and carried her downstairs to go potty. As she did her circles I noticed she was limping BIG time. It was on her left side. I freaked out.

I went back upstairs with her and told bf what i saw and that I was going to take her to the vet today. I couldn't go back to sleep. Uni went right back to sleep I think. We got up around 9:30 and I tried to show bf how she was walking, but now went back to the skipping walk she was doing on monday that bf thought looked like nothing. I had Uni do a little slow run to show him, and finally he saw the skip. He still didn't think it was a big deal and that she's tough and she'll be fine. But I said I'm going anyway, just to know, and plus she needs her shots to get up to date.

I have always known about LP and that she had it, but never was told what stage (from my old Banfield vet) b/c she was too young still and he said it may not get worse. Well I took her to my humane society vet today, whom I like and trust very much. I told him we went to the beach, etc. etc. he checked her spine and everything, and when he got to the knees he said LP, which I knew already but was afraid of the diagnosis. I asked what stage, he said 3, surgery highly recommended. Her kneecaps come out very easily and go back easily.

I am so upset, that i tried reading some threads here to see what others have done about their babies, but I can't get myself to really read. It's not just the money (which is tight now anyway) but I would feel like a terrible mommy if i don't do this for her. If I don't she will get arthritis, then for sure she will be in pain. She is only 2 1/2 years. I know bf doesn't want to get it b/c of the money. He grew up with a family that never s/n their dogs, hardly did anything for them, basically irresponsible pet owners. Even though Uni is his baby too, he doesn't share my concern with this.

Also the vet said limit activity, but how can I with Uni? She is a little rocket! And a jumper! So now I am neurotically obsessive about her jumping around places. i know I did not cause this to happen to her, but somehow I feel responsible.

What did you do when you found out? How many got surgery for stage 3? Both her knees are stage 3. She's not in any physical pain, but I know she will be in her future years if I don't do this. *big sigh*

[mimimomo]

So sorry Uni has LP! I don't know too much about this, but Mom to Hot Rod & a few others just recently went through LP surgery w/their babies. Hopefully, they'll see this thread, or maybe you can PM them.

[QuickSilver]

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about LP either, but I wish little Uni the best.

[Sharly4]

I am sorry she is going through this. I know how you must feel. As fur parents we want to take care of them the best we can. We see them as our children and would never want our children in any pain. I will pray for you and your furbaby.

[Patti]

Sorry to hear about Uni's LP. My cali has grade 4 LP in both legs but she has never limped or lifted her back legs. My vet and I discussed it and with Cali's other medical problems we decided to take a watchful waiting. She is 4 now and has never shown any symptoms other than her legs when she stands are bent a little. I have always used ramps and stairs so she never jumps off of furniture. My vet said she had a dog that lived to be 14 years old with grade 4 and never needed surgery. This is just the situation with Cali and you have to go with your vet's and your decision. I hope she feels better soon.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Patti

Sorry to hear about Uni's LP. My cali has grade 4 LP in both legs but she has never limped or lifted her back legs. My vet and I discussed it and with Cali's other medical problems we decided to take a watchful waiting. She is 4 now and has never shown any symptoms other than her legs when she stands are bent a little. I have always used ramps and stairs so she never jumps off of furniture. My vet said she had a dog that lived to be 14 years old with grade 4 and never needed surgery. This is just the situation with Cali and you have to go with your vet's and your decision. I hope she feels better soon.

Thanks for your input Patti, that made me feel a little better. She has never limped or lifted her leg like this before. So I'm guessing it was too much fun at the beach on sunday. I just spoke with one of my customers. Turns out he is a vet tech at an animal hospital just up the road from me. As soon as he saw Uni he asked if she was limping, and I told him what happened. He said a lot of times on small breed dogs the surgeries don't always come out well, or they have to do it again down the road. he said his boss (the DVM) has a mini dachsund (sp?) that has LP and decided against surgery for his dog. He also offered me to come in and will waive the office visit fee for me too, so i can get an second opinion.

Meanwhile, Uni still wants to play like crazy and I feel bad for not letting her. She still wants to jump up and down on things, and she is so fast I don't even get to her in time to put her up or down on the chairs and stuff.

Thanks to everyone for your sweet thoughts and wishes for Uni.

[Nico29]

I was just looking at your sweet girl playing at the beach today. Poor baby! If it was a question of the money....I would do whatever it took. Sell anything I had. I will pray for you and your little Uni.

[Nico29]

cont'd
I really hope you do not need the surgery and that she feels better soon!

[sarahheartmaddy]

I am so sorry to hear about poor Uni. How much is the surgery? I wish there was something I could do to help. I am sending good thoughts your way.

[capt_noonie]

Thanks for your thoughts. I have calmed down a lot more now after the initial shock. I felt like I was gonna pass out for awhile. Cost of surgery can range depending on where it is done. The vet tech that I just talked to said his DVM charges about $1500, but another place said about $2700. I am still going to get a second opinion. After I've read some more threads, it seems there are doggies out there who don't get the surgery and are still ok. Uni doesn't have any pain, but in the future it may be in her cards.

