Charlie is hurt.

[wemple2]

Yea!!! That's exactly what I wanted to hear...can't wait to hear all the details. So happy for Charlie!!!

[yorkietalkjilly]

No surgery? Huge good news!!! Whew!

[AllDogBoots]

yay!!

[cummins]

So happy for you and Charlie

[kjc]

WooHoo! Yay!

[Christinee]

Ok. I'm back. I'll start with the vet last night. After an hour of no call back after requesting the x-rays I called them again. It was about 6pm. They told me again they would call me back because she still needed to talk to the dr. So then she calls me twenty minutes later and says the dr wants me to come in at 8 o'clock. I thought she meant to pick up the x-rays only, but then she says he wants to see me. I couldn't see why but whatever I went with it. I get there at 8 and see him and supposing he wants to know where I am going I tell him I'm going to get a second opinion from a specialist who specializes in knee and hip surgeries because I would feel more comfortable. That I don't want to go just operating on my dog without knowing for sure. He right away asks me how much shes going to charge me. I told him i didnt know and I was only going for a consult not to get surgery. He then continues to tell me that if I get the surgery in his office it comes with a lifetime guarantee. If it ever goes wrong or "comes out" he'll fix it for free. But the surgeon if it goes bad or fails whatever he meant by that, i'd have to pay all over again. I felt like I was talking to a car dealer. Well i just told him that I really wanted a second opinion from somone who specializes in those things. He finally says ok sure get a second opinion and gives me the x-rays.

The surgeon vet was very nice. She said charlie has grade II Luxating patella in both back knees. She did not say he had hip dysplasia. She said his hips looked pretty good. She said there's a very tiny area that could be hip dysplasia but the way the x-rays are (dark) they could be deceiving. She did not seem concerned that his hips were a problem. She was more concerned with his knees. She said since she was able to pop them in and out but because he didn't mind at all she was doing that and because he's playing and has no pain, she sees no reason to do surgery. There is not one knee stuck popped out like the other vet made it sound. She also said the fact he was better in a day tells her he is fine and surgery isn't necessary. Of coarse she told me things to keep an eye open for in the future.

[wemple2]

Sounds good!!! As I said before my first little guy, Spencer had this as well...surgery was never needed. His knees did pop out on occasion, but they always were manipulated back in place. So be thankful for the second opinion, just watch and love Charlie...he'll let you know if he really needs this procedure done, ever.

[kjc]

Yay again!

[Christinee]

Originally Posted by wemple2

Sounds good!!! As I said before my first little guy, Spencer had this as well...surgery was never needed. His knees did pop out on occasion, but they always were manipulated back in place. So be thankful for the second opinion, just watch and love Charlie...he'll let you know if he really needs this procedure done, ever.

Exactly. She said since he likes jumping on and off beds (I told her he did) getting one of those bed stairs for him to be able to climb up and down on would be something we might want to do.

So glad I posted here about his accident. Can you imagine what might have happened. Lifetime warranty. sheesh. lol

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Christinee

Ok. I'm back. I'll start with the vet last night. After an hour of no call back after requesting the x-rays I called them again. It was about 6pm. They told me again they would call me back because she still needed to talk to the dr. So then she calls me twenty minutes later and says the dr wants me to come in at 8 o'clock. I thought she meant to pick up the x-rays only, but then she says he wants to see me. I couldn't see why but whatever I went with it. I get there at 8 and see him and supposing he wants to know where I am going I tell him I'm going to get a second opinion from a specialist who specializes in knee and hip surgeries because I would feel more comfortable. That I don't want to go just operating on my dog without knowing for sure. He right away asks me how much shes going to charge me. I told him i didnt know and I was only going for a consult not to get surgery. He then continues to tell me that if I get the surgery in his office it comes with a lifetime guarantee. If it ever goes wrong or "comes out" he'll fix it for free. But the surgeon if it goes bad or fails whatever he meant by that, i'd have to pay all over again. I felt like I was talking to a car dealer. Well i just told him that I really wanted a second opinion from somone who specializes in those things. He finally says ok sure get a second opinion and gives me the x-rays.

