Cali Has LP in Both Back Legs
 

I want to share some sad news about my little Cali. As you know, Cali has been sick off and on for about 2 months with a really bad cold. It went away for awhile but it came back; so Jim and I took her to the vet Friday night. The vet gave her a little antibiotic shot and a new medicine which is stronger than the last one she was on. He told us to give it to her twice a day for 10 days and then bring her back in for another check-up.

Anyway, while he was examining her he said to us, "I'm amazed as how well she walks for a dog who has luxating patellas in both rear legs" … I was like WTF???!!!???!!! He said yes, can't you see how obvious it is? I said NO, I cannot see!! Granted, she walks funny (and by funny I mean she trots like a pony lol) but she has never limped the way Codie use to.

(For those who don't know, a luxated patella is basically a dislocating knee cap.) My Codie had to have surgery to correct LP in his rear left leg when he was a little over 1 year old. So I'm very familiar with this problem because I've dealt with it once before.

Anyway, he said she is walking with her knees out ALL the time. They're totally out. He showed us how easy it is to move them by simply moving both of them back and forth. He suggested we have a few x-rays taken to see the extent of the defect. Well, the x-rays show that the knee-cap is completely flat, just like Codie's was, which means it's a genetic defect. If the knee cap was NOT flat, then it means the LP could have happened from an accident (i.e., jumping off the couch). But in Cali's situation, that is not the case and this did not occur from an accident.

The vet said it's amazing that Cali can walk, period. He said most dogs would have not been able to use their back legs and would have dragged themselves on their front 2 legs (and most likely would have been euthanized after birth because of that). He also said Cali has a roached back (which I already knew, her back legs are a little longer than her front legs).

He said since Cali is so light and tiny, she doesn't put a lot of weight on those knees. He said right now she isn't in pain or having problems walking, so we don't have to worry about surgery. But we may have to have surgery in the future as she gets a little older. My poor baby. :( I told the vet that we are prepared to do the surgery now or in the future, whenever he feels she needs it. It's going to be expensive (more so for Cali because of the extra precautions they will have to take due to her tiny size) but I don't care about the money, I just don't want my little girl to be in any pain. :(

I'm going to start giving her Missing Link Plus (Canine Formula with Joint Supplement) -- this is the one with Glucosamine in it. I just ordered 2 packages on-line.

Any advice on how to keep my baby Cali PAIN FREE? :confused:

Aw poor Cali :( I hope you can keep her pain free, wish I had advice on it. I'll keep her in my prayers

Oh poor baby. The Missing Link should help. Also, minimizing any jumping and no standing on just her back legs.

oh gos Jen, I m so sorry... I am glad there is hope.. thank goodness she is not in pain...

Awww you know Cali has a special place in my Heart. Rogan (my neutered 15 pounder :)) had it in both rear legs as well and had the surgery done at once :(

The first time didn't take :( and they went in for another try, both at once.

Its amazing how well he's doing.

I would think if Cali was in pain, you'd know it because she'd start limping or lifting legs. Thats what Rogan did.

Sending prayers to Cali!!!!!! Keep us posted!!!

Aw Jen - I'm so sorry about Cali!! I've been using ML+ for a little over a year for Sissy as she has LP in her back right leg. Her's is a fairly mild case which we found when she started "skipping" with that leg. After about two months of the ML+ she has stopped skipping and rarely skips now. I hope that Cali never has any further issues with her knees and isn't in any pain. Hugs to you both!!

im so sorry !!
Brownie has hip arthitis and hes on this
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...4966180&Ne=174

& they work GREAT !!

my new vet just recommended this he said it works better so were gonna switch to this
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...N=2026138&Ne=2

:mad: This is why not everyone should be breeding! :thumbdown The poor dogs and new owners suffer for it. Poor little Cali, I hope she continues to improve and she doesn't get any pain. I would most certainly be asking her breeder to pay for some of the medical bills, or to refund you a portion of what you paid for her, since you didn't get what you were guaranteed. I hope the parents of Cali get neutered and spayed, since they have multiple genetic defects that they are passing on :thumbdown

Oh Jen I am so sorry. Maybe the vet can give you some pain killers for when cali has pain

Hi, sorry about Cali. I hope she doesn't start hurting but I'm glad she has a good mommy that will get her what she needs if the knees become too much for her. :)

Jen, I'm sorry to hear this about Cali...Poor little girl!!

Poor Cali. It really makes you stop and think about wanting such tiny dogs. I've always wanted a tiny but I do not want the heartbreak or enormous vet bills so I'm very glad my 3 pounder is healthy. I didn't realize how small a 1 pound 8 oz yorkie was(I saw one on a website) until I saw one in person...it frickin' scared me! Cali is very lucky to have you. I know chihuahua's and yorkies sometimes just come out extremely tiny(like Cali) but it takes a very special home to take care of them.

