Hi Everyone,
I am posting this 'surgery & recovery' thread because my doggie just had surgery to repair the luxating patella in both of his back legs. I was VERY apprehensive about the surgery, and when I tried to find more information about the surgery or recovery....well, there was very little information out there. So really, I want to document and share all that we have and are going thru....incase someone else out there ever needs this information!
My furbaby 'Sheldon' is a 4.5 lb teacup poodle. His birthday is 7/4/04 he just turned 4 yo. He had Luxating Patella in both his back legs.
Luxating Patella is a common condition in dogs. Basically, it means that the knee cap dislocates and moves around in the leg. It happens when the ridges that are supposed to hold the knee cap in place are too shallow. Its very common in teacup and toy dogs because the dogs have been bred down so tiny. Sheldon was born with the condition. I was told at his very first well check appointment that he may someday need surgery. The vet also warned me to buy a health insurance policy for Sheldons care, advise I unfortunately did not listen to. At that first well check... I was under the impression that the surgery would be many, many years away.
What I wasn't told... was that there is glucosimine tablets for dogs that are predisposed to joint problems. Although these tablets are relatively expensive ($45 for a 60 day supply!) I would have gladly given Sheldon the tablets to prevent all the pain he has been through.
Sheldon is a 'jumper' he will jump 3 feet in the air to get into my arms. His whole goal in life since day one has been to be in mommies arms. He also loves to jump up to catch a ball in mid-air. All this jumping ~and believe me there is NO way to stop him from jumping!) caused his back legs to deteriorate pretty quickly.
There are 4 Grades that the vets use to describe how severe the luxating patella is.
Grade 1: This means that the knee cap can be manually moved. This is what my vet did at the first well check appointment. At that time, Sheldon (2mos old) was diagnosed as grade 1 in the right knee and none in the left knee.
Grdea 2: This is when the knee cap occasionally moves out of place, and has to be manually put back into place. Sheldon quickly learned on his own that he could stretch his leg out and behind him and relocate the knee cap all by himself.
Grade 3: The kneecap dislocates and remains out of place most of the time. And has to be manually put back into place. Sheldon started holding his leg right leg up most of the time. I would manuever the kneecap back into place and continue on our walk, within a few minutes his leg would go lame again.
Grade 4: Is when the kneecap dislocates and remains out permanently, The knee cap can no longer be manually relocated. Because the leg is constantly held up, the muscles start to shorten. arthritis sets in.
Last year at Sheldons well-check appointment his right leg was grade 2 and his left leg was grade 1
more to follow.... Here is a picture of Sheldon the night before his surgery (9/28/08)
