Moose's LP Surgery Update, Need Opinions!
 

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for listening and all of the helpful info and advice! :D

Moose had his initial consult this morning for his LP surgery. Everything went very well I was very impressed with the surgeon, his staff and the facility. Dr. Erne sat down with me for nearly an hour and answered every single thing on my 3 page question sheet and then some! He played with Moose and went over every aspect of the preparation, surgery, and recovery; so much so that I could probably perform it haha! ;) Overall I am extremely confident about my choice of surgeon and feel very at ease with Moose in their care.

Moose's grade of luxation in his right hind leg is grade 3 and clearly the worst in that his suffering is very visible. However, his left leg is grade 2- right on the border of operating vs. not-operating. I haven't noticed many visible symptoms in his left leg because I've been focusing so intently on his right. Our normal veternarian told me that his LP was in both legs so I assumed both legs would need surgery. Dr. Erne says that this decision is up to me and he advised operating only on Moose's right leg. But he also explained that the grade 2 in his left could progress to grade 3/4 and require a second surgery. It is very difficult to figure out whether his left leg is causing him pain because his symptoms are coming mostly from the right leg. But Dr. Erne said there could be pain and limping in both but it manifests itself in the right leg because its the worse of the two!

Of course I don't want to operate on the left unless it is necessary but I also don't want to go through a long and difficult recovery just to have to do it all over again! If only Moose could answer my question!

I only want opinions because were all Yorkie parents and want the best for them! Which is worse.. operating on a leg that may or may not develop into a severe grade or waiting and then possibly having to go through a second surgery? :confused:

Thanks everyone!!

If it was me, I would only have surgery in the right leg and add glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate supplements. He may go all the rest of his life without the left leg getting any worse.

i would still get it done on both legs. if only one is done usually after surgery they depend on the non-surgical leg the most which in turn causes that leg to get worse quicker since they are using it the most. so a lot of the time after recovery is over a few months later surgery just needs to be performed again on the other leg. that is just my opinion tho.

it sounds like you found a great surgeon!

:thumbup:

I would lean towards agreeing with this opinion.

Thanks for your input guys!

I actually spoke with Moose's regular vet for a long time today, she has spent the most time with Moose regarding his LP, and she thinks the best option is to do both legs. She was worried the left leg LP might get worse when he is favoring it after surgery. She also believes that his LP is most likely genetic since it is in both legs and he was diagnosed so young..which would probably mean his left leg would eventually become as bad as his right. I do think the lesser of two evils is going ahead with both to erase the possibility of 2 anesthesia's and 2 long recoverys. So I will discuss this with the surgeon and see what he thinks..and I'll keep everyone posted. : )

quick question for Mom to Hot Rod: how quick can the Softee Cone Collar ship? I thought Moose would have casts without exposed stitches and I didn't order yet..his surgery is scheduled for Thursday as of now. I should've already ordered!

Thanks for the thoughts and advice!