patella repair

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I'm just glad I have "GREAT" vets I have two that I trust and both have said with it so common in the toy breeds and as long as no pain or limping on a consistant basis no need for it.

I hear that! My regular vet and my ortho vet both are very conservative about LP. It IS common in these pups! And, I know that many times they do fine without surgery. I had a pup who had LP all of the ten years that I had him (I had adopted him as an adult). He died in 2006 from other causes...never needed surgery for his knees, nor did he suffer from them. He had been seen by vets in NJ and even in those days, my vets did not suggest surgery!

Just like human doctors, some vets suggest surgery more than I am comfortable with. We all know that that does happen. Ever see a person with a bad back? If they are not careful about the physicians they choose, they can often end up with multiple surgeries and end up in worse shape than when they started. We just need to be educated consumers and choose our professionals carefully.

[Patti]

I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Patti

I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

I think more vets are cautious with liver compromised dogs but just my opinion you did what you felt necessary for Pixie...I have 3 at home in the same situation that they are out permanently but they are very active no pain and still no surgery They run, they actually still jump and run in and out the doggie door but I do have to keep their weight under control so that seems to help tremendously. Again, you did what you thought was best for your Pixie
Donna

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I hear that! My regular vet and my ortho vet both are very conservative about LP. It IS common in these pups! And, I know that many times they do fine without surgery. I had a pup who had LP all of the ten years that I had him (I had adopted him as an adult). He died in 2006 from other causes...never needed surgery for his knees, nor did he suffer from them. He had been seen by vets in NJ and even in those days, my vets did not suggest surgery!

Just like human doctors, some vets suggest surgery more than I am comfortable with. We all know that that does happen. Ever see a person with a bad back? If they are not careful about the physicians they choose, they can often end up with multiple surgeries and end up in worse shape than when they started. We just need to be educated consumers and choose our professionals carefully.

I have a bad back but no surgeries for me LOL...they can kiss my bootie LOL..again, as long as my yorkies with LP have no pain or limping no surgery for them either

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Patti

I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

Of course you did the right thing! Don't second guess yourself! Some pups DO need surgery. All we are saying is that many do not and clearly you and your vets know that.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Patti

I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

From Cpnnie's posts about the symptoms, I'm pretty sure you did the right thing! Well, I can say I would've done the same.

[Patti]

Thanks. It's so hard when you see your baby post surgery and you start wondering. But I know once she starts feeling better so will I.

[DamSweet]

Originally Posted by Patti

I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Of course you did the right thing! Don't second guess yourself! Some pups DO need surgery. All we are saying is that many do not and clearly you and your vets know that.

Originally Posted by Ellie May

From Cpnnie's posts about the symptoms, I'm pretty sure you did the right thing! Well, I can say I would've done the same.

See!!!

[Patti]

Originally Posted by DamSweet

See!!!

LOL Thanks!!

[Maxman]

Originally Posted by Patti

Pixie's was 2300.00 plus 350.00 the week before for the er visit and Xrays. I think that is on the high end. Pixie had her knee cap re grooved, the bone cut and moved over and a stitch to hold a ligament in place. I was expecting it to be more like 1500.00. I hope Max can avoid surgery. Did your vet advise you to give him glucosamine supplements and keep his weight down and limit his jumping? All of those things can help.

No,my vet did not reccomend any of that.She just said the he may or may not have trouble in like 10 years.Right now he's 5 months old.I thought she was a good vet,but now I'm not so sure.Why wasn't any of these things reccomended?

[Tessa Arnold]

Hey Ya'll. I'm in Nashville and just found out that Jackson has the same issue. I have to do something soon cause he limps alot. I try to monitor his jumping up, jumping down he lands on the front legs and seem to be little or no problem. He is a strong little guy and never yelps but i can tell its bothering him... I just tell him to walk it off, LOL. It seems to make him feel better. Anyway, my vet said it could be up to $2500, which I don't have in my pocket right now, and am hoping to find an excellent board cert. ortho that takes payment, lol right? I can travel within 60 miles of Nashville or 60 miles of Jackson, MS. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ladyjane]

If you apply for Care Credit and go to a surgeon who accepts it often there is zero interest.

www.carecredit.com

[Patti]

Originally Posted by Tessa Arnold

Hey Ya'll. I'm in Nashville and just found out that Jackson has the same issue. I have to do something soon cause he limps alot. I try to monitor his jumping up, jumping down he lands on the front legs and seem to be little or no problem. He is a strong little guy and never yelps but i can tell its bothering him... I just tell him to walk it off, LOL. It seems to make him feel better. Anyway, my vet said it could be up to $2500, which I don't have in my pocket right now, and am hoping to find an excellent board cert. ortho that takes payment, lol right? I can travel within 60 miles of Nashville or 60 miles of Jackson, MS. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to hear about Jackson. Pixie's was 2650.00 all together and I was able to put it all on the Care Credit with 12 months interest free. You can apply for one now and then have it when you need it. Good luck and keep us posted.