patella surgery

[lincolnsluv]

My dog is a mixed breed 5 yr old. He weighs around 15 pounds. About a month ago he started limping on his right leg. I took him to the vet and was told he hurt his knee. He progressively got worse. Last week I took him back to the vet. They did xrays to rule out back problems. I was told his knee caps are messed up. He called it medial patella luxation. Apparently now both legs are messed up. He has been on Previcox for a week with no improvements. I am told next step is surgery. We have a clinic near that can do the surgery for 2400-2800 for both legs. Someone that has been through this told me not to go through with it but to put him down. I need some words of encouragement. I cant put him down. I just cant even stand the thought of that. Has anyone on here had both legs done at the same time? The surgery coordinator told me they do both legs at the same time all the time. She said recovery of course, was easier with one leg but usually when they do one the other messes up during recovery since they over compensate with the good leg. I am thinking since I know both are messed up go ahead and do them both at the same time and get it over with. It would be cheaper and he wouldnt have to go through surgery and recovery twice. Can someone ease my mind here. I know it wont be easy but I think of it as a labor of love. Any advice?

[borzoimom]

Dogs do very well after this surgery. You will need to be vigalant in the recoving part. After the surgery and recovery placing the dog on a suppliment to add in joints will help.

[weezyNollie]

One of our members recently had her toy poodle have both knees done at the same time. I think in one thread she did say hindsight 20/20 she wouldn't have done them at the same time. Makes recovery much more difficult.

Euthanasia is definitely NOT needed, only way I could see this would be due to financial concerns of paying for the surgeries. If an owner can't afford this, then the dogs shouldn't be made to live with this problem and not do surgery.

Surgery is a great option and will keep your dog happy in the long run. I would do some searching for the threads from Deb's Tiny Dogs about her experiences.

Here is the quote:

Originally Posted by Deb's Tiny Dogs

Well, Bogey's home, but today has been a **** day for sure! Even though he has a Fentanyl patch and on metacam, he's still in a lot of pain. He can't get into a comfortable position and cries all the time.

But, the biggest problem is that he won't pee. It's been 16 hours now and nothing. None of the slings work! They all cover his penis or the "one size fits all" is too big. He can't/won't put an ounce of weight on his back legs so I am holding him up by his harness in the front and either putting my hand under his butt or holding him up by his tail.2

Regardless, he will not go. When I put his "cone" on he looks at me like my God, what else can you do to me?

So, I called the hospital and the on call vet told me if he doesn't go by 6 am this morning, I have to take him to the local emergency vet and have him catherized. They are BIG bucks so I can't afford to do this everyday.

If you asked me today, I would say do not have both legs done at once. Maybe in a week or so I'll feel differently.

Pray for pee!

And then the link to the thread: http://www.prodoggroomingsupplies.co...ad.php?t=50879

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by lincolnsluv

My dog is a mixed breed 5 yr old. He weighs around 15 pounds. About a month ago he started limping on his right leg. I took him to the vet and was told he hurt his knee. He progressively got worse. Last week I took him back to the vet. They did xrays to rule out back problems. I was told his knee caps are messed up. He called it medial patella luxation. Apparently now both legs are messed up. He has been on Previcox for a week with no improvements. I am told next step is surgery. We have a clinic near that can do the surgery for 2400-2800 for both legs. Someone that has been through this told me not to go through with it but to put him down. I need some words of encouragement. I cant put him down. I just cant even stand the thought of that. Has anyone on here had both legs done at the same time? The surgery coordinator told me they do both legs at the same time all the time. She said recovery of course, was easier with one leg but usually when they do one the other messes up during recovery since they over compensate with the good leg. I am thinking since I know both are messed up go ahead and do them both at the same time and get it over with. It would be cheaper and he wouldnt have to go through surgery and recovery twice. Can someone ease my mind here. I know it wont be easy but I think of it as a labor of love. Any advice?

My 10 year-old Poodle had both knees done on July 30th and he's doing great. I'm not sure if I'd do both knees at the same time again because it makes for a really difficult, prolonged recovery. On the other hand, you do get them both over with at once, less anesthesia and less cost.

I'm worked from home which I felt was absoulutely nesc. when doing both knees. I spent a lot of time with Bogey on rehab right after surgery and for the past several months. The first 1-2 weeks sucks, but it gets much better after that. You just must be beyond diligent about keeping them crated, no running, no jumping or stairs for several months.

Bogey's was a bad case - his luxatting pattela's were a grade 4 (what are your dog's?), he had ACL tears and he needed a tibia crest repositioning.

I had his surgery done at a vet teaching hospital, which I highly recommend, even if it's a long drive.

