New Kid on the Block - YorkieTalk.com Forums

MaryJoC · 09-08-2007, 08:36 AM

Hi, my name is Mary, I'm new to this site. I have a 3 year old Yorkshire terrier named Nugget. She is the love of my life. I've recently been told that Nugget has Luxating Patella and needs surgery on both back legs. I knew she had this condition since I got her as a puppy but decided to wait to see if it gave her any problems. She has been terribly pigeon toed since we got her. Recently her rear left knee came out of the socket and she limped around for about 4 hours then all of a sudden her knee went back in place and now she's fine. Of course the veterinarian suggests surgery and I'm scared to death to put her through that. I'm wondering if anybody out there has had this surgery on their Yorkie and how their dogs did and I'm wondering if anybody has a Yorkie that needed this surgery but they opted not to do it and how their dog faired through the years? I have the book "Yorkies Head To Tail" by Sandra Lemire and in the book she really discourages anybody from cutting into their Yorkie and causing such pain to the dog, so I'm nervous about going forward with the surgery. I'd appreciate anybody's feed back. Thanks.

Julz · 09-08-2007, 09:18 AM

Welcome to YT!! What level of LP does Nugget have? Sounds bad to me. My Mom has a girl with LP from an injury (can happens so easily with Yorkies). She has a vet that is only charging.......$350 for the surgery! Lots of people on here have spents thousands to get the LP repaired. After surgery, the hard part is keeping them confined with a lot of down time while they heal. You can do a search on here and will find quite a bit of info on LP. You can call around to different vets to see what they charge for this operation. You will find that it can be quite a difference in price range. I wish you and Nugget the very best!

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 09-08-2007, 09:29 AM

Hi Mary! Welcome to YT and we would love to see pictures of Nugget!!

I have 2 yorkies both with LP in their back knees. I was made aware with both of them when they were very young, but based on one doctor's 2nd opinion decided to wait on surgery until the LP was causing them not to be able to function normally daily. Magic is turning 3 and has very little trouble and Sailor is 2 1/2 and we are seeing the LP several times a week with Sailor. (Her knee pops out and she will sit down or lay down for several minutes to an hour and rest....then she is back up playing.) I do think surgery will be necessary in the next year or so.....in fact I need to take both of them in to my vet and check what level of LP they are currently at. Last timed I priced the surgery it was $500 per leg. The one thing that was suggested is regular walks.....it helps build strength in the legs and muscles. When we walk regularly.....we do not see the LP as much!!

Good luck with your decision about Nugget's LP....and again, Welcome!!

Yorkiekids · 09-08-2007, 09:38 AM

I'd get a second opinion, but if your pup is in pain I'd seriously about it. A lot of people on here have had it done with success.

IluvLucy · 09-08-2007, 01:27 PM

Rebel had the back left knee operated on for LP and torn ligament 5 weeks ago. He's fine now. He also had LP in the back right knee, but his vet wants to wait a while to do the surgery.

We had a very positive experience with the surgery, the problem came trying to keep him from over doing it afterwards.

Good luck and I love your baby's name

alaskayorkie · 09-08-2007, 02:02 PM

Welcome to YT. I have no experience with LP, but I'm a believer in surgery when it's necessary. My 10-year-old had a cranial cruciate injury when I rescued him, and he walked on three legs all the time. The vet felt his knee joint and was startled that it was dislocated all the time.

I ponied up $1,300 and was told he would need six months of physical therapy to fully recover. Well, he was about 90 percent the day he got his cast off, and he's been 100 percent since the first couple months after the surgery. No physical therapy required. He self-healed. January will be 2 years. The way I look at it, it's cost me $1.78 a day to have a happy and healthy dog. Well worth it.

