Sammy needs surgery for LP - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AMMARI · 07-30-2008, 08:09 AM

Yep; Sammy needs surgery. He said it would be better to do both legs at once. and total will be between $2700 and $3000. My husband still wants me to find a better "deal" but from what Ihave researched already, it doesn't get any better than that. And they never give you a price oer the phone. And yes; I am ONLY looking for Board Certified Surgeons with specialty in luxating Patella and who have many years experience. I will keep you all updatesd Thank you all again for all your support last week.
Mari

luvmyYorkieJack · 07-30-2008, 08:12 AM

I hope the very best during your dog's surgery and recovery!

AMMARI · 07-30-2008, 12:24 PM

I am very confused right now about this whole thing and I don't want to keep talking about the same thing, but I really don't know what to do. It has nothing to do with the price becuase that is already worked out with Care credit (thanks!) I have just been hearing different things here. Some people say better to do it sooner than later, and others say their dogs have LP and are doing fine without surgery. I would really like to stay away from surgery if at all possible. I jsut called the doctor and he said it was a grade 2+ which on here doesn't seem to be a need for surgery from what I have been reading it seems that surgery is receommended for dogs with a higher level of LP. Ithough level 2 was more like you have to keep an eye on it.
I't doesn't even look like he's limping anymore! unless he and I have both just gotten used to it. I have been ewalking him 2 miles every day andhe has gone from a 12.8 to 12.3 lbs. I would really like to try other things before surgery but it seems that doctors jsutthink surgery is better. I know you guys can't tell me what to do and I know a miracle isn't going to come along and magically fix his bones. Someone mentioned swimming. Anything else I should/can try??THanks

kalina82 · 07-30-2008, 01:18 PM

lots of people here have dogs with LPs that are grade 2 or 3 and don't do surgery. However these dogs do not show signs. My own yorkie has grade 3 in both, but you wouldn't know it by watching her walk or run. The only way i know if because i know what i'm looking for.

luvmyYorkieJack · 07-30-2008, 09:01 PM

Hey. I hope this can help you. I'm not all that sure what LP is exactly but trust me when I am done with this post I am looking it up. I see that your Yorkie is just over a year and he would be better to recover from a surgery than if he was older. But if many are living just fine you can try leaving it the way it is. If it gets worse, then surgery is always an option. No use in putting him through a surgery. I hope this helps but I can't imagine having to make that call. Good luck with Sammy.

luvmyYorkieJack · 07-31-2008, 02:02 PM

So we had to take Jack in today. We found out that he had an infection but that will be taken care of. While I was there I noticed the vet was rubbing his knees so I asked her what she thought of them. She told me that he has level 4 LP in his left leg and about a 2 or 3 in his right. I asked if I needed to do anything and she said they do not want to perform surgery unless he is beginning to get arthritis or it is bothering him ALOT (and I mean she stressed a lot). I was really shocked when I heard this but she said it is highly common in small breeds. I am going to follow her advice and not do anything until I absolutly have to because it isn't bothering him now and I have never noticed any signs.

Oh and I asked about swimming because we plan to take Jack. She said it was a great exercise and easy on the joints. I bought a life jacket at sitstay.com and including shipping it was pretty decent and cheaper than places like Pet Co and Petsmart and it fits soooooo much better around the neck.

Ladymom · 07-31-2008, 03:12 PM

Please get a second opinion from a board certified orthopedic surgeon. If he also agrees that Sammy needs to get it done, please just go ahead and do it.

There is a danger in waiting as the joint will continue to degenerate and arthritis will set in. Postponing it will only make the surgery more complicated, more expensive and possibly less successful.

We had a member on another forum who was told when her Maltese was a year old that she would need LP surgery. She was paying college tuition and thought she could wait until her daughter was out of college. Four years later she found out the joint has deteriorated so badly that the dog had to go to the vet school and the surgery was twice as much as it would have been if she'd done it right away.

AMMARI · 07-31-2008, 05:28 PM

After long deliberation, we have decided that we will watch Sammy for the next couple of months. In two or three months, if we notice a change in his behavior or he seems to be uncomfortable, then we will do the surgery. At this point he is a grade 2+ so it is not at the point where not having the surgery will be absolutely detrimental to him. Although LP is a disorder that can and sometimes does get progressively get worse, we are going to continue with his excercise, swimming, and losing weight, as well as his medication. I know not all of you will agree with me right now and that's ok, but I have to do what I feel is right at this very moment, athough I'm sure there will never be a right time to make a difficult decision. Thank you all for your advice and opinions. They are always greatly appreciated.

mari

omichka · 07-31-2008, 08:48 PM

I only started to do search re this subject because my vet also recommend same surgery on both back legs in next 6 months.
He told me that Jessica's (over 4yo) knee condition became much worst for last 6 months since out last visit.
I did research about symptoms of LP, and... Jessica doesn't have those. She has other strange symptoms

. Her body (back)seems like paralyze for a few seconds. First time it happened a couple years ago, but it was too fast and only once. But it happens many times this year. She feels it...I can see how she reacts. I did XR to make sure that she doesn't have some neurological problems.

Vet said that it can be symptoms of LP...

