|
Luxating Patella - Grade 4 Buster is 3 years old, weighs about 5 pounds and has had LP in both legs since I got him as a puppy in February 2008. The vet says he is a Grade 4 but does not recommend surgery until his quality of life is affected. I give him Cosequin daily. He goes down the stairs on three legs, carrying the back left leg. I take him for a walk almost every evening, he could walk forever, but I don't let him walk as far as he thinks he can. He doesn't carry the leg much at all when he's walking. He loves to swim, but here lately, he has been getting out on his own and looking at me, letting me know he is done. I've heard swimming is good for LP and I don't let him swim more than 30-45 minutes at a time. It's usually after he's been in about 30 minutes that he gives me the "look". How will I know when his quality of life is affected? I don't want him to be in pain all of the time. Is the Cosequin enough? Is there something else I can give him that's better? The three legged hop down the stairs almost brings me to tears. |
Have you considered a 2nd Opinion. Not sure if the one you saw is board certified. Like you, I would hate when you get the look that they have had enough. Best of luck with the little one. |
Quote:
|
Hi Jeanie, First, I am so sorry that Buster is going thru this. Second, I have to apologize as I was supposed to mail you something and I completely forgot...it will be on its way. :( In Hot Rod's case, he was not wanting to walk on our walks that he so enjoyed. He sit down and not budge at all. I agree about the "look" as Hot Rod would look at me like, "I don't really want walk any further mom but I don't want to go home either." But in our case, he was actually swinging his leg outward as his ligament was on the side. You could see that he was walking lopsided. I would agree with the others to get a second opinion or if you are confident with your surgeon then go with what your head tells you. I know your heart says wait. The other way to to look at it is that if he should really need the surgery, the quicker he gets it, the quicker he will begin to mend. Best of luck with second opinion and your decision. Hugs, Bo |
From what you describe, his quality of life has been affected. 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 ask your vet for a referral to a board certified orthopedic vet. |
My vet isn't board certified for orthopedics. He has mentioned in the past that he can do the surgery. He does not have the facilities for over night care and from everything I've read, they really should be kept over night when they have the surgery. I need a referral to go to the clinic/hospital that has the best orthopedic vets. I guess it's time to ask for the referral and get the opinion of a board certified orthopedic vet. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
But I am calling today for the referral for the second opinion from the Board Certified Orthopedic Vet. I think Buster needs something, I think I've waited long enough. If he doesn't, then great, but I want another opinion. |
Quote:
Quote:
It's really past time since arthritic changes have already taken place. The surgery will fix his knees, but nothing can be done about the bowleggedness at this point. Arthritis is not reversible. :( It's such a shame your vet didn't refer to to an orthopedic vet earlier. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
There is no way I'd ever let a vet do surgery for LP unless that vet was board certified. I definitely agree with everyone that it is time for a consult. Also, my dog Daisy was born with two grade 4 LPs. She had to have surgery on one leg at age 2 when she became lame and could no longer walk without crate rest. The other leg, however, has "gone out" a few times over the years and she has been crate rested and medicated. She's almost 11 - no surgery on the other leg has been warranted. The leg that had the surgery 9 years ago is still good and that is because a board certified surgeon did it and he had performed many of these procedures on small dogs. ALSO - LadyJane sees a surgeon at Gulf Coast for all the fosters and he is wonderful from what she has told me. That surgeon is not only good but I believe he is innovative and has saved legs of some of the fosters when others wanted to amputate! Good luck! |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
I am certain that you will leave GCVS very pleased and also very knowledgeable about LP. Dr. Beale is very good about teaching. :) I hope all goes well on Friday! :) |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:32 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use