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.

The surgery is tough. Callie never had to have her legs wrapped. The first surgery it was 8 weeks of crate rest then the second surgery it was 11 weeks of crate rest and the bone is taking a very long time to heal so they still can not remove the pins that are causing Callie to be uncomfortable. I would make sure that the surgery is truly needed before jumping into it. It is not easy.

poor little guy I hope he is better soon, hopefully he doesnt need surgery, I would wait more than 3 days personally but thats just me

I'm going to give it the 3 days then take him back in. Talk to the vet and see what they suggest. So far he's no better, he's holding the leg up all the time and fallen over just walking a few steps. We've put rugs all over the wooden floors to make it easier for him, for when he has to be put down. Mostly we are keeping him to his bed which he has on my desk or on my lap.
We'll see how it goes, but even if he improves we'll have him checked out on the 3 day. I'd rather take him in several times over the next weeks, than chance his health. If he gets worse we'll take him in sooner.

Pippi was due to be spayed this week, but we are going to hold off, she's acting very jealous of me carrying him so much, but he has to be carried up stairs and more around the house. We worry it'll be difficult to cope if they both need extra care at the same time. So Kev watched Caleb, while I took her for a short walk and gave her one on one time. Kev said Caleb sat up and watched the door the whole time I was gone and was a little stressed.

That does sound rough, do hope Callie makes a full recovery soon. That's also longer than we'd realized for recovery.

I need to know more about the op. Will talk more to the vet. She talked of scraping a deeper 'groove',(those were not her exact words, can't remember exactly what she said) for the bone to sit in. Nothing was said of pins, but we didn't ask many questions. Will think of more for when we go.

Anyone willing/wanting to give any tips, on what we should be asking, please add the advice.

I'm sorry this has happened to poor Caleb. I can't offer any advice as I don't have any experience with LP but would like to send good wishes for a speedy recovery.

So sorry to hear about Caleb's accident. Buster has LP in both his back legs. He left was operated on three years ago after he started lifting it when he was out for walks. The Vet said to wait until the other leg started giving him problems and as of now (knock on wood) he has not shown any issues/pain. He did well with the surgery and was putting his leg down by the second day although we did assist him. It is very important that after surgery they have 8 weeks of crate rest and restricted movement as not to undo the repair. That was the hardest as Buster felt he was back to normal long before the 8 weeks restriction. I put him in a pen when I was not actively monitoring him so he would not run or jump and re injure themselves. The Orthopedic specialist said to restrict jumping up bad for rear legs and jumping down bad for front legs and to restrict fast running or chasing around corners on wood or solid floors as the cornering puts pressure on the knees. Even with the surgery Buster will still sometimes favor his leg and he will chew at the repair site. I would not rush off to do the surgery unless the second opinion confirms that the surgery is necessary. Best wishes for Caleb.

Thank you, good wishes are appreciated.

The 8 weeks or so, will be so hard. He wants to be with Pippi and they love chasing and play fighting, so keeping them separated will be hard for both. Caleb will find it hard to be confined. (but we will do it)

He's still limping, we are having to slow him down, now that the pain killers have kicked in. And we are having to stop Pippi from diving on him, they love to hunt each other and then run towards who ever is doing the hunting(they take turns), jumping over them or nudging them over. ...a real no no right now.
We should be back at the vets the day after tomorrow. Will post after.

Update:
Caleb has improved, though still sore and he does limp now and again. Before we could stop him, he tried jumping on a low foot stool, he didn't make it and fell on his side. (He was more shook up than hurt)
It seems to have taught him not to jump at all, which is good. He now comes and asks to be picked up to get on our laps, to our bed, off our bed and up and down the stairs.
We are still having to slow him down.
We did go back to the vets, when they manipulated his leg it did not come out at all. Yet she (vet) said we could still do the operation, as he'd need it eventually. I've decided as the knee isn't coming out of place, and only did after an injury, (His legs were checked and fine in all his check ups, before the injury. No signs of LP.)
to hold off on the surgery.

I think it'll be slow, but he's improving each day.

dog
 

I wouldn't rush into any surgery. Give him time to heal up. A vet long ago told me Spud needed surgery on his back legs. I waited and been giving him the glucosamine, chondroitin med called Dasuquin and so far he is fine. I do not allow him to jump off anything. I use the little stairs he climbs up and down to get on the couch. I will pray that Caleb will heal up and not need surgery. Little dogs get hurt so easy from jumping off stuff. Try to get things that he jumps off of away from him to prevent further vet visits.

Glad he is better. . You can keep him resting a little more. And see if he is better. . . Then you can always hold off and wait for the surgery. . .

Thank you for the prayers. We have low padded stools they jump onto from the chairs. We are going to add another lower cushioned pad to jump onto from the low stool...so it's like steps.
Hubby's going to make steps for the bed. (something I've been nagging him about)
Caleb does wait now, thankfully. He's so miffed when dad carries him up and down stairs and not me. Loves when it's me.

That's what I think too. He is getting frustrated with the resting. We have several games we play and he keeps whining for them, poor thing.

I am glad Caleb is feeling better and that you are resting and waiting. We are still waiting on Buster's other leg and it has been three years. It is so hard when they want to play and you know it's best for them to rest.

dog
 

I bought a small set of steps from Petsmart. They have a cover on them so if one of the boys has an accident and marks the steps I can wash it. Yorkies are so smart. Your dog will learn fast and clilmb those steps and be safe! I am so thankful he is doing better. If there is anyway to avoid surgery I would do that.