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08-16-2010, 04:40 AM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3
| Patellar Luxation Surgery Duoduo just had her first heat cycle at 7.5 months this past week and I took her to the vet to get a check-up. Our vet felt her hind legs and told us that she has patellar luxation in both, and recommended surgery to fix. The veterinary surgeon at our pet hospital recommended the same thing. Right now it's not clear what grade the patellar luxation is, but both vets said that it will give her arthritis in the future and possible worse conditions. Right now little Duoduo doesn't seem to be feeling any ill effects, other than not being able to jump up on our couch or bed. She is otherwise very active and I had no idea that she had knee problems until last week. She was the smallest in her little and right now only weights 2.8 pounds. I'm concerned that surgery will take a toll on her. The smallest dog that our surgeon has performed this procedure on was a 17.6 pound Schnauzer, so I am concerned that he doesn't have the requisite experience. He doesn't seem too concerned about it. Do you guys have any experiences with this correctional surgery on such a small Yorkie? I want Duoduo to be able to avoid problems in the future and run and jump until she is old, but at the same time I am concerned about the risk of surgery, particularly since the vet mentioned that both knees should be operated on in separate procedures and recovery periods. This means that with her upcoming spaying, she'll be in and out of the hospital and in recovery for the next 6 months! Appreciate any advice and insights that you guys might have. Thanks! |
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08-16-2010, 05:35 AM | #2 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| The board certified orthopedic surgeon I use does not recommend surgery for LP unless there is pain and/or difficulty walking. As for her not being able to jump on and off furniture, that is a good thing. It is best not to let them do those things.
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08-16-2010, 07:27 AM | #3 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3
| Have spoken with my vet further and it looks like she has Grade 3 in both knees. While she doesn't have any pain or trouble walking right now, the vet is still recommending surgery. I'll be getting second and third opinions on this, but just wanted to check on everyone else's experiences. |
08-17-2010, 10:43 PM | #4 |
T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England
Posts: 9,816
| My dog Daisy was diagnosed at age 8 weeks with two grade 4 luxating patellas. Surgery was not performed until the dog was 2 years old, and only after she became completely lame. We treated her with cage rest and anti-inflammatory medications initially but when the left leg became lame and she could not walk, our board certified orthopedic surgeon recommended the surgery. He only performed the surgery on one leg. It has been 8 years since her surgery and there have not been any issues in all that time. The right leg also has a grade 4 but our surgeon will not do surgery unless the dog is completely lame. I would not rush into surgery, and I'm not sure how it works in Hong Kong but you are right to question the requisite experience of the surgeon in a tiny toy dog. Our surgeon had performed many of these surgeries and many on very small dogs. Again, my dog was lame and surgery was the only option. Her other leg, a grade 4, goes out from time to time and she is crate rested with supportive pain medication. Usually two weeks of strict crate rest and we are over the episode. Good luck!
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