Izzie has LP..

[Codi]

K, I took a few videos today of Izzie running, walking, and playing now that she is able to after her spay. I combined them all just to make sure I got a good look at the way she uses it. It's her right leg. I honestly can't notice her using it any different..? But maybe I just can't see it as well as others. It's a crappy view, it's so hard to get a good video of her using it! Hopefully this is good enough...



Does anyone notice her favoring her right leg? Does anyone think she is in any pain at all?

[Sarah]

Disgusting!!! Codi tell them you want them to pay for her surgery!!! And theycan still get the mismate jab! They disgust me!!!!!

Her legs are very bowed I am pretty sure it'll be more than just LP surgery I think the tibia needs doing like too had! Her
Movement isn't smooth like it should be although she didn't hop at that point it looked wrong to me! Just be warned they can deteriorate fast!!

[Kristi]

She did have really early onset which is worrisome...generally if there is onset of a grade 1 after the age of 1 it is something they can live with for the duration of their life, a grade 2 is generally something that they can live with if its diagnosed after the age of 2. The reason being that the grade 1 at age 1 or so will generally progress to a 2 over the dog's life but he/she has enough bone and correct knee anatomy that the patella problems will only be intermittent. Generally dogs slow down around age 2 so everything is set and the dog mellows and a 2 usually won't bother them. IMO if you feed the right diet that dog's knee will almost never luxate,...but Izzie's is at least a grade 3 at possibly birth so who knows, hopefully she's an exception to the rule...

[Paula]

I think you need to take a wait and see approach. If it's only intermittent, I would personally leave them be. I think most dogs can live perfectly happy healthy lives with low level LP. I would try not to worry about it and just see how it goes.

[brodysmom]

I would personally NOT rush into surgery. She is using that leg just fine. She doesn't look to be in any pain at all to me. I wouldn't put her through it unless necessary or if it would deteriorate. Start the supplements Kristi recommends (salmon oil, ester C, glucosamine) and keep her thin and trim. Then cross your fingers.

[Paula]

I think she is using her legs fine too. I get a lot of pm's from people freaking out about their dog having LP, but LP doesn't necessarily equal automatic surgery. It really depends on how well the dog is using their legs, if they are in pain. etc. I had the surgery on Roo because she was to the point where she was no longer using her right leg outside. Many low level LP cases can be handled fine with supplements (like the ones Tracy recommended above) good diet, and keeping them thin. Good luck, hun.

[Codi]

Yeah, they both have been getting Salmon oil, glucosamine, MSM, and ester c for a couple months now... Even before we knew about her LP. And shes a grade 3, so it's not low grade.. But I know she could do just fine even with that grade..

And I guess her grandma was born with LP just like Izzie, and the vet told them she wasn't bothered by it, but they can have surgery if they wanted. Grandma is now 6 is supposedly doing just fine, she just lifts her leg up once in awhile when running. I don't trust too much of what they say. Their mom's owner sent me an email saying I would be causing more pain if I had her have surgery, and that she'll be just fine without it. Which may be the case.. But it may not be. I guess grandma has had 3 litters and is still not spayed..

[Paula]

It's like I was told by my ortho, some dogs can have low grade LP and their leg really bothers them, others can have a higher grade and use their leg fine. It really just depends and many things can have a really positive effect. That's awful that they continue to breed their dogs with LP. So irresponsible, it makes me so angry.