Post by ksbatf on Feb 10, 2015 5:03:23 GMT
For the past few months
after our walks when I'm drying my dog's paws, as I lift her back legs (separately) I feel both knees slightly clicking (I can't hear it, I can only feel it).
I thought it was this cold weather here in Scotland, or that she will be five this July.
She had her yearly check-up yesterday so thought I would ask as I feared it may be the awful, common in small dogs, luxating patella. When the Vet felt it, she told me it is luxating patella, that owners that recognize the symptoms as early as I have usually want their dogs to have the surgery right away to fix it, but yet because it is so early we don't have to deal with it right now. She said if I decide not to, it could get worse in time and will start walking around trying to hold her legs up, that it may lead to arthritis. She sent us away saying she would get in touch with the man who performs the procedure/s and contact me when she did. Later that same day, she phoned to let me know that he said the exact things as she did .. and that he advises she goes through with the operation, but the choice is completely up to me and he wants me to read up on it and ask questions to the right people as much as possible to make the right decision.
My Mum pointed out that it's such a big thing for a little Chihuahua to go through with the anesthetic and whatever else they do and wonders if she'll be okay.
Typing this now, taking in all the info again, is making me feel stupid to ask because everything within me is telling me to do it .. but there's a little niggle in my mind - my Vets have made all the decisions for my other dogs and procedures they have had to endure, so why is THIS my choice if the operation is NEEDED? I don't understand that bit.
The Vet said she is perfect aside from this and to keep doing whatever I'm doing with her.
My Chihuahua is purebred, female, she was spayed at six months old, currently 4.5 years old, ten inches tall and weighs a little over 2.5 kilos (5.5 lbs) .. if that's even relevant. She is also up to date with booster vaccinations, worm&flea treatments, grooming/nails clipped ... she is insured.
With the best of your knowledge, ANY help/advice would be gratefully appreciated.
after our walks when I'm drying my dog's paws, as I lift her back legs (separately) I feel both knees slightly clicking (I can't hear it, I can only feel it).
I thought it was this cold weather here in Scotland, or that she will be five this July.
She had her yearly check-up yesterday so thought I would ask as I feared it may be the awful, common in small dogs, luxating patella. When the Vet felt it, she told me it is luxating patella, that owners that recognize the symptoms as early as I have usually want their dogs to have the surgery right away to fix it, but yet because it is so early we don't have to deal with it right now. She said if I decide not to, it could get worse in time and will start walking around trying to hold her legs up, that it may lead to arthritis. She sent us away saying she would get in touch with the man who performs the procedure/s and contact me when she did. Later that same day, she phoned to let me know that he said the exact things as she did .. and that he advises she goes through with the operation, but the choice is completely up to me and he wants me to read up on it and ask questions to the right people as much as possible to make the right decision.
My Mum pointed out that it's such a big thing for a little Chihuahua to go through with the anesthetic and whatever else they do and wonders if she'll be okay.
Typing this now, taking in all the info again, is making me feel stupid to ask because everything within me is telling me to do it .. but there's a little niggle in my mind - my Vets have made all the decisions for my other dogs and procedures they have had to endure, so why is THIS my choice if the operation is NEEDED? I don't understand that bit.
The Vet said she is perfect aside from this and to keep doing whatever I'm doing with her.
My Chihuahua is purebred, female, she was spayed at six months old, currently 4.5 years old, ten inches tall and weighs a little over 2.5 kilos (5.5 lbs) .. if that's even relevant. She is also up to date with booster vaccinations, worm&flea treatments, grooming/nails clipped ... she is insured.
With the best of your knowledge, ANY help/advice would be gratefully appreciated.