Buddy is limping badly

[tmac48]

My 3 year old Yorkie started limping about 2 weeks ago with his back right leg. He could walk on it but you could tell he was hurt, but not badly. The other day he made a sudden move towards another dog while walking him and his back leg gave out. Now he is barely putting weight on it. He isn't crying but just in pain. Seems like it is his knee joint area. No pain in the hip or back when I touch it But rotating the knee hurts him. He is very fit and active. Quite an athlete. Anybody have a similar issue. He does jump off the back of the couch and loves to run circles in the morning. So I think he had a minor issues that then turned into a bigger issues. He can walk on it if he wants. Maybe like a ACL. He goes to Vet Tues. I don't always trust them with wanting to do surgery etc. Any help would be appreciated. Tom

[Oddsock]

Good luck with the vet. Hope it's nothing serious.

Caleb was healthy til he hurt his leg jumping onto a chair at a weird angle. He had to have an operation, which due to a new vet and his bad choices had to be redone later. He's 11 this month and the knee hurts these days but he has meds for that. They can hurt themselves so easily.

Probably a good idea to try and stop the jumping off couch/beds or whatever. One of ours (Pip) seemed to be part goat, so know it's not alway easy to stop them, but steps or ramps can help, when they don't bypass them, making wild choices with their jumping.

[Oddsock]

p.s.

Ask the vet how many op's of this type they've done and get recommendations if possible.
We made a mistake with our vet, we'd been at the practise for many years, through several dogs lives, but a new vet joined, did the first op, he experimented with a new way of doing things, it failed and had to be redone later. The vet was kicked out, he was trying to make a name for himself, was money hungry even at the expense of the animals.
The second op went well, Caleb recovered well enough to run again. Most vets see these issues often and know what to do. Good luck with your little one. Hope he doesn't need an op.

[ladyjane]

See what the vet says. Sounds like he might have a torn CCL (ACL in people). If he does, he WILL need surgery. It's very expensive and ideally should be done by an ortho specialist.
Yorkie are prone to knee issues. I have been through it so many times.
If you ignore it, he will eventually use it but that does NOT mean it got better. They learn to acclimate to it; but they then have a very unstable knee and will have problems in the future with the meniscus and other things.
Not trusting vets is a dangrous thing.........if you are not happy with who you go to, find another. If he/she says he has a torn ccl, go to a specialist for a second opinion.
Good luck today!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Oddsock

Good luck with the vet. Hope it's nothing serious.

Caleb was healthy til he hurt his leg jumping onto a chair at a weird angle. He had to have an operation, which due to a new vet and his bad choices had to be redone later. He's 11 this month and the knee hurts these days but he has meds for that. They can hurt themselves so easily.

Probably a good idea to try and stop the jumping off couch/beds or whatever. One of ours (Pip) seemed to be part goat, so know it's not alway easy to stop them, but steps or ramps can help, when they don't bypass them, making wild choices with their jumping.

Originally Posted by Oddsock

p.s.

Ask the vet how many op's of this type they've done and get recommendations if possible.
We made a mistake with our vet, we'd been at the practise for many years, through several dogs lives, but a new vet joined, did the first op, he experimented with a new way of doing things, it failed and had to be redone later. The vet was kicked out, he was trying to make a name for himself, was money hungry even at the expense of the animals.
The second op went well, Caleb recovered well enough to run again. Most vets see these issues often and know what to do. Good luck with your little one. Hope he doesn't need an op.

All good information!

[tmac48]

Vet said Buddy has a Grade 2, Patellar Luxation. He is just over 3 years old. It is now affecting both of his legs. Said his breed it is common. Once it goes to Grade 3 or 4 then surgery is usually done. She doesn't do the surgery. Didn't require Xrays. Has seen many of these injuries. Did a double exam to be sure. Buddy is a very active, strong and loves to run and jump. He is going to be hard to slow down. He is limping and lame now. Walks a little and lightly. I don't feel good about surgery since all I have read hasn't been good or successful in small dogs.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by tmac48

Vet said Buddy has a Grade 2, Patellar Luxation. He is just over 3 years old. It is now affecting both of his legs. Said his breed it is common. Once it goes to Grade 3 or 4 then surgery is usually done. She doesn't do the surgery. Didn't require Xrays. Has seen many of these injuries. Did a double exam to be sure. Buddy is a very active, strong and loves to run and jump. He is going to be hard to slow down. He is limping and lame now. Walks a little and lightly. I don't feel good about surgery since all I have read hasn't been good or successful in small dogs.

Surgery for LP and CCL is highly successful. I don't know what you have been reading; but, if it is grade 2 medial luxation, surgery is not indicated. However, I don't understand how he is lame from a grade 2 luxation. Occasional limping can happen, but inability to walk (ie lame)is not normal.

I have had more surgeries on yorkie legs than I can count over the years and not one failed. So don't believe that what you read somewhere is gospel IF he needs surgery later. Chances are he never will. I have had many pups in my care.....most have LP but not CCL. They can live long lives with LP.

Happy to hear Buddy is ok!