I know a lot of surgeries are a big success and really help. I know yorkiecrazy has had three yorkies that have had LP surgery. She said one still limps a little

Aww, I'm sorry. :(

How old is Ranger?

My Mom's little girl Izzie was limping alot so they took her to the Specialist in AZ and he confirmed LP - he said Grade III

After surgery, he told my parents that she had already had arthritis set in :(
They are giving her Cosiquin daily too to help her with that arthritis - she doesn't limp anymore, but my Dad swears she sometimes walks funny ~ who knows....Sometimes we wind up stairs so much we think we see odd things :cool:

I put DH in charge of research, so he's got a stack of old vet books in front of him... Here is an abstract from a peer-reviewed study done at Kansas State:

"Medial patella luxation is a common orthopedic problem of toy and miniature breed dogs with a complex and poorly understood pathogenesis. Joint pathology increases with age and luxation grade, and surgical correction should be performed at the earliest opportunity to limit further development of skeletal abnormalities or degenerative joint disease. Combination of trochlear wedge recession or tibial crest transposition with joint imbrication-capsulectomy are sufficient to correct patella luxation in most dogs. Surgical correction of patella luxation grades 1, 2, or 3 results generally in a successful clinical outcome, whereas surgical correction of grade 4 patella luxations carries a guarded prognosis in the young dog."

So far, this is consistent with the research we have read..

He will be two on July 2nd.

It does seem like it is much, much better to get it done at early onset than to wait until grade three or four.. Our preliminary research is indicating that arthritis is quick to set in in grade threes and fours.

Thanks for your recovery story :rolleyes: at least your honest ;)

OMG Amanda! I didnt even really notice him limping today. I know you did, but I just must have missed it. I am sorry. You have been busy this afternoon. I know you will do what is best for little Ranger, BIG HUGS!

Thanks Robin. I think I mentioned it when we were outside, that he has been doing that recently. I just stopped by Kelly's on the way home to weigh them and make an appointment for his rabies shot, but he was able to do it all right then. I think I stopped more for him to check his knees than for his shot.

BTW- Ranger is 4.7 and Ryder is STILL 2.9 :confused: I SWEAR he had gained more weight than that! It is actually good that Ranger is on the thin side because excess weight can be a big factor in recovery.... Great to see you today, if Ranger has to stay overnight after surgery I am picking up Cooper for the night, just so you know ;)

Hi All,
After reading this info on the degrees I am alittle nervous. At 15wks. I was told my female, PIXI has LP but hers is because the grove isn't deep enough or something like that. I am really upset about it. She only weighs alittle over 3# and just the thought really worries me. The ortho vet said no need to rush to the OR, what do ya'll think? Thanks everybody, I really enjoy reading the comments. This is actually our 5&6th Yorkies, these are bro, sis siblings and now are 17weeks. We got our first puppy in 1976 and have had them ever since.... NEver had a knee problem with any of them... weird....Hugs

I can't answer that question for you... I can barely answer them for myself. I am think that there are different protocols for juvenile onset and adult onset of symptoms. At almost two, Ranger is completely developed. As yours is a pup, I would think that with proper conditioning you may be able to deal with it by strengthening and conditioning the muscles/tendons/ligaments. Certainly something for you to research though. Good luck.

Thanks a bunch kiddo/

I'm so sorry to hear about Ranger! Harley's knees and hips were just checked and were fine, so hopefully he doesn't develop the problem, too.

When is Ranger going in for surgery? Give him lots of hugs and kisses for me!

Poor Ranger! I'm so sorry Amanda! I hope everything goes well for the little guy!

Sorry to hear that Ranger has LP:( (((hugs))) xxx

I feel so bad for our little buddy Ranger, and for you too. It's so hard when our furbabys need surgery. :big_hug:

I'm sorry Amanda. :(

LP is just another area in vet medicine that doesn't really make sense.
In Ranger's case the right answer seems obvious...surgery.
Then you have all the Yorkies out there with grade 1 or 2.
We could all rush to surgery in fear that arthritis is going to set in but then probably close to 90% of Yorkies would be having ortho surgery.:eek:

Ellie has a very mild case in one leg.
She is on Cosequin and doesn't carry it.
We are leaving it alone.

At least you have your husband to research for you. :)

Have you chosen his surgeon?

Thanks Lisa. I hope Harley doesn't come up with it either! We haven't yet scheduled the surgery, but I am opting for sooner rather than later. If I could get it done the end of April/first of May, at least he would have the later half of summer and the fall to have a fun time :( I just don't know how I'm going to keep him happy and still at the same time for six weeks :(

Thanks girl, I appreciate it.

:hug: