Do all luxating patellas need operation? My eldest daughter Crystal (4 years) has developed this condition now in both hind legs. She first went to stage one in the right rear when she was about 18 months old and never effects her alacrity. However following a recent attempt to wrestle the mailman through the letterbox (a favorite time of the day, not to be missed) she landed awkwardly and I feared the worse as she yelped on landing. I gently stretched the left leg and following a little pop she was her usual self again. It does sporadically re-occur usually self correcting itself. We visited the vets this week and he confirmed my observation about the recent right hind leg condition. Surgery is about $2500. Forgetting the money, is surgery necessary (risk etc)? Or being a young dog still, would the curse of arthritis catch her up in later years? - something I now know all about myself. We have laminate floors throughout and I'm considering providing 'landing carpets' for those leaps off the furniture she lavishes makes with all the skills of a down hill slalommer. Her midget sister (Biewer) is under 5lbs and a year her junior with deliciously stubby little legs. She has her own staircases throughout the bungalow to ascend the heights and tends to gently hop down from the bed or couch with a far more cautious approach. Her patella's are just fine, but she has far sturdier pins and seemingly a lower gravitational centre it seems. Has anyone been though this dilemma? Do please respond if so, your experience would be so much appreciated ... |
LP puts wear and tear on the CCL and can cause CCL tears. Doing LP surgery on an dog not a puppy could cause two surgeries to be necessary because the CCL could still tear even after the knee is fixed. My 10 year old about 6 years about went to the orthopedic surgeon after limping and had a partial CCL tear so we fixed her LP at that time as well. They suspected the CCL would tear in the other leg in the next 18 months. It didn't tear and 2 years ago I got the other Knee done because it seemed to be bothering her and then about a year latter the CCL tore and that meant another surgery. LP surgery is a very tough surgery on the dog it's 8 weeks minimum of crate rest and it's extremely painful. I would not do it unless necessary. I would also never have it done by a regular vet because most of those have to be redone. It should be done by a board certified orthopedic surgeon. |
Have a read through this older post: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...rice-high.html I found it very helpful to read everyone else's experience as I recently was going through the same dilemma. |
My older dog Thumper (7 years) I was told is grade three LP. My vet is pushing surgery before arthritis kicks in. I am not going to give him the surgery right now for the following reasons: 1. He is in no pain or limping 2. Why put him through the procedure at his age 3. He acts normal I feel at his age I can manage it when necessary with pain meds. Now my other dog Bella (2 years old) has grade 1 LP and she is a jumper, there is no stopping her. Should she need surgery in the next five years I would get it because she is much more active and younger. If your baby is only 4 years old I would consult with an Ortho Specialist and get their opinion it might be worth it. |
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A New Development Last night Crystal started limping and holding her right rear paw off the ground. The pain is not from the knee and the patella is firmly located. However when I try to part her paw pads she becomes extremely stressed, teeth baring, snarling and air snaps etc. I've bathed the foot in warm salt water several times and she seems bright with a good appetite, but is lying on her little bed all day looking very sad. I'll take her to the Vets soonest tomorrow, maybe she's picked up a grass seed or a splinter from the garden? I don't think this is knee related but I feel very impotent at the moment. I keep cheering her up with little treats and she still tries to jump up - god bless her, as if nothings wrong. Any ideas what it might be, can I do any more before the vet to comfort her? She places so much trust in her dad to protect and help her, that currently alone, I feel a real failure ... |
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My tiny 9 year old Rin has LP, stage 2 (maybe moving to 3). My vet has never recommended surgery. His recommendations to me 1. keep her weight down 2. give a glucosamine supplement (he recommended one) and 3. keep jumping to a minimum. Well her weight is fine, although I do have to scold my husband occasionally for giving her too many treats. We are probably on the third/fourth month of glucosamine, and I tell you, the little diva is acting like a puppy she feels so good. The jumping, ahhhh the jumping. It is so hard to keep a good Yorkie down!! She does have steps for the bed and sofa, which she uses MOST times. All that being said, my beautiful hardwood floors are covered with LANDING PADS :) I'm fond of no slip bath mats! |
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My Gizmo, who will soon be 7, has been diagonsed with a LP about 4 weeks ago.At that time the Vet(female) suggested "wait and see if it goes back into place on its own". Two days ago, I decided to take him for a second opinion since he didn't see to be getting better. That Vet(male) tweaked the area of the knee with his hands (turning, squeezing and pulling). He said Gizmo would need a more extensive exam, about $500. I took Gizmo home and now he is in worst shape then when I took him to the second Vet. Before that visit, Gizmo could walk on the leg and run. Now, he walks but lifts the leg at times. He's moping around the house. Not like himself at all. I think he misses our "fetch game, BIG TIME!" I did get pain meds and muscle relaxer for him. Tramadol and Rimadyl. To be given twice a day. Ugh...he hates when I put them in his throat, close his mouth and massage his throat to swallow them. I am going to wait because the second Vet also said, "Rest and no running or jumping. This may heal, work itself out, on it's own." As much as I am tempted to throw the ball for him...I must do what is best for him! I do massage the leg gently and stretch it slowly and gently too. |
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