Post by rosiesmum on Sept 11, 2011 17:51:48 GMT
To be honest I don’t see posted anything that most of us, who have previously discussed this do not know, though I’m sure the information will be useful to some members
Yes, I still think patella luxation is a "terrible thing for a dog to endure"... As I have said when it ends up needing surgical correction. Which many do (by no means all) sooner or later if they have advanced grades. It’s also pretty sad when dogs end up with bad arthritis because owners neglect to arrange surgery. Indeed surgery can contribute to arthritis in later life, but this should not be made an excuse for neglecting surgery if it is considered by vet to be in dogs interest. (J had PL repair 8 years or so ago and has been 100% since, he is 9 )
I think few people here who have opted for PL surgery, could be considered “surgery happy” I think we have all done the very best for our dogs, acted on sound veterinary advice and can be considered good and responsible owners.
I am sure most people do realise that with the lower grades, dogs can routinely run around without issue and that these grades do not require surgical intervention. A dog with a grade three may or may not have difficulty moving, but it’s very likely that surgery will be required at some time and that as time progresses the wear and tear on joint will lead to arthritis. It’s up to an observant and caring owner to to monitor situation.
My late Rosie had a grade 1 PL in both knees. As she aged, she had a couple of periods of limping and needed a course of pain killers. She didn’t make it to 10 years as she had MVD, so we will never know if it would have caused issue as she went into her teens.
Indeed testing should be and carried out by veterinary surgeons who can give an accurate assessment of knee. As initial post show, judges are not nec able to identify these dogs …. Unless as we have heard previously dogs are hopping around the ring!
The sooner Breed Clubs support their members in even voluntary testing, the better for all Chihuahuas … in my thoughts.
Re video, A young dog with PL in both her hind legs might be getting around okayish now, but I personally doubt she’ll escape surgery at some point bless her. Hope I’m wrong, I’m not a vet, just speaking from experience of other dogs and owners
Time will tell I guess.
I do realise it must be difficult for any owner to be faced with the prospect of looming PL when you have no insurance and don’t have the funds to pay. The prevalence of this condition certainly demonstrates the importance of getting Chi insured asap and the importance of considering if you (generalising) can really afford the vet costs of Chihuahua/another Chiahuahua.
Something we all should ponder.
It’s one thing buying a pup, but we all need to be sure that if surgery is needed, financial constraints do not have to influence our decision when it comes to correcting deformity.
A grade 2 or 3 patella may be causing little discomfort one day and the dog can be on three legs the next … we more or less saw it in Jago.
Just my thoughts
Yes, I still think patella luxation is a "terrible thing for a dog to endure"... As I have said when it ends up needing surgical correction. Which many do (by no means all) sooner or later if they have advanced grades. It’s also pretty sad when dogs end up with bad arthritis because owners neglect to arrange surgery. Indeed surgery can contribute to arthritis in later life, but this should not be made an excuse for neglecting surgery if it is considered by vet to be in dogs interest. (J had PL repair 8 years or so ago and has been 100% since, he is 9 )
I think few people here who have opted for PL surgery, could be considered “surgery happy” I think we have all done the very best for our dogs, acted on sound veterinary advice and can be considered good and responsible owners.
I am sure most people do realise that with the lower grades, dogs can routinely run around without issue and that these grades do not require surgical intervention. A dog with a grade three may or may not have difficulty moving, but it’s very likely that surgery will be required at some time and that as time progresses the wear and tear on joint will lead to arthritis. It’s up to an observant and caring owner to to monitor situation.
My late Rosie had a grade 1 PL in both knees. As she aged, she had a couple of periods of limping and needed a course of pain killers. She didn’t make it to 10 years as she had MVD, so we will never know if it would have caused issue as she went into her teens.
Indeed testing should be and carried out by veterinary surgeons who can give an accurate assessment of knee. As initial post show, judges are not nec able to identify these dogs …. Unless as we have heard previously dogs are hopping around the ring!
The sooner Breed Clubs support their members in even voluntary testing, the better for all Chihuahuas … in my thoughts.
Re video, A young dog with PL in both her hind legs might be getting around okayish now, but I personally doubt she’ll escape surgery at some point bless her. Hope I’m wrong, I’m not a vet, just speaking from experience of other dogs and owners
Time will tell I guess.
I do realise it must be difficult for any owner to be faced with the prospect of looming PL when you have no insurance and don’t have the funds to pay. The prevalence of this condition certainly demonstrates the importance of getting Chi insured asap and the importance of considering if you (generalising) can really afford the vet costs of Chihuahua/another Chiahuahua.
Something we all should ponder.
It’s one thing buying a pup, but we all need to be sure that if surgery is needed, financial constraints do not have to influence our decision when it comes to correcting deformity.
A grade 2 or 3 patella may be causing little discomfort one day and the dog can be on three legs the next … we more or less saw it in Jago.
Just my thoughts