Thor has LP grade 2. :(
 

The vet said it's nothing to worry about and he shows no signs. I'm just sad bc he's always been a healthy and relatively sturdy dog. I want him to live forever.

Awww, listen to your vet. He is going to be fine and with you for a very long time.

I'm sorry. :( I know it's hard to get any type of bad news about our babies. But like your vet said, it's nothing to worry about! Some pups live forever with grade 4 LP and live a great, long, healthy life. Give Thor big kisses from me!

Hopefully he will never have symptoms and live a long happy life.

I am so sorry i love Thor he is a fine baby

Sorry to hear about Thor. One of mine has two grade-4 LPs and is almost 11 living life to the fullest so this is definitely not a death sentence but I know what you mean, I want mine to live forever too.

Aw! I had to smile when you wrote "I want him to live forever" :)
LP is not fatal...

So sorry about little Thor. Dudley has alittle bit of a problem too. I am just not going to let him gain weight and TRY to keep him from jumping too much. We know how that goes with these little ones. lol!!! Little Thor is a sweetie.

I'm sorry. I am sure you were sad when he told you that, but your vet doesn't seem to think it's anything to worry about. I imagine he'll never have any problem with it. Does he run a lot and jump a lot?

awww Sweet little Thor!! Sorry you got that news...but like others have said...it's not fatal!! Thank goodness! Give him xoxo from me and my flower babies!

I'm sorry to hear that Thor has LP. But please don't get scared. Sammy has grade 1 LP and if you saw him run around you would never even know it. The vet told me no stairs (I carry him in and out-it's only 3 steps) and no jumping on the furniture. He also takes glucosomine and chondroiton. Did your vet recommend a joint supplement? Thor will have a long and happy life. Sending hugs!

Thanks, you guys. I know I am being kind of silly. It's just that he originally came from a pet store that specialized in tiny dogs, so I consider it a minor miracle that he's so healthy. And for a dog that weighs less than 4 lbs, he is quite resiliant physically.

When when I came to YT, I read that a lot of genetic problems show up in yorkies by the fourth year of life, so when his fourth birthday rolled around and his health was perfect, I was like, okay, Thor is obviously invincible.

This is the first thing that's wrong and can only get worse. It's kind of like finding my first grey hair, I guess. I was so proud when the vet was checking off heart, great, lungs, great, weight, great, and then very casually she mentioned that he had some knee cap slippage, and asked if he ever favors one leg or the other. I know to look for that, and Thor doesn't do it. She said it's no big deal, and then I asked, so would it be grade 1 LP? Then she said no, 2, and the right is slipping around more than the left.

Thor actually does jump around quite a bit, and goes up and down stairs all the time. Is this bad? I've read a lot about LP here, but not much of it has stuck, I guess. I'm going to need to do some reading.

I am so sorry to hear he has LP. I wish him the best!

I'm sorry that you received this news, but if Thor acts like it's not bothering him then that should bring you some comfort. My Izzy is on Cosequin for her LP and is still doing fine with just taking supplements, as opposed to surgery. I had to get a second opinion on hers because her breeder insisted and was told by both that hers are a grade 3. The first vet said surgery immediately and the second vet recommended that we try supplements and see how she does because she wasn't acting like it bothers her. The only thing Izzy will do is that she walks pretty straight legged....but not always. She is very active and probably more than she should be, but it doesn't seem to hurt her. She is our one that will jump up and down like she is on springs when she is excited to see us. We used to try to stop her, but she does it a lot and we can't always get to her right away to pick her up. Your Thor sounds like he is doing just fine so *try* not to worry (easier said than done, I know). ;)

Hugs to you and that sweet boy!

Sending good thoughts to you and little Thor. Try to put this news in it's place...the day my never come that you will have to think of it again.

Kisses to little guy, XXOO & Hugs to you!

Thor is just fine, hold onto that thought!

