There are a lot of vets who are doing these surgeries...probably way more than should be. I would never let a regular vet do orthopedic surgery on my pups. I have seen the bad results that often come.

Not saying this is not a good vet....it is just that I have seen some real botch jobs. Matter of fact, I have a foster that was operated on by a regular vet....the owners did not have the money to go to a specialist, so they bargain shopped and sadly he paid the price for it. The leg never healed and six months later he came to me a mess. He had to have bone grafting done and had to crate rest for a few months.

Just be careful. I wish you well.

Thank you. If we had a specialist near, that's where Sydney would be going. I love her dearly and want the best for her. From what I'm finding, this vet is the best in the area. Please keep Syd in your prayers.

Will definitely do that! Please keep us updated! :)

If Sydney isn't hobbling (she did limp a couple times, though) would it be considered a Grade 3 & 4? She moves around without displaying any problems. What do you think? I'm not trying to get out of the surgery for Syd, I just need to make sure I'm doing the right thing for her.

Your vet should be able to tell you the grade

i should have explained better. She was diagnosed by two vets with Grade 3 in the back right knee and Grade 4 in the back left knee.

Okay you are considering major surgery on your little one. If you look out over future time, what is the cost of a drive of 7 hours or more and one night even two in a motel, to secure the best qualified surgeon to do this operation, perhaps an additional $300 more on a surgery cost of say $2k or $3K. If the chances are very good that your baby will get the right surgery the first time and heal up well, and live a happy bouncy life for 10 or more years? The additional $300 is only $30 a year, not much when your think about it.

If there is any way you could swing finding a great ortho surgeon, then I say go for it. If baby is uncomfy with car rides go one day early so she and you can recoup.

She is nine months old, not limping and has grade 3 and grade 4? Are you sure about that? It really sounds not right to me, but hey....I am merely a lay person.

We'll keep Sydney in our prayers. I know you're worried. That's natural. She's adorable.:)

Thank you. Her surgery is scheduled for Monday, March 29. I keep thinking I should wait, but both vets said it's better to do it sooner while she's young. I'm torn.

Why are you torn? If she is having that much of a problem in walking, then it is better to do it now.

Actually, she's only limped a couple of times. Mostly, she's all puppy and a holy terror, which I love. She acts as if nothing is wrong with her knees. I'm torn because should I bother her knees if they don't appear to be bothering her? Should I put her through weeks of recovery? But can I just stand by and watch her get worse? Nobody likes to see their babies in pain.

I am not meaning to question your vet....but, I have to say that I am wondering if you misunderstood what grade these knees are. I find it incredibly difficult to understand how this puppy could have knees that bad without ever having symptoms.

Again, I have spoken at length with a board certified surgeon who said that the trend now is away from so many surgeries...NOT saying yours is not needed. I just would want to hear it from a specialist if it were my pup.

Here is another website to look at regarding LP:


Luxating Patellas

Thank you for the website. It was very informational.

When the second vet examined Sydney, she said her back left knee was out of its socket and when she put it back in, it popped back out. Just now looking at Syd as she standing, staring out the window, her left back paw is slightly turned inward. The vet said this was the medial luxating patella. But she's not limping, although she has for no reason a couple of times. For those with Yorkies that had the surgery, did arthritis set in right away? Or did it hold off?

Did you read the article I posted earlier? If she has grade 3-4 luxations, arthritis is much more of a concern if you don't get the surgery done soon.

Grade 4: The patella is not only out of place all the time but cannot even be manipulated back into place by hand. Such a dog has extreme difficulty extending his knees and walks with his knees bent virtually all the time.

It is not a good thing to have one’s knee cap out of place; the entire weight-bearing stress of the rear leg is altered which, in time, leads to changes in the hips, long bones, and ultimately arthritis. How severe the changes are depend on how severe the luxation is (i.e. the grade as described above) and how long that degree of luxation has been going on. In time, the legs will actually turn outward with its muscles turning inward, making the dog “bow-legged.” The luxation is not considered a painful condition but after enough time and conformational change, arthritis sets in, which is indeed painful.

Medial Luxating Patella

I would keep her on Cosequin afterwards to help prevent arthritis.