Heck, my 5 pound chihuahua has a cold and after a few nights of no sleep I'm a zombie, I can't even imagine what you've been through lately.

Oh POOR Cali :( :( and she's just a baby :( ....that sounds pretty severe :( What are they saying about surgery ? with how tiny she is I'd be scared to death....Oh man Jen - I'm so sorry and kisses to little Cali....

So sorry about your little cali, praying she will not have pain, and will be ok

Jenn, I'm so sorry to hear...I don't know a whole lot about LP but perhaps do some research on the web about hollistic treatments or find a vet that is really into the natural treatments, natural pain medications, supplements, and perhaps add steps to higher areas so that Cali doesn't jump off? Good luck, I know you'll take good care of your Cali. Let's all pray that it is just a mild case and the condition will not worsen as she gets older.

I'm sorry your baby is ill. I hope all goes well. Prayers coming your way.

The vet said right now we should leave it alone but she probably will need surgery in the future on both legs. :( I can't imagine how she would walk if she has both legs done at the same time. :(

Cali doesn't jump off anything. She doesn't even walk down the stairs to go outside, we carry her up and down. I have pet steps for the couch (because she'd never be able to climb up or down it without them) and I have them for my bed as well. Cali has NEVER jumped off the bed or couch or anything high ... she'd get seriously hurt if she did. I just have to make sure she doesn't stand on her back legs or anything and be extra careful with her.

And I really like your suggestion of holistic treatments. I'm going to look into it. Thanks!

Codie (he's 8 lbs) had LP too but he had surgery to correct it and now he's perfectly fine. I know exactly what you mean about a tiny dog, everything is more risky ... surgery, medicine (not to overdose), taking blood, iv's, just everything you can think of. Cali can't even receive a full dose of flea medicine (it would be toxic for her). I only put a little drop on her (less than half of that little tube), as per my vet's instructions.

I wouldn't trade my Cali buns for the world but I definitely don't think a tiny dog is for everyone. Constantly worrying about her is so stressful. Is the house too cold today? Should I turn the AC on or off? If I turn it off, will she get overheated? I'd like to try this new food, will the kibble pieces be too big for her to chew? Can she possibly choke on them? When she drinks water out of a bowl, she sometimes gags because her nose is so close to her mouth. So she has to drink out of a free-standing water bottle. Everything with her has to be analyzed and thought out first, there is no simplicity. Is she worth it? ABSOLUTELY!! I just have to always be extra extra careful with her.

There is a very well recommended Vet in Huntington, NY.

Dr. Miller
Animal Wellness Center
20 West Hills Road
Huntington, NY 11746
631-351-0447

He is into Holistic and Chiropractic Vet care.

I just recieved a booklet of his services, write ups about him and testimonals. There is one story about a Yorkie with LP. Her regular Vet said surgery, but she took the Yorkie to Dr. Miller. He treated the Yorkie for 5 months with holistic treatments and chiropractic treatments. She didn't have to have surgery after that, but she sees Dr. Miller 1x every 3 months for continued treatments. (That lady was from Medford, NY)

Anyway, it might be worth a shot if you'd like to NOT have him go through surgery.

Let me know if you go there and what you think?
Thanks!


...also, I just ordered Synovi G3 Granules for my guys. I got it from www.petexus.com

I will definitely look into this vet! THANK YOU!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :p

Poor little Cali. I'm so sorry she's been diagnosed with LP. It has to be so heartbreaking for you. Bless her sweet little heart. I'll say a prayer!

I'm so sorry for poor little Cali. Not sure where you got her from, but have you contacted her breeder to let her know. I'm sure she'd want to maybe help you on some of the bills since it is a genetic thing. I'll be keeping her in my prayers!!!

Poor little Cali. What a trooper she seems to be. So tiny but so determined.
I hope she can stay pain free for sometime to come Jenn. It's a shame
you have to go down that road again. I also hope the new antibiotics work
for her cold.


Hugs,

So sorry to hear about little Cali. My Gracie was also just diagnosed with LP in both back legs. I will send positive wishes Cali's way.

Jen I can't imagine her having surgery - not to mention the cost....plus what SHE cost omg - we're talking about the same price as a car now - I'm so sorry this is happening and I just pray she isn't in pain now or in the future - Do they think she can live without surgery or is it a must in her future ? Have you told her breeder this is a genetic problem and she needs to not breed those dogs anymore ?

I'm sorry your baby has this. The good news is she has you to take care of her and to get her the best treatment available! Sending warm healing wishes your way...

The vet said most likely she will need surgery in the future. He isn't the least bit thrilled with subjecting Cali's body to the shock of that type of operation but he believes that she will need surgery down the road.

I told the breeder and she told me the mama dog is already spayed and she will notify the stud owner.

I hope Kathryn reimburses you partially for that HUGE amount you paid for Cali and what you will be paying in the future for this. :thumbdown :mad: