Luxating Patellas - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Kirby · 03-18-2010, 02:37 PM

My poor little girl has Luxating Patellas in both back knees. The vet today said she will need surgery soon. Very upsetting. I just want to cry...again. She's only 9-months-old. I'm thinking about having it done sooner rather than later so she can enjoy the summer. Any thoughts on the surgery and what I should be aware of?

marcerella02 · 03-18-2010, 05:11 PM

Has she shown any signs? limping- pulling up on the leg? MANY yorkies on here (layla included) have LP but because they show no signs they haven't had surgery. Some vets will push the surgery when it is not needed. I would get a second opinion especially if she isn't showing symptoms. The recovery is quite long and you wouldn't want to hav eto put her through that unless she really really needed it

107barney · 03-18-2010, 05:24 PM

My dog Daisy had a Grade 4 luxating patella and needed surgery around the same age. She recovered very nicely - it took about 2 weeks of cage rest and increasing activities after that.

My dog had her evaluation and her surgery by a board certified ASVS veterinarian who specialized in orthopedics. You can check to see if your vet is ASVS board certified by visiting www.acvs.org.

I will note that my dog also has a grade 3 luxating patella in her other rear leg and although it goes completely "out" from time to time, my vet will not do surgery on her UNLESS she becomes COMPLETELY lame. So, when it happens to "go out" and I see her hobbling, she goes on pain medication and cage rest until she is back up and around.

This is a very common issue in the breed and surgery is sometimes necessary but you should make sure your vet takes a conservative approach if your dog is not lame.

viviansnickers · 03-18-2010, 05:29 PM

Hi Kirby...

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup needed LP surgery in both legs.

Snickers had his LP surgery last Nov and is doing tremendously. Please consider the questions asked in the previous post (does your pup show any signs of pain-lifting, limping, etc.) If your pup does not exhibit sins of pain, surgery may not be needed. The fact that Snick was walking on 3 legs and lifting his LP leg constantly made us aware he needed surgery.

I am in MI also (Warren) and our vet is Dr. Lutz at VCA Clinton Twp and she is great. We also did our surgery there with Dr. Gums who is their orthopedic surgeon of choice and we really liked him (he is NOT board certified-some people have a big thing about this, he felt right to us and answered all of our questions to our approval.) The surgery was expensive BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! I realize you are at the beginning stages of potential surgery but just wanted you to know I am here in case you need anything.

Post op is not fun. It is about 2 months of hardship for you and mostly your pup who is in extreme pain (esp the 1st week.) Medication and supervision is constant as well as physical therapy.

Snicky is now good as new, but will still lift from time to time. He did incredible post op, using his leg the day he came home which is the goal. It can take up 2 yrs sometimes longer and sometimes shorter for full recovery.

Please let me know if I can help in any way possible!!
Big hugs!!

Snick & Viv

107barney · 03-18-2010, 05:31 PM

Wow I guess we were lucky - Daisy did not need PT nor meds for pain after a couple of weeks (again grade 4). She is a resilient little dog!

viviansnickers · 03-18-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 107barney

Wow I guess we were lucky - Daisy did not need PT nor meds for pain after a couple of weeks (again grade 4). She is a resilient little dog!

Oh!! I reread what I wrote and want to clarify the meds were only for the 1st 2.5 weeks. PT was for about a 3 weeks. Pt can very since it all depends on how much the pup is using the injured leg. If the injured leg is being used immediately (little limping, no 3 legged walk) then PT will be needed for less time.

Thanks!
Snick & Viv

Kirby · 03-19-2010, 05:55 AM

Thank you, everyone. She has on a couple of occasions lifted her back leg and limped. For the most part, though, she moves around without issues. I have decided to get a second opinion, though. If she needs to have both legs done, then we'll do it. Soon, too. I would rather have it done before the snow melts. She loves going outside on nice days. She's just so young and I hate having to put her through this. It makes me so sad to think of her in pain. Thank you, though, for your support. I don't feel so alone anymore.

Sincerely,

Sonya

Kirby · 03-19-2010, 06:16 AM

I just made an appointment for this afternoon with a friend's veterinarian for a second opinion. I'll keep you all posted.

Mom to Hot Rod · 03-19-2010, 06:24 AM

Good luck with your 2nd opinion, good move. Hot Rod had lp surgery on one of his knees and like Vivian said, the post op is the hard part. We had to keep Hot Rod still for 6 weeks and about the 4th week it was very long.

But all worth it. He will still pick his leg up but he's tight as can be and the surgeon doesn't believe that he will have arithis from this in his knee.

Please keep us update on your appt. Best of wishes. Hugs.

yorkieusa · 03-19-2010, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirby

Thank you, everyone. She has on a couple of occasions lifted her back leg and limped. For the most part, though, she moves around without issues. I have decided to get a second opinion, though. If she needs to have both legs done, then we'll do it. Soon, too. I would rather have it done before the snow melts. She loves going outside on nice days. She's just so young and I hate having to put her through this. It makes me so sad to think of her in pain. Thank you, though, for your support. I don't feel so alone anymore.

Sincerely,

Sonya

That's sad that she has LP in both legs, but I certainly do agree with you having it done sooner rather than later. She's in pain with bad legs, so you won't really be putting her through more pain. You'll be giving her a chance at being able to run and play like she was meant to do. Take care...

BlueBelle · 03-19-2010, 08:40 AM

We put off having our girl done and when we finally did the orthopedist said it would have been better done sooner than later. She will probably have more arthritis later on and it made the surgery more extensive. She seemed pretty good most of the time, but they are little troopers and don't always show the pain they are in. She was playing like crazy with another dog 2 days before her operation and you would have never guessed she had a grade 4 on one knee and grade 3 on the other.

Nikis2 · 03-19-2010, 10:07 AM

My girlfriend bought a puppy from a breeder on the Internet Montana or somewhere. Than flew down to pick her up. When she got there she soon realized the dogs were not AKC and had no good pedigrees in the back ground. But, the puppy looked like she was healthy and well cared for so she bought her anyway. Knowing full well not to buy an ACA or CKC puppy. After about 9 months she started having problems with her 1 knee. My girlfriend waited and from her dog putting all the weight on the one leg it wound up ruining the other knee too. So she had to have 2 surgeries and the recovery was very painful and about 6 months of constant monitoring. The vet also told her if she doesn't let the dog's knees recover correctly they will be lame and cannot have another surgery. It is a one time deal and so far a cost of over $5000.00 Please make sure you are buying your babies from reputable breeders. I am not saying you won't have a defect here and there but the chances of them having these types of problems are far far less and they will stand behind them. They are guaranteed!

ladyjane · 03-19-2010, 10:17 AM

I have had SO many pups with LP and have yet to have one operated on; and they were fine. The only way the orthopedic surgeon I use will recommend surgeries is if a pup is having problems and the knee pops out, stays out and causes pain. There are SO many yorkies with LP these days that do very well without surgery.

Lots of people think this must be the end result...fact is that the trend now is going away from these surgeries.

I always suggest second and even third opinions. And, definitely speak with a board certified orthopedic surgeon.

ladyjane · 03-19-2010, 10:20 AM

Knee Problems In Your Dog - Patellar Luxation - Luxating Patella

What some people do not understand is that not ALL cases of LP progress. Many people think they must do surgery early to prevent it from getting worse, when in fact it may not ever get worse. If it does progress, there is plenty of time then to do the surgery before there are major changes.

