Luxating patella elderly dog

[mojo]

Hi. I haven't been here in a while, but I'm feeling desperate and need opinions. About 3 years ago I rescued and elderly dog. He is a little over 5 pounds. Supposedly he is 14 years old (no teeth so vet can't say for sure). At the time he had a little hip hop in his back left leg. He was fine, but on meloxicam. Then come to find out he suffers from severe seizures (last about 6 1/2 minutes). Vet said he could have had this epilepsy since he was a pup, (but I wasn't given full story on him, OR he could have brain tumor). Put him on phenobarbital. Now suddenly his right back leg is stiff and he is having a hard time walking. He woke up around 2am one day screaming. Something was wrong with his back. Took him to the vet, full set of x-rays. He also have grade 4 luxating patella. They didn't see anything wrong with his back, but he was clearly in pain when vet touched him there. So that seems better, but at night he is not his usual self. Growls at me, tried to bite me if I try to kiss him or pick him up. He is on meloxicam and gabapentin. What I am wondering is, due to his advanced age, would you do the L.P. surgery? I haven't even gotten a price quote yet because my vet does not do that surgery, another vet in the practice does. I'm having a breakdown due to my own severe health issues, I don't have a ton of money and I literally don't know what to do. He's elderly, sleeps a lot, but enjoys life and is my everything. I'm so heartbroken. I can't think straight or make any decisions. What do you think you would do in my shoes? I've had 3 yorkies previously, none lived past 13. This little rescue is 14. I don't want to do some massively expensive surgery and lose him in a year anyway. Can I get your take on this? Please be kind, I am BROKEN.

[ladyjane]

To be honest, I would not put a 14 year old pup through that surgery. Usually grade 4 is not a serious issue ... it is only when they tear the cruciate ligament that it becomes a real issue. I am pro surgery for torn ligaments but only with a board certified ortho specialist and that is honestly cost prohibitive (around $5,000).......BUT the main issue is the age and condition of the pup. One of my pups a few years ago tore her cruciate ligament but she was in renal failure at the time and also was 14....I opted to give meds and she did end up using that leg again. They end up getting arthritis but for a dog with reduced time I would not put them through such surgery.
I would continue giving the meds the vet has prescribed and maybe some more since he is showing signs of discomfort. My guess is the back is more painful than the knee and I would keep his activity down as much as possible.
Good luck!