Cali Has LP in Both Back Legs - YorkieTalk.com Forums

JCarlson2004 · 08-13-2007, 12:41 PM

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?

Rae Rae · 08-13-2007, 12:44 PM

Aw poor Cali

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

Patti · 08-13-2007, 12:56 PM

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

cindy0721 · 08-13-2007, 12:56 PM

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

Breny · 08-13-2007, 12:56 PM

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!!!

LuvMySissy · 08-13-2007, 01:22 PM

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!!

browniesmom622 · 08-13-2007, 01:27 PM

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

vainchick5 · 08-13-2007, 01:34 PM

This is why not everyone should be breeding!

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

chachi · 08-13-2007, 01:53 PM

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

Dina_Nichole · 08-13-2007, 02:17 PM

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.

Yorkieluv · 08-13-2007, 02:21 PM

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

makemepretty · 08-13-2007, 02:21 PM

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.

red98vett · 08-13-2007, 02:53 PM

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....

littlewhip · 08-13-2007, 02:57 PM

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

sassypup · 08-13-2007, 03:20 PM

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.

08-13-2007, 12:41 PM	#1
JCarlson2004 Mommy To 3 Poochies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 8,287	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? __________________ Mommy Loves Codie, Tia & Baby Cali RIP My Precious Katie - I Love You

08-13-2007, 12:56 PM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Oh poor baby. The Missing Link should help. Also, minimizing any jumping and no standing on just her back legs. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

08-13-2007, 12:56 PM	#4
cindy0721 Always In My Heart Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 3,393	oh gos Jen, I m so sorry... I am glad there is hope.. thank goodness she is not in pain... __________________ Cindy & Gizmo Gizmo on Dogster *Rest in peace My Madda* *very much*

08-13-2007, 12:56 PM	#5
Breny My Tiny Treasures Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: . Posts: 11,789 Blog Entries: 3	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!!! __________________ http://BrenysExquisiteYorkies.com

08-13-2007, 01:22 PM	#6
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	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!! __________________ Sissy & Angel

08-13-2007, 12:44 PM	#2
Rae Rae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,823	Aw poor Cali I hope you can keep her pain free, wish I had advice on it. I'll keep her in my prayers

08-13-2007, 01:27 PM	#7
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ny Posts: 11,253 Blog Entries: 5	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 __________________ We Love our Yt Angel! My Website< > FB page

08-13-2007, 01:34 PM	#8
vainchick5 YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,588	This is why not everyone should be breeding! 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 __________________ Mommy to Coco and Rocco

08-13-2007, 01:53 PM	#9
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Oh Jen I am so sorry. Maybe the vet can give you some pain killers for when cali has pain __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-13-2007, 02:17 PM	#10
Dina_Nichole I Love My Munchkins! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: My Babies ♥'s! Posts: 8,765	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. __________________ I My Lil Furballs!! Pia Mojo ~ Trixie Murphy ~ Paisley Max

08-13-2007, 02:21 PM	#11
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	Jen, I'm sorry to hear this about Cali...Poor little girl!! __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

08-13-2007, 02:21 PM	#12
makemepretty YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Middleville Posts: 933	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. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=369717

08-13-2007, 02:53 PM	#13
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	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.... __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-13-2007, 02:57 PM	#14
littlewhip Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: wiith my furbabys Posts: 8,874	So sorry about your little cali, praying she will not have pain, and will be ok __________________

08-13-2007, 03:20 PM	#15
sassypup Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: S. Ca Posts: 1,905	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.