Kirby · 03-19-2010, 10:22 AM

Sydney did come from an AKC registered breeder. The local AKC recommended her to me. Syd came with a pedigree. I signed the agreement, which guaranteed her puppies 100% for a year of anything hereditary...EXCEPT for luxating patellas because it can occur do to the dog's environment. The vet I took her to yesterday said he's very familiar with the breeder. In fact, he's the one that said that although she told me her puppies were 100% guaranteed, the contract said otherwise. Sure enough, when I looked at the contract, the vet was correct. Teaches me to read everything before signing. I just took the breeder's word. She was AKC AND recommended by the local AKC. The vet said he's discussed LP with this breeder. The vet tried to educate her that it is usually something hereditary. The breeder wouldn't listen. The vet said to phone the breeder anyway. She hasn't returned my call. Syd's second opinion on surgery is later this afternoon.

03-18-2010, 02:37 PM	#1
Kirby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 618	Luxating Patellas My poor little girl has Luxating Patellas in both back knees. The vet today said she will need surgery soon. Very upsetting. I just want to cry...again. She's only 9-months-old. I'm thinking about having it done sooner rather than later so she can enjoy the summer. Any thoughts on the surgery and what I should be aware of?

03-18-2010, 05:11 PM	#2
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	Has she shown any signs? limping- pulling up on the leg? MANY yorkies on here (layla included) have LP but because they show no signs they haven't had surgery. Some vets will push the surgery when it is not needed. I would get a second opinion especially if she isn't showing symptoms. The recovery is quite long and you wouldn't want to hav eto put her through that unless she really really needed it __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

03-18-2010, 05:24 PM	#3
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	My dog Daisy had a Grade 4 luxating patella and needed surgery around the same age. She recovered very nicely - it took about 2 weeks of cage rest and increasing activities after that. My dog had her evaluation and her surgery by a board certified ASVS veterinarian who specialized in orthopedics. You can check to see if your vet is ASVS board certified by visiting www.acvs.org. I will note that my dog also has a grade 3 luxating patella in her other rear leg and although it goes completely "out" from time to time, my vet will not do surgery on her UNLESS she becomes COMPLETELY lame. So, when it happens to "go out" and I see her hobbling, she goes on pain medication and cage rest until she is back up and around. This is a very common issue in the breed and surgery is sometimes necessary but you should make sure your vet takes a conservative approach if your dog is not lame. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy Last edited by 107barney; 03-18-2010 at 05:24 PM. Reason: error in link

03-18-2010, 05:29 PM	#4
viviansnickers Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,755	Hi Kirby... I'm so sorry to hear about your pup needed LP surgery in both legs. Snickers had his LP surgery last Nov and is doing tremendously. Please consider the questions asked in the previous post (does your pup show any signs of pain-lifting, limping, etc.) If your pup does not exhibit sins of pain, surgery may not be needed. The fact that Snick was walking on 3 legs and lifting his LP leg constantly made us aware he needed surgery. I am in MI also (Warren) and our vet is Dr. Lutz at VCA Clinton Twp and she is great. We also did our surgery there with Dr. Gums who is their orthopedic surgeon of choice and we really liked him (he is NOT board certified-some people have a big thing about this, he felt right to us and answered all of our questions to our approval.) The surgery was expensive BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! I realize you are at the beginning stages of potential surgery but just wanted you to know I am here in case you need anything. Post op is not fun. It is about 2 months of hardship for you and mostly your pup who is in extreme pain (esp the 1st week.) Medication and supervision is constant as well as physical therapy. Snicky is now good as new, but will still lift from time to time. He did incredible post op, using his leg the day he came home which is the goal. It can take up 2 yrs sometimes longer and sometimes shorter for full recovery. Please let me know if I can help in any way possible!! Big hugs!! Snick & Viv __________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie

03-18-2010, 05:31 PM	#5
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	Wow I guess we were lucky - Daisy did not need PT nor meds for pain after a couple of weeks (again grade 4). She is a resilient little dog! __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

03-19-2010, 05:55 AM	#7
Kirby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 618	Thank you Thank you, everyone. She has on a couple of occasions lifted her back leg and limped. For the most part, though, she moves around without issues. I have decided to get a second opinion, though. If she needs to have both legs done, then we'll do it. Soon, too. I would rather have it done before the snow melts. She loves going outside on nice days. She's just so young and I hate having to put her through this. It makes me so sad to think of her in pain. Thank you, though, for your support. I don't feel so alone anymore. Sincerely, Sonya

03-19-2010, 06:16 AM	#8
Kirby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 618	Second Opinion I just made an appointment for this afternoon with a friend's veterinarian for a second opinion. I'll keep you all posted.