I know exactly how you're feeling. Sasha had to exam last month and everything has always checked out fine. This time, the vet gave her a grade 3 LP in her rear right leg. She has never shown any symptoms so the vet said it's nothing to worry about right now. I do give her cosequin everyday and now I've been trying to be a little more strict about her jumping. She has always been at a healthy weight and I'm hoping to continue with that. My heart sunk when the vet told me this to because like Thor, Sasha has always been extremely healthy so hearing that made my heart drop. They will be just fine though!

I am sorry, we had a very similar conversation with our vet last Sunday. Well wishes coming to you both from NY!

Sorry to hear this and I hope Thor never shows symptoms. I do believe limiting jumping is a good idea. Did your vet recommend supplements?

No, she didn't. However, I happen to give him "Happy Hips" treats that have Chondroitin (sp?). I was unprepared, so I didn't ask her many questions.

One thing I didn't understand, for instance, is that it seemed like she only checked his back legs. Can dogs get LP in their front legs?

When I play catch with Thor in the house, he loooooves jumping on the couch for his treat. And then when I throw the toy again, he jumps off. I can make sure he uses a cushion for the jump offs. Also, I tend to encourage him to jump out of the car. I don't even know why I do that. That will stop.

Thanks again for the support. I knew you guys would understand.

A sad welcome to the LP Club :( Jillie has between Grades 1-2. I had your same reaction when it was diagnosed -- I pulled her out of agility and started preparing to give her a life of inactivity. But a specialist encouraged me to let her be a dog and enjoy life. He said many Yorkies with LP go through their lives with no disabilities.

Oh, and sorry about your gray hairs :p

Oh - I'm sorry to hear that - I do know how you feel. Bridget was diagnosed with a grade 2-3 several months ago (probably 6 anyway)and I felt like someone hit me on the head with a brick. I cried like a baby thinking her life would be so much less than she deserves and that I'd never see my baby running and playing. She was diagnosed after an injury - so she was limping at the time and the vet put her on pain meds and anti-inflammitories (sp) so every time I looked at her it broke my heart to see her limp. Well let me tell you that was the last time I ever saw her limp. She races through this house like she's running a 5K marathon, and she's gonna win. She and her sister Greta wrestle, and she gets on her hind legs when she wants to see whats going on up high. We are using a ramp, and we don't let her jump off the furniture, but we don't let Greta do it either. Bridget and Greta are both on joint supplements as well.
I know every baby is different, but I'm sure Thor will be just fine. I also know reading these positive posts gives you hope, but it's hard to believe until you see it yourself. He'll be fine - you'll see!

Awww. Cute little Thor will be fine. Lucy has LP in both rear legs; though no one has given me a grade; they slip in an out very easily.

The ER vet who diagnosed her told me to be careful if anyone tried to rush me into surgery; to be sure and get more than one opinion. He did advise to keep her a normal weight and limit her jumping (easier said that done). So far, she's had no further problems though I imagine that could change with age.

BUT, both Lucy and Thor are going to live forever so we'd best keep those knees in good shape.

Sorry to hear your upsetting news. I'm sure you'll do the best to minimize the impact and help Thor live a long pain-free life. I wish you both all the best!

Thor may never need surgery. Just do your best to keep his jumping to a minimum.

No, they do not get LP in their front legs....there are no knees in the front legs.

Sorry to hear about little Thor. He is sure a cutie!!! It sounds like, from reading the other posts, that maybe, there is a good chance he won't ever be too affected by it. I'm hoping your little guy is gonna be OK. Take care.

OOPS.....I accidently hit the quote button before I typed my post. Oh well.

Sorry to hear about Thor. I know how you feel. I was sad and shocked when the vet told me about Pnuts LP. He has 2 and 3 :( He limps or does the little hippity hop thing on and off, esp when its cold. He was on Cosequin but he started to get sick, like he would throw up if he didn\'t take the pill on a full stomach. So I had to switch him to this other supplement, its a little chewable. Works a little better, but when he was on the Cosequin he didn\'t limp at all!! That stuff is amazing!