Bilateral Luxating Patella Surgery

L

Little Girl

Forums Regular
Hello Fur Moms!

Aria has been diagnosed with bilateral luxating patellas. She is limping quite a bit on both back legs. It is not constant as she can still run like lightening but then stops to limp. Tonight it was both back legs. She does not yelp, but pants sometimes when it happens. Our vet has directed us to see an orthopedic doctor to do surgery. Has anyone else had to have this surgery performed on their fur baby? I am looking to know how it went for your pet and if I should get a second opinion. I have the xrays. There is no other damage showing on the xrays, thankfully. Her hips look good which is what I thought this might be.

Thank you for all your insight!

Aria's Mommy
 
Gypsy had one done but hers was very bad. She would run a couple steps and her knee cap would pop out. Than she would just hold her leg up and I would basically massage it back in. This only went on a couple weeks. My vet wanted to wait a bit to do surgery (until she matured a little more) but we had to do it right on her first birthday. She could barely walk without it popping out. I felt awful for her she would look at me so pathetically when it popped out,like Mommy it's happening again please come help me.

Recovery went fairly well. I don't work so being home every day was an asset. Especially in keeping her quiet. We just hung out on the couch together most of the day until she was healed enough to move about some. We started with slow walks and gradually increased her exercise. I was also given stretching excercises to do with her from my vet and also massaged her.

I wish I remembered more detailed info but that was 3yrs. ago and being part of the over 50 club the momory is dwindling. :lol: :confused2:

I do have one question though. Would they do both at the same time. I imagine that would be a difficult recovery. Sending healing prayers your way. Please let us know what the surgeon says.
 
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Our rescue has done a couple over the years. Our vet is not an orthopedic vet, but she may as well be with how good she is. I don't remember it being a horrible surgery or recovery. I also know of an OTCh dog (from a well known "performance" breeder) who had both of his fixed at one time. They planned to only do one at a time, until they got in and figured out he is a vWD affected dog (whoops!). I don't think he had any complications from it.
 
Little Girl said:
Hello Fur Moms!

Aria has been diagnosed with bilateral luxating patellas. She is limping quite a bit on both back legs. It is not constant as she can still run like lightening but then stops to limp. Tonight it was both back legs. She does not yelp, but pants sometimes when it happens. Our vet has directed us to see an orthopedic doctor to do surgery. Has anyone else had to have this surgery performed on their fur baby? I am looking to know how it went for your pet and if I should get a second opinion. I have the xrays. There is no other damage showing on the xrays, thankfully. Her hips look good which is what I thought this might be.

Thank you for all your insight!

Aria's Mommy
Click to expand...

Not sure where you are going for the surgery or a second opinion, but we have a great orthopedic surgeon near us. She is associated with Crown Veterinary. It is by vet referrals only. She is located in Lebanon, NJ.

Good luck!
Danielle
 
I've never had a pupper go through that, but did have one go through a bi-lateral femoral head ostectomy. My only regret was that we did both sides at once. Recovery was awfully hard for him. Being I don't know anything about this procedure you're talking of...I won't say not to do both at the same time...BUT..I would recommend asking if one at a time is possible. With our boy having the double FHO...he wasn't able to support himself for quite awhile.

It would seem that any double procedure on the legs or knees would be harder on the pup compared to one side at a time.

Someone with more knowledge on the differences in these procedures will be very helpful in knowing if you should do them together or not.

I'm sorry you have to go through this, but the success rate is wonderful!
 
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