Bella going to the vet today for back leg lameness :-(

[pstinard]

Our dear Bella's left hind leg has been lame for the past few weeks and has not been getting any better. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but when she walks, she will often not let the leg touch the ground, instead walking like a three-legged dog. I've read tons about luxating patella and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and my greatest fear is that she has one of these. We are taking her in to the vet in two hours for an examination, so hopefully we will know later today what is going on with Bella's leg. She is such a sweet little dog and this is heartbreaking for us. Please keep Bella in your thoughts and prayers, and I will update after we get back from the vet.

[rubymoon2072]

sending many prayers for Bella

[yorkietalkjilly]

I'm sick to read this. Hopefully she only strained her leg muscles and it's nothing more. I'll gladly pray and keep it up for little Bella. Hopefully some medicine can set her to rights. Let us know the vet's diagnosis as soon as you can.

[kjc]

Praying for Miss Bella...

[dollydoodle]

Hoping sweet Bella has a good outcome at the vet's. Takek care, & let us know what the vet says. Good luck.

[Patti]

Keeping Bella in my prayers.

[yorkiemini]

Prayers for Bella!

[ladyjane]

Sounds like it could be a torn CCL. Hope all is ok....

[Maximo]

Praying for Bella.

[ladyjane]

BTW she has to be in pain....if she were not in pain, she would be weight bearing! People assume that if a pup is acting happy and eating, they are pain free. Dogs do their best to hide pain, so you really cannot assume they aren't in pain based on how they act... at least not all of the time.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

BTW she has to be in pain....if she were not in pain, she would be weight bearing! People assume that if a pup is acting happy and eating, they are pain free. Dogs do their best to hide pain, so you really cannot assume they aren't in pain based on how they act... at least not all of the time.

[barneysmommmy]

Oh no! I'm sending prayers that all goes well.

[pstinard]

It didn't take long for the vet to diagnose Bella. She felt Bella's kneecap and diagnosed luxating patella. She asked me if I wanted to feel it, and being the squeamish person that I am, I said no. Since Bella's other leg was fine and could bear weight, it wasn't an emergency, but the bad leg was stage 4, and she recommended surgery since if left untreated, it would be susceptible to arthritis later. Bella has MPL surgery scheduled for March 21. She will get the surgery where they carve a groove into her leg bone to hold the knee cap in place. An orthopedic surgeon will perform the surgery. Estimated cost is $1,000. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!

[ladyjane]

I don't know of any boarded surgeon (not that you must use one) who would do that surgery for that price. My advice is to thoroughly check this surgeon out.

Glad she is able to bear weight...your original post said not and that was a concern.

Hope the surgery goes well.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I don't know of any boarded surgeon (not that you must use one) who would do that surgery for that price. My advice is to thoroughly check this surgeon out.

Glad she is able to bear weight...your original post said not and that was a concern.

Hope the surgery goes well.

I did a little digging, and Bella's surgeon is not a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He does teach at the University of Illinois Veterinary College and oversees Veterinary College interns at his clinic. He has had plenty of experience performing this type of surgery and has a good reputation. Opinions? My only other viable option would be to get a referral to the University of Illinois Veterinary Hospital for the surgery.