Harley has been diagnosed with LP

[MadDeDo]

My little 3 lb spayed girl had LP 4 surgery. She had to have a tibial transposition (hope I am spelling that right) as he tried to deepen the groove and it popped back out before he could even secure it. So he had to basically "reform" the knee and use wires to fuse it in place. She would not walk on the knee at all...she held it up and ran/walked with 3 legs. I had the surgery done when she was only 9 months old because of the severity of it and because I was told that it's better to have it fixed when the dog is younger and the bones are more pliable and not "set" fully. She was out of commission for about 6 weeks, went through rehab and therapy, and within 3 months was completely using the leg and walking normally. Now over a year later she is doing wonderful and shows no signs that anything was ever done. She is one of my fastest babies!

The prognosis is very good if it is fixed early, and done with a surgeon who knows what they're doing. Your baby is still very young and this is a great time to have it done. I know there are some natural approaches that don't involve surgery that some people have been successful using, but the best chance of living a pain-free life is to have the surgery done, if they are a good candidate.

[Kirby]

I felt the same way when I heard Sydney needed LP surgery on both back knees. Please know I understand, and so do others, how hard this is what you're going through. I was beside myself. After getting a second opinion, I decided on surgery. That was in March. She's 11-months today and doing great. You would never know she had the surgery. For a couple of weeks, she had to wear two casts on the back legs, but she managed. Even using her litter box. When the stitches were first removed, she wouldn't walk very far on her back legs (I don't blame her) but by the next afternoon, she was wanting to run and play as normal. We wouldn't let her and we still don't let her on the bare floors for fear she'll slip and fall. For the surgery, we went with her regular vet--no ortho vet surgeons in the area. He was wonderful.

Coming to YT was the greatest resource on the web. Here is Sydney's experience if you're interested:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...-patellas.html

[cslat1]

Hi,
I’m so sorry that you and Harley are going through this. I’m sad she is having pain. I have a weird story. My pup never displayed any signs of LP. No pain or kicking or straightening her legs. I just wanted my vet to check her for LP when she had her regular check up. My vet was away at the time and she was seen by another vet in the practice. He told me she needed surgery in both legs. You could have knocked me over with a feather! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I decided to see my regular vet when he returned. You won’t believe what he told me. He said she didn’t have LP or need any surgery. At that point I had two different diagnoses. My friend is a vet [Cat Doctor Only]. She told me I should see a Board Certified Ortho Surgeon. I saw a colleague of hers. He told me she needed surgery in both her knees. She needed her left leg done first. I had my own surgery scheduled. I scheduled hers to be done after I had mine so I would be home for her recovery. He did said her second surgery could wait for about a year. She came through the first surgery just fine and was great. Of course, she never showed any symptoms to begin with. We were very lucky that she never experienced any pain before the surgery.. As far as the cost, my vet said if she needed surgery and he was to do it, it would cost about $1200. Of course I wouldn’t allow him to do it anyway. My friend let the Ortho Surg. use her OR. It only cost me $600. I was so very lucky and was grateful to both of them. I’m sure his costs were way down too because of my friend. Calleigh seems just fine and so does her right leg. To be honest, the only thing I ever noticed was, I thought she was bowlegged. That may have been from her knees being crooked. I pray that all goes well for you and your little girl. Please keep us updated.

[HarleyHOO]

Thanks again for the support. It's so good coming to a place where other's know exactly what I'm going through.

Yesterday I was at my in-laws house and was telling them about what was going on with Harley. My father-in-law asked how much it could cost and when I told him, he said "Hell, I'd have her put to sleep! You could buy 5 new dogs for that price." You talk about MAD! Him saying that angered & offended me so much. I said "Maybe thats what you would do with your dogs, but Harley is more than just a dog to me and I could never!" I love him to death, but he's always been one of those people that continually sticks their foot in their mouth. Very aggrivating!

I've been trying to stay optimistic and hopeful. I know that if surgery is needed, eventually she'll be back and better than ever. This is what gives me peace about it. I can't bear for her to be in pain. And right now, you wouldn't know she was! Or maybe she isn't...I think it comes and goes depending on the activity and the way she moves. Last night she was trying to get comfy on my lap and when she stood up to circle around, I heard a popping noise and she let out a whimper...not a loud cry, but a poor pitiful moan. It broke my heart.
Her appointment for this morning was actually postponed by the ortho surgeon until next Wednesday @ 10am. I now have all weekend to think about it...
However, on a positive note, I plan on getting off work early today, going home & cleaning and then kicking back for the rest of the weekend with my sweet girl. I'm going to relax even if I have to take a pill! Haha...

Cslat - I'm so glad that your baby's surgery was sucessful. And $600...thats amazing! If only we could be so lucky! But whatever the cost, she's totally worth it.

MadDeDo - Your story is encouraging. Harley is full of life all the time so I'm praying that because they've caught it early, she too will bounce back and soon be just as fast as she once was Question - I've heard of 3 different methods used for repairing this... did they tell you after x-rays were done which method they would be using? Or did they tell you one thing and then opened her up and ended up needing to do the more extensive? That's what worries me...I don't want to expect one thing and then them tell me they actually have to do something else....I guess whatever happens, happens.

Kirby - I read thru your story yesterday. I'm glad to hear your baby is feeling better. I knew I loved Harley, but after going thru something like this with her, it opened my eyes to exactly HOW much I love her. Some people just don't get it...fortunately, my husband does so at least I have good support from him. This is breaking his heart just as it is mine. It's always good to hear the happy endings though, so thank you.

I will keep you all posted.