[Hollee]

Poor Uni I am sorry! Hopefully she will be fine without the surgery. Think positive

[yorkshiremom]

I am sorry to hear about Uni. Sadie just had LP surgery on both knees (one was grade 4 the other grade 3) a week ago yesterday. I hesitated at first because I didn't want her to go through surgery at all but when two surgeons told me they would have it done if she was theirs I scheduled immediately. The first 5 days post surgery were tough but each day is getting better for both of us. Please let me know if you have any questions. Hope Uni feels better soon!

[Judy in Waco]

I am so sorry about her LP. I don't have any advice, just wanted to send you some hugs.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I feel sick to my stomach, and I am so upset. As some of you know we took Uni to the beach on Sunday. On monday I noticed she was walking a little funny, skipping. I asked bf if he noticed, of course he said no. Then this morning when she needed to go to potty at around 7:30 am I put her down on the floor and opened the door and walked out. She usually follows me. I went down a few steps and turned around and saw she only took a few steps and was peeking out from behind the corner. So I picked her up and carried her downstairs to go potty. As she did her circles I noticed she was limping BIG time. It was on her left side. I freaked out.

I went back upstairs with her and told bf what i saw and that I was going to take her to the vet today. I couldn't go back to sleep. Uni went right back to sleep I think. We got up around 9:30 and I tried to show bf how she was walking, but now went back to the skipping walk she was doing on monday that bf thought looked like nothing. I had Uni do a little slow run to show him, and finally he saw the skip. He still didn't think it was a big deal and that she's tough and she'll be fine. But I said I'm going anyway, just to know, and plus she needs her shots to get up to date.

I have always known about LP and that she had it, but never was told what stage (from my old Banfield vet) b/c she was too young still and he said it may not get worse. Well I took her to my humane society vet today, whom I like and trust very much. I told him we went to the beach, etc. etc. he checked her spine and everything, and when he got to the knees he said LP, which I knew already but was afraid of the diagnosis. I asked what stage, he said 3, surgery highly recommended. Her kneecaps come out very easily and go back easily.

I am so upset, that i tried reading some threads here to see what others have done about their babies, but I can't get myself to really read. It's not just the money (which is tight now anyway) but I would feel like a terrible mommy if i don't do this for her. If I don't she will get arthritis, then for sure she will be in pain. She is only 2 1/2 years. I know bf doesn't want to get it b/c of the money. He grew up with a family that never s/n their dogs, hardly did anything for them, basically irresponsible pet owners. Even though Uni is his baby too, he doesn't share my concern with this.

Also the vet said limit activity, but how can I with Uni? She is a little rocket! And a jumper! So now I am neurotically obsessive about her jumping around places. i know I did not cause this to happen to her, but somehow I feel responsible.

What did you do when you found out? How many got surgery for stage 3? Both her knees are stage 3. She's not in any physical pain, but I know she will be in her future years if I don't do this. *big sigh*

Oh I am so sorry to hear about Uni! Yes, we went thru lp surgery for Hot Rod. When you go to this 2nd vet, make sure that he takes xrays. Also make sure that he knows how to correctly read them. I don't mean to kick a gift horse in the mouth as it is very nice of him to be doing you a favor but it wouldn't be helpful if the diagnosis isn't right on.

Having said all of that, our normal vet did not want to speculate on the xrays and recommended immediately to make an appt with the ortho surgeon. The surgeon immediately diagnosed and took some more rays and discovered that Hot Rod's ligament was on the side of his leg and his little leg was bowed because of it. Our normal vet was not sure if he was having a hip issue or if it was lp, which incidentally went from a grade 1 in Nov (at his annual checkup) to a 3 in March.

You could also find out about physical therapy. I've heard that it could be very helpful. In Hot Rod's case, his knee cap needed to be deepened and ligament realigned. His surgery was 3/31/09 and hubby just (last week) took him back because he's been skipping and limping alot. Good news is that the surgeon gave him thumbs up and said that his leg should be good to go and he should not have any knee problems every again. He said the the skipping and limping is probably Hot Rod favouring it from remembering the pain. Maggie also attacks him and jumps on his hind part quite a bit so taking all of that into consideration, he's doing really well. We walk just about 1 1/2 miles a day...still short of what we used to do but I am slowly getting him back up to that.

In our case also, Hot Rod will not have any issues with arthritis so I am very happy. Please make sure you find a qualified ortho surgeon that you feel comfortable with and ask any and all questions that you may have. I can say that I am very glad we went thru with it but it was definitely a different story during his 6 week recovery period. Whew! Also, money being what it is today, we got Care credit to help with the cost of surgery. Coincidentally, I jsut made the last payment tonight! lol. Feel free to pm with any questions. Good luck and I hope little Uni stays well. Hugs to you and Uni.

[DvlshAngel985]

I'm sorry Uni has been diagnosed with grade 3 LP. I remember enjoying watching her have fun at the beach.
Mom to Hot Rod, you're soo sweet to share your experience and offer to share with her your experience.