You will have to do what you feel comfortable doing and if I were to have surgery I agree with what others have said and that is to go to a qualified specialty vet that is more experienced in this surgery instead of your regular vet...However, I have one yorkie that has a grade 3 and now a grade 4 and I have chosen "NOT" to elect surgery because my yorkie shows no sign of pain nor does she limp as long as her weight is under control and I limit her running and jumping which I've been able to succeed with for over a couple of years now. I have another yorkie with grade 3 in both knees and again no signs of pain or limping and I still have chosen not to elect for surgery because as long as they are not in pain and showing signs of slowing them down I will not to elect to have surgery.
I will control it with weight management, supplements and watching the jumping...my vet encourages exercise and the glucosmine as a great source of supplements to help with their knees and they are over the age of 4 and still doing great :)
Again, this is what I'm doing and is by no means trying to tell anyone this is what they should do...BUT if you do I would go to a specialist..

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Daisy does not have arthritis and she had the surgery before she was a year old. She will be 10 in September. She runs around like a puppy with Teddy :)

You guys are wonderful. I feel so much better. I think I will proceed with the surgery, just for the fact that Sydney has shown symptoms. She is such a happy puppy and I want to keep her that way for many years to come. Thank you again.

My apologies, LadyJane. I had read the article. It was very good, but please understand, I have read many articles on this issue in just two days. The information you sent has helped me with my decision, and I can't thank you enough for it.

Sincerely,


Sonya

Why apologize to me? I merely said what I do with my pups....I don't ever tell anyone what to do...nor do I expect them to do what I do.

I'm pretty sure Kirby was actually referring to an earlier post by Ladymom...not Ladyjane! ;)-;)

Yes. Sorry once again. I meant LadyMom.

Good luck to you. She's a little doll!:p

Hi Kirby...

Oh, wow, the UP huh? Yes, that is far!! Lansing would be ideal as MSU has an incredible vet program and they are AMAZING! But I see your problem, 8 hours is VERY long to be in the car and then have a surgery, then drive back...the drive back would be horrible!:(

I wanted to ask you if the vet recommended you put your pup on Glucosamine supplements?? They are great and really help to lubricate the ligaments and reduce the patella to luxate. We use Dasuquin and Snick takes it daily and will for the rest of his life. Many people who has pups with LP use it prior to surgery and it has helped so much the decided not to do the surgery. This is something you can try.

I know how hard this is!! xoxoxo
Snick & Viv

Thank you, Vivian. I'm calling the vet today about the Glucosamine supplements. That's a good idea.

I am more so now nervous about the surgery. Yesterday, I lost my little chinchilla. He was with us for eight years. I miss him and I don't know what I would do if something happened to Sydney.

Thank you again for all the great support and information.

Sincerely,


Sonya

I wish you well with your surgery. It is never easy to know if your decision is the correct one but you can only do what you feel is best for your baby. If you have references and you are comfortable with the vet, then by all means this should be the route for you.

Trust me, I have told others that 85% of your anxiety will be gone once you get that phone call telling you she is waking up from her surgery. the next 10% will leave once she is back in your arms. I recommend to have someone there who will be listening to the doctors instructions or writing them done because I know in my case, I just wanted to hold and kiss my baby. Thankfully hubby was there and was listening. Also, make sure to write down questions prior to picking her up...this way you will not forget anything. Ask about pain meds, administering them, movement, therapy and how much activitiy Syd can have. Best of luck to you and Sydney. We're here for you both. Hugs.

Thank you, Mom-to-Hot-Rod. I am writing down all of your suggested questions. They fit the bill. Also, I have started Sydney on Glucosamine called K-9 Liquid Health. I found it at the pet store. I put a teaspoon on her food. I also have her started on dry Evo with fish because the bag said it's good for joint health. She was on the chicken and turkey dry Evo, which she loves. I put a bit of the new Evo with the old and she ate it.

Thank you again for your help.

Are you sure the glucosamine you bought has enough to get the therapeutic benefits? Some of the less expensive off brands don't contain enough to do any good. A dog up to 10 pounds needs 250-300 mg per day.

I'd really suggest Cosequin:

Cosequin Regular Strength (90 capsules)

Thank you, LadyMom. This is the information on the Glucosamine that I bought today:

Back Label

If you get a chance, could you look it over, please?

Thank you again.

My math is so terrible, but that looks to be about the right amount.

I'd still suggest getting Cosequin when this bottle is finished. All glucosamine supplements aren't created equal. Most of us here seem to use Cosequin, I think.