[cslat1]

I'm sorry to hear that you have to wait until next Wednesday. That is really too bad. I think if you can try to keep her as quiet as possible, perhaps she won't have as much pain. I know how difficult that will be. Do you have a pet stroller? At least you would be able to get her out without her having to walk. I'm so sorry you had to deal with what your father-in-law said. That is so cold. I guess he's never had the love a wonderful pet. I would have been very upset too. I hope you are able to take it easy and have a good weekend together.
xooxoxoxo

[RachelandSadie]

my estimates were about 1300 for the surgery and everything that goes with it....

i have a piece of advice though...i'm new to this and don't know the details, but today our chiropractic vet told me that she could do some work on Sadie's knee that will help a lot and cost a lot less than the surgery.

maybe you should also check into that. sadie's got almost a grade 3 and she's come out of it and is walking fine now with a very slight limp when she runs hard. she's on cosequin tablets (glucosamin and condrointin) and we're going to give this chiropractic doc a try...mommy and Sadie will both go see her soon as she does both people and pets.

[107barney]

Hang in there! We had Grade 4 LP and Daisy had surgery at around 9 mos old. She was completely lame and we had no choice. She went in for surgery and came out with a shaved leg and before we knew it, she was up and around in no time. It's been a long time but I do not recall any major pain, she really did so well. We went to a board certified surgeon with a speciality in orthopedics who did many, many of these surgeries.

Daisy is now a very happy 10 year old girl - just look at her here - You should see her run too.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...prettygirl.jpg

[MadDeDo]

Originally Posted by HarleyHOO

Thanks again for the support. It's so good coming to a place where other's know exactly what I'm going through.

Yesterday I was at my in-laws house and was telling them about what was going on with Harley. My father-in-law asked how much it could cost and when I told him, he said "Hell, I'd have her put to sleep! You could buy 5 new dogs for that price." You talk about MAD! Him saying that angered & offended me so much. I said "Maybe thats what you would do with your dogs, but Harley is more than just a dog to me and I could never!" I love him to death, but he's always been one of those people that continually sticks their foot in their mouth. Very aggrivating!

I've been trying to stay optimistic and hopeful. I know that if surgery is needed, eventually she'll be back and better than ever. This is what gives me peace about it. I can't bear for her to be in pain. And right now, you wouldn't know she was! Or maybe she isn't...I think it comes and goes depending on the activity and the way she moves. Last night she was trying to get comfy on my lap and when she stood up to circle around, I heard a popping noise and she let out a whimper...not a loud cry, but a poor pitiful moan. It broke my heart.
Her appointment for this morning was actually postponed by the ortho surgeon until next Wednesday @ 10am. I now have all weekend to think about it...
However, on a positive note, I plan on getting off work early today, going home & cleaning and then kicking back for the rest of the weekend with my sweet girl. I'm going to relax even if I have to take a pill! Haha...

Cslat - I'm so glad that your baby's surgery was sucessful. And $600...thats amazing! If only we could be so lucky! But whatever the cost, she's totally worth it.

MadDeDo - Your story is encouraging. Harley is full of life all the time so I'm praying that because they've caught it early, she too will bounce back and soon be just as fast as she once was Question - I've heard of 3 different methods used for repairing this... did they tell you after x-rays were done which method they would be using? Or did they tell you one thing and then opened her up and ended up needing to do the more extensive? That's what worries me...I don't want to expect one thing and then them tell me they actually have to do something else....I guess whatever happens, happens.

Kirby - I read thru your story yesterday. I'm glad to hear your baby is feeling better. I knew I loved Harley, but after going thru something like this with her, it opened my eyes to exactly HOW much I love her. Some people just don't get it...fortunately, my husband does so at least I have good support from him. This is breaking his heart just as it is mine. It's always good to hear the happy endings though, so thank you.

I will keep you all posted.

Unfortunately the 2nd is what happened...when they did the xrays they could see that it was bad, but they assumed that it could be corrected by simply deepening the groove and re-setting the knee. However, when they got in there and attempted to do that...it popped right back out before they could even secure it, and immediately they knew that it was going to require something bigger. They called me while she was under and explained it quickly what they would have to do, and when I picked her up they explained it further. This is a good link that explains everything: Medial and lateral patellar luxation. TTT is what my little girl had to have. I hope that your baby's is more simple and you will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers!!

[HarleyHOO]

Hi Ladies - update for you ~ Harley's appointment with the surgeon was Wednesday. The surgeon confirmed what my vet told me and that is that Harley does need surgery in her right hind leg. He informed me that she also has it in her left leg, but just not exhibiting any signs yet. Grade 2 in the left and grade 3 in the right. We are going to hold off on the surgery for several weeks to get things in order. Harley seems to be doing much better these last few days and hasn't shown any signs that its bothering her. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement. I will let you know when the surgery is scheduled.

[cslat1]

We were thinking about your little Harley and wanted to stop by. Please let us know when he is scheduled for the surgery. I'm so glad he's not having pain.

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by HarleyHOO

Hi Ladies - update for you ~ Harley's appointment with the surgeon was Wednesday. The surgeon confirmed what my vet told me and that is that Harley does need surgery in her right hind leg. He informed me that she also has it in her left leg, but just not exhibiting any signs yet. Grade 2 in the left and grade 3 in the right. We are going to hold off on the surgery for several weeks to get things in order. Harley seems to be doing much better these last few days and hasn't shown any signs that its bothering her. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement. I will let you know when the surgery is scheduled.

Thank you for the update. I'm sorry she needs surgery. I know it's not an easy thing to hear. That's good she doesn't need surgery in both, but I know it's not much comfort.

Sydney had surgery on both knees in March. You would never know. She's doing well, taking her GlycoFlex chews every morning.

Thank you also for letting us know when the surgery is scheduled. It's very kind of you.

Sincerely,


Sonya