Has Anyone Opted Not To Have Knee Surgery? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Crazy4Carlee · 09-22-2008, 07:28 AM

My know-it-all husband seems to think Coopers knee surgery was unnecessary and refers to it as "cosmetic" surgery.
I'm wondering if for reasons of your own, you were told your dog needed surgery and you didn't have it done. How did your dog do and do you regret not doing it after all?

izzierj · 09-22-2008, 07:52 AM

My Izzie is scheduled to have knee surgery tomorrow...I wouldn't neglect it...I notice her laying down more and if my Cole jumps at her , she sweaks, so I know she needs it done...She is in stage 3...You could sometimes see her little leg twist a bit when she walks...It's a long recovery (6-8 weeks) of having her basically rest, good luck to me !

smartpuppiepets · 09-22-2008, 12:05 PM

do not know anything about that , only what i read online, but people here seem to know about everything so i am posting to get more visible.

Curious on the answers too .

Good luck with your puppy, hopefully he will be well and not need any surgery at all... did you think about getting a second opinion from a diferent vet? It may prove your husband right or may convince him of the need of the surgery ...

Patti · 09-22-2008, 12:13 PM

My Cali has grade 4 LP but has not shown any problems with it so far. She is 3. My vet said to just keep a close eye on her and then we will determine if she should ahve surgery. I know most people would opt for surgery, but Cali has had so many helath issues that we are taking a wait see approach. Should she show any symptoms I would of course have surgery.

Timmy · 09-22-2008, 12:14 PM

My Mimi is a grade 3 on both back knees but the ortho vet recommended that we do not do surgery at this time because its not bothering her. She walks, runs & play normal. He said that once I notice her limp or favor a leg then its surgery time but in the meantime he wouldn't recommend it. My regular vet said the same thing.

LunasMomma · 09-22-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

My Mimi is a grade 3 on both back knees but the ortho vet recommended that we do not do surgery at this time because its not bothering her. She walks, runs & play normal. He said that once I notice her limp or favor a leg then its surgery time but in the meantime he wouldn't recommend it. My regular vet said the same thing.

Exactly what my vet recommended to us on Luna. She's a grade 3 in her left and grade 2 on the right. She runs like the wind, dances on her hind legs, and pounces on her sister, so it's obviously not bothering her. They'll let you know when they're in pain, then it's time to do something about it.

Crazy4Carlee · 09-22-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzierj

My Izzie is scheduled to have knee surgery tomorrow...I wouldn't neglect it...I notice her laying down more and if my Cole jumps at her , she sweaks, so I know she needs it done...She is in stage 3...You could sometimes see her little leg twist a bit when she walks...It's a long recovery (6-8 weeks) of having her basically rest, good luck to me !

Good Luck with Izzie. Cooper is now one week post-op and it's kind of been a roller coaster ride already.

Crazy4Carlee · 09-22-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartpuppiepets

do not know anything about that , only what i read online, but people here seem to know about everything so i am posting to get more visible.

Curious on the answers too .

Good luck with your puppy, hopefully he will be well and not need any surgery at all... did you think about getting a second opinion from a diferent vet? It may prove your husband right or may convince him of the need of the surgery ...

No second opinion because our vet is already an ortho specialist. He's already had the surgery so my husband is determined to prove he was right, blah, blah, blah.

magsy17 · 09-22-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

My Mimi is a grade 3 on both back knees but the ortho vet recommended that we do not do surgery at this time because its not bothering her. She walks, runs & play normal. He said that once I notice her limp or favor a leg then its surgery time but in the meantime he wouldn't recommend it. My regular vet said the same thing.

Ditto on Mia she has LP3 on both knees and she runs like a bangee never limps or cries when walking/running or playing.

ashleybug · 09-23-2008, 08:27 PM

My Sophia had a grade 3 lp. Our ortho vet had watched it progress from being a grade 1 as a pup to a grade 3 at 2 yrs. He said we would only do surgery when she showed that she was bothered by it. When she started sitting down and refusing to go any further during the middle of her walks, we knew it was time. Wait until your baby tells you it really bothers her and then do it since it is such as long recovery. If you don't do it, it will only get worse over time. You don't want her having a grade 5 when she's 9 yrs old and then it's more risky for anesthesia!

labrown · 09-23-2008, 09:16 PM

How do they know what grade each joint is at?

ashleybug · 09-24-2008, 04:38 AM

I don't know how they tell. Must learn it in ortho school. I think I remember them saying it depends on how easily it goes back into place and how easily they can pop it out. They being the surgeon.

