Luxating Patella Advice
 

Hi,

I'm new to this forum so I apologise if there is already a similar thread.

My yorkie (Bear - 12 months) was recently diagnosed with LP in his left leg (L2). It started quite suddenly and he would limp once every three days or so. My vet put him on metacam however I've noticed he seems to limp much more frequently now. We also have a Maltese and when they play his leg sometimes pops out. This also happens when he pulls on the lead during walks. I don't know if it's because I'm so aware of it now but I'm sure it has become worse since his diagnosis.

I have another consult with my vet next week but I have already asked to be referred to a specialist ortho surgeon. I have read a lot on this forum (thank you so much for all the information), but I just need help coming to a definitive decision. I think I just have to suck it up because as much as I've tried other strategies (walking uphill, training him to use stairs to get onto the bed/couch, giving him Sasha's Blend powder with dinner) nothing is going to heal a congenital issue other than surgery.

I'm also quite worried about the recovery. Bear hates being confined (he eats in his crate and then can't wait to be let out) and I will have to leave him on his own whilst I am at work. I could probably take a week off work after the surgery... but then he would need to be left in his crate. This is daunting as he just loves to flail about and jump everywhere!

Is this something that has worked for other people (crating while they are at work)? Or should I consider something else?

I really hate the idea of him having to go through this, but I just want him to be able to run around and play without worrying about his poor little knee sliding out.

Any advice/recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thank you :)

I've attached a picture of Bear when he was a pup (still can't believe he's 1!)

Bella is also a very lively dog, but when we crated her following her LP surgery, there was always someone around 24/7. I think it's a good idea for you to take off work for the first week if you can. After that, you might want to find a dog sitter for the time you are at work, at least until the stitches come out. Do you have anyone you could leave Bear with while you are at work?

Another help if Bear gets worked up when crated is to buy a small xpen (we adjusted our down to 4 square feet) so that he doesn't feel so confined. Our surgeon also had us but a towel or blanket under the crate to avoid slipping. With a bed, potty pad, food, and water, they have everything they need.

We are 22 days post-op, and Gracie is not sure why we are keeping her confined or in our arms:rolleyes:-it has something to do with the fact that she has already escaped and run down the stairs and jumped off the sofa! :eek:

awww so cute. I used a small pet tent that I bought on amazon. It worked great to keep Barney confined enough. It has a top so he could not really try to jump. To this day, my dogs like to go into the tent. I'm not sure if you can get one in Australia??

Thank you for the advice so far :)

I don't really have anyone who could stay with Bear while I'm at work - everyone is either working or at university.

As I'm a teacher I can usually be home by 4pm but that's still 8 hours he'll be left alone... I am considering having the operation done over the school holidays but that would still only be 2 weeks in which I can supervise him 24/7. I might try calling the vet/daycare near me to see if they could keep him during the day to watch him.

We have tried using an x-pen before but Bear learnt how to climb out of it (even quite a high pen - little rascal!) so I think he'd need to be totally confined in something with a roof/cover.

Thank you again! I really appreciate all the advice and details of past experiences. :aimeeyork