03-19-2010, 06:24 AM	#9
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	Good luck with your 2nd opinion, good move. Hot Rod had lp surgery on one of his knees and like Vivian said, the post op is the hard part. We had to keep Hot Rod still for 6 weeks and about the 4th week it was very long. But all worth it. He will still pick his leg up but he's tight as can be and the surgeon doesn't believe that he will have arithis from this in his knee. Please keep us update on your appt. Best of wishes. Hugs. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

03-19-2010, 08:40 AM	#11
BlueBelle Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA Posts: 1,190	might not want to wait We put off having our girl done and when we finally did the orthopedist said it would have been better done sooner than later. She will probably have more arthritis later on and it made the surgery more extensive. She seemed pretty good most of the time, but they are little troopers and don't always show the pain they are in. She was playing like crazy with another dog 2 days before her operation and you would have never guessed she had a grade 4 on one knee and grade 3 on the other.

03-19-2010, 10:07 AM	#12
Nikis2 Currently Suspended! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Berlin MD US Posts: 381	My girlfriend bought a puppy from a breeder on the Internet Montana or somewhere. Than flew down to pick her up. When she got there she soon realized the dogs were not AKC and had no good pedigrees in the back ground. But, the puppy looked like she was healthy and well cared for so she bought her anyway. Knowing full well not to buy an ACA or CKC puppy. After about 9 months she started having problems with her 1 knee. My girlfriend waited and from her dog putting all the weight on the one leg it wound up ruining the other knee too. So she had to have 2 surgeries and the recovery was very painful and about 6 months of constant monitoring. The vet also told her if she doesn't let the dog's knees recover correctly they will be lame and cannot have another surgery. It is a one time deal and so far a cost of over $5000.00 Please make sure you are buying your babies from reputable breeders. I am not saying you won't have a defect here and there but the chances of them having these types of problems are far far less and they will stand behind them. They are guaranteed! Last edited by Nikis2; 03-19-2010 at 10:09 AM.

03-19-2010, 10:17 AM	#13
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,450	I have had SO many pups with LP and have yet to have one operated on; and they were fine. The only way the orthopedic surgeon I use will recommend surgeries is if a pup is having problems and the knee pops out, stays out and causes pain. There are SO many yorkies with LP these days that do very well without surgery. Lots of people think this must be the end result...fact is that the trend now is going away from these surgeries. I always suggest second and even third opinions. And, definitely speak with a board certified orthopedic surgeon. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

03-19-2010, 10:20 AM	#14
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,450	Knee Problems In Your Dog - Patellar Luxation - Luxating Patella What some people do not understand is that not ALL cases of LP progress. Many people think they must do surgery early to prevent it from getting worse, when in fact it may not ever get worse. If it does progress, there is plenty of time then to do the surgery before there are major changes. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

03-19-2010, 10:22 AM	#15
Kirby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 618	Sydney did come from an AKC registered breeder. The local AKC recommended her to me. Syd came with a pedigree. I signed the agreement, which guaranteed her puppies 100% for a year of anything hereditary...EXCEPT for luxating patellas because it can occur do to the dog's environment. The vet I took her to yesterday said he's very familiar with the breeder. In fact, he's the one that said that although she told me her puppies were 100% guaranteed, the contract said otherwise. Sure enough, when I looked at the contract, the vet was correct. Teaches me to read everything before signing. I just took the breeder's word. She was AKC AND recommended by the local AKC. The vet said he's discussed LP with this breeder. The vet tried to educate her that it is usually something hereditary. The breeder wouldn't listen. The vet said to phone the breeder anyway. She hasn't returned my call. Syd's second opinion on surgery is later this afternoon.