LaurenHurst · 09-25-2008, 05:55 PM

Padre has luxating patellas at a stage 3 but our vet has told us to just watch him to see if he acts like he's in pain. He also recommended uphill walks to strengthen the tendons around the knee joint, keep him at a normal weight level, and make sure he gets regular walks and exercise. So far, he's doing terrific. We go on daily walks (several), go hiking, play in the park, chase birds, etc.... Personally, I would wait for surgery until your pup shows signs of pain, discomfort and reduced interest in playing. Good luck to you!

09-22-2008, 07:28 AM	#1
Crazy4Carlee Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: IOWA Posts: 345	Has Anyone Opted Not To Have Knee Surgery? My know-it-all husband seems to think Coopers knee surgery was unnecessary and refers to it as "cosmetic" surgery. I'm wondering if for reasons of your own, you were told your dog needed surgery and you didn't have it done. How did your dog do and do you regret not doing it after all? __________________ We Will Alway's Love You - You are our angel - Carlee 5/7/05 - 5/7/07 Cooper Is My Shining Star!

09-22-2008, 07:52 AM	#2
izzierj YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 710	My Izzie is scheduled to have knee surgery tomorrow...I wouldn't neglect it...I notice her laying down more and if my Cole jumps at her , she sweaks, so I know she needs it done...She is in stage 3...You could sometimes see her little leg twist a bit when she walks...It's a long recovery (6-8 weeks) of having her basically rest, good luck to me ! __________________ Michelle ~ and the girls ~ Harlee and Izzie ~ and our boy ~ Cole

09-22-2008, 12:05 PM	#3
smartpuppiepets YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Beverly Posts: 1,042	do not know anything about that , only what i read online, but people here seem to know about everything so i am posting to get more visible. Curious on the answers too . Good luck with your puppy, hopefully he will be well and not need any surgery at all... did you think about getting a second opinion from a diferent vet? It may prove your husband right or may convince him of the need of the surgery ... __________________ "The reason a dog has many friends is because it wags it's tail instead of it's tong " [I]Smartpuppiepets@yahoo.com /I][

09-22-2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	My Cali has grade 4 LP but has not shown any problems with it so far. She is 3. My vet said to just keep a close eye on her and then we will determine if she should ahve surgery. I know most people would opt for surgery, but Cali has had so many helath issues that we are taking a wait see approach. Should she show any symptoms I would of course have surgery. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

09-23-2008, 08:27 PM	#10
ashleybug Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11	LP My Sophia had a grade 3 lp. Our ortho vet had watched it progress from being a grade 1 as a pup to a grade 3 at 2 yrs. He said we would only do surgery when she showed that she was bothered by it. When she started sitting down and refusing to go any further during the middle of her walks, we knew it was time. Wait until your baby tells you it really bothers her and then do it since it is such as long recovery. If you don't do it, it will only get worse over time. You don't want her having a grade 5 when she's 9 yrs old and then it's more risky for anesthesia!

09-22-2008, 12:14 PM	#5
Timmy Mimi & Gabby too! Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 3,208	My Mimi is a grade 3 on both back knees but the ortho vet recommended that we do not do surgery at this time because its not bothering her. She walks, runs & play normal. He said that once I notice her limp or favor a leg then its surgery time but in the meantime he wouldn't recommend it. My regular vet said the same thing.

09-23-2008, 09:16 PM	#11
labrown T&T-DYNOMITE! Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,111	How do they know what grade each joint is at? __________________ TBone Tina & Lauren

09-24-2008, 04:38 AM	#12
ashleybug Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11	I don't know how they tell. Must learn it in ortho school. I think I remember them saying it depends on how easily it goes back into place and how easily they can pop it out. They being the surgeon.

09-25-2008, 05:55 PM	#13
LaurenHurst Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 24	Padre has luxating patellas at a stage 3 but our vet has told us to just watch him to see if he acts like he's in pain. He also recommended uphill walks to strengthen the tendons around the knee joint, keep him at a normal weight level, and make sure he gets regular walks and exercise. So far, he's doing terrific. We go on daily walks (several), go hiking, play in the park, chase birds, etc.... Personally, I would wait for surgery until your pup shows signs of pain, discomfort and reduced interest in playing. Good luck to you!