Caleb had a fall, last night.
 

He tried to jump on a low chair from a strange angle and didn't make it. He landed badly on a hard floor, cried out and then came limping to me.
After a short while he seemed a little better, putting his foot (back left leg) down, but clingy.

We decided to wait til the morning to see how he was doing. Phoned the vet first thing, in the morning. She said he has luxating patella and while we were there sort a second opinion, which confirmed hers. We've been given Metacam. Suggested for use for 3 days, if that doesn't work, for Caleb to have surgery.

Has anyone else here had LP caused by injury? ......if so what happened?
Caleb's legs have been checked in the past with no sign of LP. He'll be 2 at the end of March, so is a young dog.

My concern is that 3 days isn't very long for a dog to get over an injury. I'd hate to rush to surgery, yet don't want him to be in pain if that is the only solution...and he is in pain still (not eaten yet, so having been able to give him the Metacam yet- we are working on getting him to eat), limping, clingy, if I put him down to pee etc he goes to pee, but nearly does the splits (even on grass) and stops and wants to be picked up. Hasn't peed today even though he's gone too, at least three times. Next time I'm going to put a harness on him and hold him up to see if it helps.
He's a sorry little chap, right now.:(


Those whose dog have had the surgery, how active were they after. Did it continue to be a problem?

Obviously we'll take our vets advice, but any input, thoughts welcome.

:( Ohhhh Sandy, NOOOO!!! Poor little boy....

Sorry, I can't help in any way at all - just wanted to chime in and say I'm so, so sorry - we're thinking of you all and obviously little Caleb - wish we lived closer so we could help in some way :(

Love and great big hugs to you from us xx

I think you should give it more time. I dont even see how the vet could determine its LP or even what grade it is or if it needs surgery if they havent seen you in person

edit: should read have not given him metacam.

Couldn't edit post because it took me too long. It's never enough time, when you are juggling a dog and posting.

Aw, your poor kiddo - hope he feels better soon!

As far as experience w/ surgery, my Wylie had surgery about 2 years ago and it went so well. He'd had LP for many years - but it wasn't until he was around 8 that he started lifting up one of his legs - we knew then it was time for surgery. The first few days after the surgery are rough, but then they really do start to snap back. The rough part is that their legs are wrapped and it's hard for them to pee - you have to use a towel under their torso to keep them lifted up, helping them go potty. Wylie is as active as ever - still wants to run etc - and he has no limping at all.

As far as how long to wait, I just have no advice there.

If you have the surgery, I hope it goes well :)!!!

We saw the vet this morning and she took him into the back to see another vet for a second opinion. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I would force that Metacam in, if you can.

Thank you Harrysmum, it does help knowing you and others here, know how much we love and worry over our little ones.

Vet said not to, unless he had food inside of him. We explained that could be an issue and she insisted he needed to have food in his tum or he'd have diarrhea.
So I'm going to try a few more treats, if that doesn't work, I'll mix up some chicken/green beans and broth, and syringe feed him some, we've had to do this in the past with Pip. Then syringe feed him the Metacam.

...a few more treat and coaxing attempts first.

Do agree he needs to have the Metacam, as soon as possible.

Thanks for the feedback, that is reassuring. Tried again with Caleb and he's finally peed.

Will post updates, and how he goes and if he ends up with the op.

Oh, no, poor little Caleb and you! You are both in my prayers and I know these next few days are going to be rough. Count on YT to help you with thoughts and prayers and any support we can offer. Stay strong as you can and calm for Caleb. Just about every memer here has some idea of the anguish you're feeling and hope little Caleb is soon hurting less and on his way to recovery.

I'm guessing the vet thinks 3 days is long enough for a dog to suffer before he begins to get into significant stress from ongoing acute pain and if no significant improvement takes place by then, the quickest way to prevent more suffering is to surgically fix the problem and start recovery. But that's just a guess.

Vets are used to call-backs from anxious parents needing more information anytime there is a significant injury and potential surgery ahead so why don't you just call him and find out the significance of the 3 days and then surgery if no improvement and why not wait longer, etc. ?

Thank you for the prayers. The support here is helpful, first place I came after the vets to look up info on Luxating patella.
I'd heard of it before, when looking up different breeds of dog and from when we had a German Shepherd, but this is the first time it's relevant in our lives.
.....I'm waffling.

Going off to try some more food tempting with Caleb.

He's eaten, a bowl of chicken with some cheese grated on top (not ideal, but we got the metacam in him)

He's whining at me right now, wanting to be cuddled, so don't think I'll be getting anything done today.

Aw! Poor Caleb... Metacam is given to ease pain and inflammation. This will usually happen after 3 days, at which point (when the inflammation is decreased) the joint may return to normal and not need surgery. Sending prayers your way...

ETA: Yorkies are so courageous, sometimes after a fall it hurts their confidence and can make them whiney... it may not be all pain.