Sammy's knees :( Hi all. Yesterday I posted about Sammy limping after resting. So I took him to the vet today and you guys were right. He said he has Luxating Patella in both legs! I'm so sad. I knew nothng about it until yesterday and he explained everthing to me. He might need surgery. The vet said Level 3 on the right side and Level 2 on the left. This really sucks!!!! He gave me something called Dasuquin which is a Joint Health SUpplement. The only good thing about this is that I got a whole year's supply for $78. He referred me to a surgeon that I have to call and get some knee and hip x-rays done. I can't believe this. I know there are probably so many more of you out there who have gone through worse, but it like you never want to think somehtings wrong with your baby. He recommed Sammy lose weight. He's 12.8 lbs still so that's ok, but he needs to lose something. W'ere thinking doing 2miles, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. SHould I try diet or low fat dog food? Please anything you can recommend will be greatly appreciated. Thanks |
Swimming might be a good choice of exercise because it is good for joints. You can cut out treats and feed raw vegetables instead. If you are feeding a food that has a low fat version you could go to that or just cut back on what you are feeding. |
I'm sorry it was luxating patellas, but glad you are seeing a specialist. If surgery is recommended, it's best just to get it done as soon as possible before the joint can degenerate more and become arthritic. How much weight does Sammy have to lose? I was faced with the same thing when Lady was diagnosed with diabetes years ago. I cut out her treats as Ellie May suggested and started giving her frozen green beans (slightly thawed). She loves them and lost all the weight without feeling starved. Mother Hubbard also makes a lowfat Just Veggin' biscuit. Portion control is a big thing. Lady is my first little dog and I had no eye for the proper portion size for her meals or treat size. I now carefully follow the package instructions by weight when I switch to a new kibble. I also give her tiny treats. Cloud Star's Itty Bitty Buddy Biscuits are another good one. I give Lady the sweet potato biscuit. |
I am sorry to hear about Sammy. Hopefully the meds will help him and the x-rays won't show an immediate need for surgery. Perhaps with a little weight loss and meds he will be ok for awhile. Good luck to you and Sammy. |
Crystal is right.. swimming is GREAT. Layla has stage 2 in her back leg and we "swim" in the tub once a week.. it's great for her knee... and walking is WONDERFUL too!! What does he eat? how much? |
A few weeks ago for his annual the vet said 2 lbs would be ideal, now I guess I was so flustered that I didn't even bother to ask. He's 12.8 lbs now, but the hting is he's not fat. I can't even imagine him weighing 9. but i'm gonna try. I bought Nutro Natural Choice Lite buscuits. That's what the lady at PetSmart recomended and bought the 25% reduced fat food of the one I usually get him. I spent like 2 hours at the store comparing labels on everyhting . And i'm going to do the veggies. The biggest problem with this now is getting my HUSBAND to do this. HE's THE ONE who's been giving him treats like crazy especially when I'm not around cause when I'm home I tell him not to and i'm convinced that's why he's put on so much weight. I've been just giving him a small paper cup full, and when I actually measured it today it's actually MUCH LESS than what I'm supposed to give him. Anyway, enoiugh rambling..... I'm sure he will be fine and I have an appointemtn with the surgeon for a consultation on Wed. the 30th. So I'll let you guys know what he says. |
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what brand of food are you feeing? |
Right now it's Purina One it was the Lamb formula, now I bought a SMALL bag of healthy weight (Purina) because it was so overwhelming at the pet store and I couldn't pick. I looked at the Royal Canin sp?? that is mentioned here sometimes but it seemed that one had more fat. I was trying to read the I do want to switch him over to something better considering everything I've been reading on the other thread and learning from you guys. hehe. |
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Please google Nutro before giving those biscuits. Nutro has made a lot of dogs very sick and I wouldn't trust the company one bit. |
sorry your yorkie has LPs. Where is the specialist that your DVM referred you to? marcerella02 is right about Purina. its not good at all. Go to petsmart and pick up wellness or solid gold. they are much better choices |
Hopewell Junction- about 30 minutes from here. Dr. McNamara; do you know him? I do plan on getting more than one consultation/eval. so if any of you north jersey/OC new yorkers know one let me know. |
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If you have to have surgery, don't freak out! We had a good surgery experience. They did both of my Sammy's knees at once. The first 3 days were hard because she was in pain, but then she figured out how to walk on the casts and she was OK. After she got the bandages off it was 1-2 more hard days, then the worst part was just limiting her activity. She was back to normal after 4-5 weeks. The difference is amazing. She walks better... jumps higher... she was always a happy dog but now she is even happier. :D |
The vet explained to me what the surgery does. I'm already freaking out among othe things.... The surgeon should be able to answer all my questions, but I won't get any sleep between now and next week when I go. Does the surgery take care of the probolem permanently? |
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