Leg Calf Perthee's and patella subluxation

[Kenneth62]

I would appreciate some helpful suggestions on a decision that I need to make. My Yorkie was 1 year old July 21. I noticed four weeks ago that he was periodically holding up his left back leg. He would still walk and and run using all four most of time but not all. I figured that he had sprained it and since he didn't seem to have any pain even when I pressed on all that leg I figured that I would just see if it got better. It did not so one week ago I took him to the vet.

On initial exam the first vet thought that he had a high degree patella subluxation but took a xray then said no he had Leg Calf Perthees of left hip and that on further exam he didn't think that the patella subluxation was as sever as he first thought. He suggested a trial of conservative treatment with anti inflammatory medication Metacam and strict crate confinement for 10 days.

He seemed to be holding the leg up less but the last couple of days I noticed that he was still holding it up some. I informed the Breeder who felt that he should have surgery as soon as possible and offered to pay.

I took him back today and saw another Vet at same clinic. He took another x-ray and said that he had subluxation of both Patella and it was impossible to say how much of the limp was due to the patella problem and how much was due to the hip problem. He doesn't feel there has been much change in the x-ray but plans to have a Orthopedic review the x-rays and give an opinion by tomorrow. (the surgery if he gets it will be by another Vet who my breeder has had good experience with.) He then recommends starting him on an antibiotic as he say there is some thought that some of these cases are due to infection in the joint.

My delema is should I continue confining my dog to a crate and putting off surgery or go ahead and get the surgery done by another vet who has had a lot of experience performing the procedure. Any pros or cons that might help me make a decision? Thanks

[Lovetodream88]

I don't know much about Leg Calf Perthee but I do know that no matter how great a vet is or how many times they have done a surgery if they are not an orthopedic specialist they should not be doing orthopedic surgery because many times they can mess up or not do the best thing. Make sure if you get the surgery you are using an orthopedic specialist.

[Patti]

Hopefully you will knw more after the ortho vet looks at the X-rays. My Pixie had to have LP surgery a few years ago. My vets referred me to an orthopedic specialist and her surgery went fine. The ortho vet should give you a more definitive answer on whether surgery needs to be done. I am happy to hear your breeder is being responsible. Please keep us posted.

[107barney]

I'm sorry to hear this. My dog had both conditions also. I would consult directly with a ortho surgeon for my dog. You don't new your vet to be a middleman if you have a specialty hospital nearby. You want a surgeon who is a diplomat of the ACVS. Not all perthes dogs need surgery. If your vet saw my dog's X-rays they'd think he needed surgery but the specialist says he doesn't.

[107barney]

Also the specialists can assess gait, lameness, atrophy, and interpret X-rays much more accurately than a general vet. So having the specialist SEE your dog is very important.

[ladyjane]

Oh, absolutely you need a specialist here!! There are many people who go to regular vets thinking they are saving a buck and their pups end up with major issues. I cannot tell you how many people I have met over the years in the waiting room of the specialist I use who had absolute horror stories to tell. They were there to pay a LOT of money to HOPEFULLY fix what a regular vet had messed up.

Do yourself and your pup a favor and find a board certified ortho surgeon to examine your pup....there is NO way a recommendation should be done without an exam!!!

You can find a specialist here if your vet does not know one:

www.acvs.org

[Cherie6446]

My Zoey had legge calf parthes disease and her reg vet would charge me $1400 to do the surgery. I went with an outstanding orthopedic surgeon and paid $2800. He kept her at his house for five days (his wife is his nurse) until she could come home. I didn't have to deal with the pain control and both Zoey and I got the rest we needed. I spoke everyday with the nurse for updates. Also, I received rehab directions and equipment. They worked with me for five mos of rehab. You should find out if the vet your breeder uses is a board certified specialist. Good luck with your decision.