Winstin07 · 09-08-2007, 02:17 PM

Welcome. You will love this place it is so full of info. I honestly do not know a thing about LP. I wish you and Nugget the best and hope to see a picture soon. Best of luck. I will be praying that you and Nugget make the correct decision.
Yorkie Hugs,
Jen

09-08-2007, 08:36 AM	#1
MaryJoC YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 4	New Kid on the Block Hi, my name is Mary, I'm new to this site. I have a 3 year old Yorkshire terrier named Nugget. She is the love of my life. I've recently been told that Nugget has Luxating Patella and needs surgery on both back legs. I knew she had this condition since I got her as a puppy but decided to wait to see if it gave her any problems. She has been terribly pigeon toed since we got her. Recently her rear left knee came out of the socket and she limped around for about 4 hours then all of a sudden her knee went back in place and now she's fine. Of course the veterinarian suggests surgery and I'm scared to death to put her through that. I'm wondering if anybody out there has had this surgery on their Yorkie and how their dogs did and I'm wondering if anybody has a Yorkie that needed this surgery but they opted not to do it and how their dog faired through the years? I have the book "Yorkies Head To Tail" by Sandra Lemire and in the book she really discourages anybody from cutting into their Yorkie and causing such pain to the dog, so I'm nervous about going forward with the surgery. I'd appreciate anybody's feed back. Thanks.

09-08-2007, 09:29 AM	#3
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	Hi Mary! Welcome to YT and we would love to see pictures of Nugget!! I have 2 yorkies both with LP in their back knees. I was made aware with both of them when they were very young, but based on one doctor's 2nd opinion decided to wait on surgery until the LP was causing them not to be able to function normally daily. Magic is turning 3 and has very little trouble and Sailor is 2 1/2 and we are seeing the LP several times a week with Sailor. (Her knee pops out and she will sit down or lay down for several minutes to an hour and rest....then she is back up playing.) I do think surgery will be necessary in the next year or so.....in fact I need to take both of them in to my vet and check what level of LP they are currently at. Last timed I priced the surgery it was $500 per leg. The one thing that was suggested is regular walks.....it helps build strength in the legs and muscles. When we walk regularly.....we do not see the LP as much!! Good luck with your decision about Nugget's LP....and again, Welcome!! __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain

09-08-2007, 09:38 AM	#4
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I'd get a second opinion, but if your pup is in pain I'd seriously about it. A lot of people on here have had it done with success. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

09-08-2007, 01:27 PM	#5
IluvLucy Lovin' Lucy & Rebel Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 4,438	Rebel had the back left knee operated on for LP and torn ligament 5 weeks ago. He's fine now. He also had LP in the back right knee, but his vet wants to wait a while to do the surgery. We had a very positive experience with the surgery, the problem came trying to keep him from over doing it afterwards. Good luck and I love your baby's name __________________ Kim , Rebel ,and baby Dixie RIP my sweet Lucy

09-08-2007, 02:02 PM	#6
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	Welcome to YT. I have no experience with LP, but I'm a believer in surgery when it's necessary. My 10-year-old had a cranial cruciate injury when I rescued him, and he walked on three legs all the time. The vet felt his knee joint and was startled that it was dislocated all the time. I ponied up $1,300 and was told he would need six months of physical therapy to fully recover. Well, he was about 90 percent the day he got his cast off, and he's been 100 percent since the first couple months after the surgery. No physical therapy required. He self-healed. January will be 2 years. The way I look at it, it's cost me $1.78 a day to have a happy and healthy dog. Well worth it. __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

09-08-2007, 09:18 AM	#2
Julz Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4,347	Welcome to YT!! What level of LP does Nugget have? Sounds bad to me. My Mom has a girl with LP from an injury (can happens so easily with Yorkies). She has a vet that is only charging.......$350 for the surgery! Lots of people on here have spents thousands to get the LP repaired. After surgery, the hard part is keeping them confined with a lot of down time while they heal. You can do a search on here and will find quite a bit of info on LP. You can call around to different vets to see what they charge for this operation. You will find that it can be quite a difference in price range. I wish you and Nugget the very best!

09-08-2007, 02:17 PM	#7
Winstin07 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 513	Welcome. You will love this place it is so full of info. I honestly do not know a thing about LP. I wish you and Nugget the best and hope to see a picture soon. Best of luck. I will be praying that you and Nugget make the correct decision. Yorkie Hugs, Jen