The surgeon vet was very nice. She said charlie has grade II Luxating patella in both back knees. She did not say he had hip dysplasia. She said his hips looked pretty good. She said there's a very tiny area that could be hip dysplasia but the way the x-rays are (dark) they could be deceiving. She did not seem concerned that his hips were a problem. She was more concerned with his knees. She said since she was able to pop them in and out but because he didn't mind at all she was doing that and because he's playing and has no pain, she sees no reason to do surgery. There is not one knee stuck popped out like the other vet made it sound. She also said the fact he was better in a day tells her he is fine and surgery isn't necessary. Of coarse she told me things to keep an eye open for in the future.

This is why I continually harp about seeing boarded surgeons. It is a totally different experience. They don't do surgery to make money....LPs and torn CCL's are very very common and they have pups lined up for days for surgery. They don't need to operate on a pup that does not need it!

Yes, you were dealing with a used car salesman pitch and honestly, I would be looking for another vet. Any vet who would pull me in and question me in such a way would not see my pups again...period. How many other things would he want to do that were not needed?? Scary.

I am SO glad you went...saved your pockets and saved Charlie from an unnecessary surgery. Do keep in mind though that he is at risk of tearing a ligament due to the wear and tear. Keep his weight in the normal range. Try to keep him from doing a lot of furniture jumping. Of course, they can tear them anyway...but good to try and prevent. BUT...they don't all tear ligaments. I have had a couple of pups who went to Rainbow Bridge with their little knee issues...never have pain with them and never tore a ligament.

Happy day!!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Christinee

Exactly. She said since he likes jumping on and off beds (I told her he did) getting one of those bed stairs for him to be able to climb up and down on would be something we might want to do.

So glad I posted here about his accident. Can you imagine what might have happened. Lifetime warranty. sheesh. lol

hahaha that IS crazy...but as I laugh about it, it really is very sad.... I shudder to think how many pups he has operated on...and then had to repeat it over and over. If he was so good, why would he be saying this? The surgeon I use has never said...oh if it fails..blah blah blah.... crazy

Run, don't walk away from that vet!

[Maximo]

I am very happy to hear Charlie will not need surgery!

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Yes, you were dealing with a used car salesman pitch and honestly, I would be looking for another vet. Any vet who would pull me in and question me in such a way would not see my pups again...period. How many other things would he want to do that were not needed?? Scary.

My thoughts exactly. New vet! I would run from any vet that discouraged me from seeing a specialist, or who pushed "deals" on surgery.

[sandy simpson]

I remember the vet wanted to operate on Spud's legs and I said no. He just needs to be careful on the stairs. I put a little stair set so he can get onto the couch. I try not to let him jump off. No surgery unless absolutely necessary and then a second opinion to confirm that. You are wise to do that.

[Christinee]

Seems like all the vets in my area suck. I kept going to him because he seemed pretty cool and he always discounted his prices and u couldn't really get better prices. He always says things like he's discounting because he knows times are hard so u feel like he cares. But the way he handled this situation I agree it's time to look for a new vet. I need someone who knows what they are doing. Ill probably have to drive out of my way to find someone good but better than going to a vet that doesn't know what they are doing. I seriously think he might have thought the only option was surgery, but I don't know that for sure. Another thing is that hip dysplasia be said he had that doesn't seem to be true. At least the other dr didn't seem that it was anything enough to worry about. She didn't even mention his hips. I had to ask her.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Christinee

Seems like all the vets in my area suck. I kept going to him because he seemed pretty cool and he always discounted his prices and u couldn't really get better prices. He always says things like he's discounting because he knows times are hard so u feel like he cares. But the way he handled this situation I agree it's time to look for a new vet. I need someone who knows what they are doing. Ill probably have to drive out of my way to find someone good but better than going to a vet that doesn't know what they are doing. I seriously think he might have thought the only option was surgery, but I don't know that for sure. Another thing is that hip dysplasia be said he had that doesn't seem to be true. At least the other dr didn't seem that it was anything enough to worry about. She didn't even mention his hips. I had to ask her.

I have two pups with hip dysplasia. One had surgery about a year ago on one hip because it was uncomfortable for her and she would limp on some days. The surgeon told me that there was NO reason to operate on a hip if the pup is not experiencing pain!
Like I said...RUN!! You might spend a few more dollars on some things, but I think you and your Charlie will be much better off elsewhere. I would look first for an AAHA accredited facility.

AAHA Healthy Pet