So...
My questions are:

1. Who can recommend me board certified orthopedic surgeon in Seattle area to take a second opinion.

2. Anything we can do (exercise, vitamins, etc) to avoid surgery?

3. Who did same surgery in Dr Dill clinic (Milton)? if so, any reviews?

Thank you

07-30-2008, 08:09 AM	#1
AMMARI Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 181	Sammy needs surgery for LP Yep; Sammy needs surgery. He said it would be better to do both legs at once. and total will be between $2700 and $3000. My husband still wants me to find a better "deal" but from what Ihave researched already, it doesn't get any better than that. And they never give you a price oer the phone. And yes; I am ONLY looking for Board Certified Surgeons with specialty in luxating Patella and who have many years experience. I will keep you all updatesd Thank you all again for all your support last week. Mari

07-30-2008, 08:12 AM	#2
luvmyYorkieJack Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mankato, MN, US Posts: 180	I hope the very best during your dog's surgery and recovery! __________________ Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain. Jack & Madden

07-30-2008, 01:18 PM	#4
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	lots of people here have dogs with LPs that are grade 2 or 3 and don't do surgery. However these dogs do not show signs. My own yorkie has grade 3 in both, but you wouldn't know it by watching her walk or run. The only way i know if because i know what i'm looking for. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

07-30-2008, 09:01 PM	#5
luvmyYorkieJack Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mankato, MN, US Posts: 180	Hey. I hope this can help you. I'm not all that sure what LP is exactly but trust me when I am done with this post I am looking it up. I see that your Yorkie is just over a year and he would be better to recover from a surgery than if he was older. But if many are living just fine you can try leaving it the way it is. If it gets worse, then surgery is always an option. No use in putting him through a surgery. I hope this helps but I can't imagine having to make that call. Good luck with Sammy. __________________ Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain. Jack & Madden

07-31-2008, 02:02 PM	#6
luvmyYorkieJack Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mankato, MN, US Posts: 180	So we had to take Jack in today. We found out that he had an infection but that will be taken care of. While I was there I noticed the vet was rubbing his knees so I asked her what she thought of them. She told me that he has level 4 LP in his left leg and about a 2 or 3 in his right. I asked if I needed to do anything and she said they do not want to perform surgery unless he is beginning to get arthritis or it is bothering him ALOT (and I mean she stressed a lot). I was really shocked when I heard this but she said it is highly common in small breeds. I am going to follow her advice and not do anything until I absolutly have to because it isn't bothering him now and I have never noticed any signs. Oh and I asked about swimming because we plan to take Jack. She said it was a great exercise and easy on the joints. I bought a life jacket at sitstay.com and including shipping it was pretty decent and cheaper than places like Pet Co and Petsmart and it fits soooooo much better around the neck. __________________ Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain. Jack & Madden Last edited by luvmyYorkieJack; 07-31-2008 at 02:04 PM.

07-30-2008, 12:24 PM	#3
AMMARI Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 181	I am very confused right now about this whole thing and I don't want to keep talking about the same thing, but I really don't know what to do. It has nothing to do with the price becuase that is already worked out with Care credit (thanks!) I have just been hearing different things here. Some people say better to do it sooner than later, and others say their dogs have LP and are doing fine without surgery. I would really like to stay away from surgery if at all possible. I jsut called the doctor and he said it was a grade 2+ which on here doesn't seem to be a need for surgery from what I have been reading it seems that surgery is receommended for dogs with a higher level of LP. Ithough level 2 was more like you have to keep an eye on it. I't doesn't even look like he's limping anymore! unless he and I have both just gotten used to it. I have been ewalking him 2 miles every day andhe has gone from a 12.8 to 12.3 lbs. I would really like to try other things before surgery but it seems that doctors jsutthink surgery is better. I know you guys can't tell me what to do and I know a miracle isn't going to come along and magically fix his bones. Someone mentioned swimming. Anything else I should/can try??THanks

07-31-2008, 03:12 PM	#7
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Please get a second opinion from a board certified orthopedic surgeon. If he also agrees that Sammy needs to get it done, please just go ahead and do it. There is a danger in waiting as the joint will continue to degenerate and arthritis will set in. Postponing it will only make the surgery more complicated, more expensive and possibly less successful. We had a member on another forum who was told when her Maltese was a year old that she would need LP surgery. She was paying college tuition and thought she could wait until her daughter was out of college. Four years later she found out the joint has deteriorated so badly that the dog had to go to the vet school and the surgery was twice as much as it would have been if she'd done it right away. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

07-31-2008, 05:28 PM	#8
AMMARI Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 181	After long deliberation, we have decided that we will watch Sammy for the next couple of months. In two or three months, if we notice a change in his behavior or he seems to be uncomfortable, then we will do the surgery. At this point he is a grade 2+ so it is not at the point where not having the surgery will be absolutely detrimental to him. Although LP is a disorder that can and sometimes does get progressively get worse, we are going to continue with his excercise, swimming, and losing weight, as well as his medication. I know not all of you will agree with me right now and that's ok, but I have to do what I feel is right at this very moment, athough I'm sure there will never be a right time to make a difficult decision. Thank you all for your advice and opinions. They are always greatly appreciated. mari

07-31-2008, 08:48 PM	#9
omichka YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: *** Posts: 647	I only started to do search re this subject because my vet also recommend same surgery on both back legs in next 6 months. He told me that Jessica's (over 4yo) knee condition became much worst for last 6 months since out last visit. I did research about symptoms of LP, and... Jessica doesn't have those. She has other strange symptoms. Her body (back)seems like paralyze for a few seconds. First time it happened a couple years ago, but it was too fast and only once. But it happens many times this year. She feels it...I can see how she reacts. I did XR to make sure that she doesn't have some neurological problems. Vet said that it can be symptoms of LP... So... My questions are: 1. Who can recommend me board certified orthopedic surgeon in Seattle area to take a second opinion. 2. Anything we can do (exercise, vitamins, etc) to avoid surgery? 3. Who did same surgery in Dr Dill clinic (Milton)? if so, any reviews? Thank you