Luxating Patella
 

I just got back from the Vet with Mia, she as been favoring her left leg for the last month or so but was getting better there was no pain i would feel her everywhere on the leg and hips, back and nothing i could not pin point why she was limping, and last nite she was playing with Jake and slipped WELL now it's the right leg she could not put any weight on it she would take a few steps and then just fall/Lay over i was really worried and then again no crying and no apparent pain but obviously something is wrong.
this morning i called the vet and made an early appoint for her i did have one but not till 4:30 this afternoon i was able to change it it was a different vet than not Dr Strech, but he was consulted by Dr Reid he told me Mia has Luxating Patella in both back knees i am just sick i feel so bad for her he seemed to think she dont need surgery just yet some dogs can live their whole life with this but Mia is very active little girl she loooves walking running and we do lots of hiking and camping in the summer i cant imagine her not being able to do all these things.
Dr Reid said if she gets really lame and cant bear any weight on her leg than we should do surgery
Right now we are back home and she is laying down she still is not putting any weight on her leg i am so confused i really dont know what to think right now.
As any one of you experience this with your babies?

Please keep my little girl Mia in your prayers

I am so worked up right now i hope everything i wrote makes sense.

I am so sorry that your Mia has LP in both knees. I can feel how much you love her and are worried just by your words (yes, they made perfect sense). If she can't put any weight on her leg, what is the doctor waiting on when he says "lame"? I guess, that would be my question.

I haven't had any experience with this but I know many here have. I am sure someone will come along that can give you better info. I do know, from reading here, that there are varying grades of it and some don't need surgery (as your vet said). However, I'm not sure the grades and what constitutes the need for surgery. It seems that the surgeries do have a good success rate.

Do you have a ramp or stairs for any furniture that Mia might be wanting to jump on? I would definitely get that if not.

I will keep Mia in my prayers. You are doing all you can do and if you have any doubts or concerns with where the vet has left things, it might help (and definitely won't hurt) to get a second opinion.

I would get her to a specialist (board certified orthopedic surgeon is best) as soon as possible. It is very probable that she has torn the ligament in that one leg. When they have luxating patellas they are at risk of tearing the cruciate ligament. Here are some links to explain the two:

Yorkie Haven Rescue - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear Info

Yorkie Haven Rescue - Patellar Luxation Info

Dogs do a very good job of hiding pain. Just because she is not whimpering or crying does not mean she is pain free. If she has a torn ligament, that is painful.

If you don't know of a specialist, here is a link to find one:

ACVS - Find a Surgeon in Your Area

Good luck and keep us posted, please.

Meant to add: Normally with luxating patellas that are causing issues, vets give them an anti-inflammatory. It will help a bit with the discomfort. If they did not, perhaps you might want to call and ask.

Thank you Terry, actually i have been putting chest and cushions for Mia to jump on but she as not tried to jump since this happened but i will look for some stairs and get some for her to make her climbs easier :) she seems a bit better today but is still a little lame and you can see when her knee goes out she gets that look as to say "Mommy what is happening to me" poor poor little baby :(

Jane thank you so much for the info :) i do have a tough little girl and that makes complete sense when you say they could still be in pain and just dont show it. i do have some dexamethasone for her and i she has been resting alot to which is good she seems to always want me to carry her and i do :)

If she dont improve in the next couple days i will be taking her back and discuss surgery, Mia is such an active little girl i dont want this to break her spirit i know they can live with it but if it can be fixed why not do it so they can have better quality of life she is still so young.

Hugs,