There is more than one type of surgery for this problem. A good person to pm about that is WeezyOllie. She's a really knowledgable vet tech plus!

I highly encourage you to do some research on the internet about this problem and the different ways to correct it.

My dog had had knee problems for a couple of years before I made the decision. Every case is different. Are they certain this is not just a bad injury? What reason(s) are they giving you for the need for surgery.

If you have the resources to afford it and the time to invest in the recovery, there's no reason to put a dog down for bad knees, in my opinion.

[lincolnsluv]

Thanks for the encouragement ladies. I am not sure what grade his are. We go to the specialist next Monday....I may call them back and see if we can get in sooner. I am certain they are going to give me more info than my regular vet. The place I am taking him to is a speciality hospital for dogs. We have used them before when our dachshund busted his diaphragm. It is a very professional place. Most of the vets in this area refer you to them for surgeries. The surgery coordinator said they do this surgery all the time. I didnt even realize this could happen to dogs. Wow, I am learning alot. I am a nurse by trade but only go in when needed or when I call to put myself on the schedule. I will be able to take the time off to stay and care for him. I am going to read the thread suggested. I guess my logic was to do them both at once and get it over with. I may change my mind after reading the thread. I'll know more too once I see the vet and get his recommendations. Thanks again. I have been so stressed out about this to the point of not sleeping. I do feel better now knowing others have made it through successfully.

[luvin my dogs]

I am starting week 2 post surgery. This is the second surgery on the same patella. The first one had a complication. It was very very rough the second time around. She is off pain killers, last dose of antibiotic and on a horse dose of tranq. She is moving amazingly well for "just" have having the surgery. I am amazed and horrified by how active she would be if allowed be as active as she would like.
The staples are due to come out shortly. She will be re x rayed as well.
The first week was horrid. Not going to sugar coat it. She cried and moaned. I slept on the floor with her for days. Maybe 2 hours sleep a night. I did post that I thought I would have to euthanize her. I was so frustrated and distressed. She is 1 1/2 years old. She's like Gumby.
The price you were quoted is really good. Maven was $2400 for one knee. The second surgery was no charge. This is not a life and death situation.
Confinement is a must. A crate or a x pen as small as it goes. I went with x pen.
I am still in the hoping and still scared she will hurt herself more phase, but I wouldn't do it any other way!
If finances are an issue, carecredit is your friend.
Good luck and keep your chin up!
Pics of post op in my file if you are interested. Not great, but they are there.

[lincolnsluv]

What is a x pen? I have never heard of that. I figure being in a crate will be the worst for Lincoln. He absolutely hates the crate. I am thinking I can section an area off in our bedroom to lay with him on the floor instead of crating him the whole time. I think he would be more secure that way. We also have a small portable kennel we take camping with us. I might bring it inside and keep him in that. I guess I am throwing around ideas for now. Not really sure what I am in for yet.

[Moo]

Originally Posted by lincolnsluv

What is a x pen? I have never heard of that. I figure being in a crate will be the worst for Lincoln. He absolutely hates the crate. I am thinking I can section an area off in our bedroom to lay with him on the floor instead of crating him the whole time. I think he would be more secure that way. We also have a small portable kennel we take camping with us. I might bring it inside and keep him in that. I guess I am throwing around ideas for now. Not really sure what I am in for yet.

[lincolnsluv]

Ok, yeah, that is what we have for camping. We have a couple we clip together to make a bigger pen for our two dogs. Thanks.

[luvin my dogs]

Exactly hers is 2' x '4 at present which is about the size of her bed. And room for a water bowl. She has toys to chew on. She is on a leash to go potty.
I thought I could keep her quiet in one room. Thus the failure of the first surgery. I blame myself for her added pain, and so I should. She's not smart enough to be still, so I have to be.
It's work. Like a sick kid. Meds are so important. I learned some very important lessons the wrong way.
I learned that if I were to ever have to deal with a fentanyl patch again, I would give something like tramadol or rimidyl before that. Removing the patch hit her like a ton of bricks.
She'll be ok now. I am confident. I think. It's always hard to watch your "kid" struggle the first week or so.
I had good people advising me on getting her to drink and eat post op.
She had pain reaction and shook and shook and cried. as a last ditch effort I pulled out the heating pad set to warm. It calmed her some and allowed me to sleep. She needed the pad for several days.
I did use diluted baby food and some electrolyte to hydrate her for a few days. The second surgery it didn't work, she had had her fill of everything!
I'd do it again if I had to. Makes a knot in my stomach at present, because we've done it twice in a very short period.
Chances are the other will need to be done eventually.