[mooberry]

Okay everyone Bijoux has been diagnosed and true to form it is of course LP. But the vet he doesn't think it's genetic, he thinks Bijoux got hurt and that caused her LP? Is this possible? I thought she just got unlucky?

Anyways I contacted Bijoux's breeders informed them, and was offered a new puppy if I so wished. So after much thought I'm sad to say Bijoux is going to be returned to her breeder tomorrow and I am expecting a new puppy next litter...

Lol jokes But in all seriousness, she has grade 3 luxation in her leg and is on pain medication. I went out today picked up glucosamine and cod fish oil..but I think Tracey you said there was something else I could get her?

The vet wants to do surgery soon, I was under the impression I should be waiting until she is at least 18 months old if not 2 years? She is only 10 months old. I'm thinking I'm going to get a second opinion I think. I really don't want to put her through the surgery until I have tried everything I can to help her, it just seems so invasive and I admit I am already worried at the thought of it.

If you can't tell I'm feeling very over whelmed about all this. I feel so helpless my baby girl is hurt, and I can't fix her because I don't know the right thing to do, it's breaking my heart.

 

[Brodysmom]

oh gosh, my heart skipped a beat when I read you were returning her! OMG! Don't do that!!!! ha ha.

OK. I'm fine now. lol.

Yes, she could have gotten injured. One of Kristi's (flippedstars) dogs jumped over a barrier and fell wrong and landed on her knee. She required surgery. It was an accident/injury, not anything genetic.

Unfortunately many of us will deal with LP during the life of our dogs. Sad fact. You bought cod liver oil? That's ok, it's just really really high in vitamin A. So you don't want to overdose on it. Fish oil, just plain old fish oil, is what you want. Grizzly makes a nice brand for dogs or just get regular old fish oil capsules for people. The 1000mg ones that are in every pharmacy. Poke a hole in it and drain over her food every day. It has very good anti-inflammatory effects.

For other supplements, I like either cosequin or glycoflex III. If you can find a supplement with hyaluronic acid, that's great for joints. Baxyl makes a good liquid HA for people. You could use that. (I'd have to do some digging to find out dosage).

As for the surgery aspect.... I will let others who have dealt with it chime in there. Hang in there. We will all be here for you.

 

[jesuschick]

So sorry to hear. Poor little one!
I also have no experience in this area so have nothing to offer. I will be watching your post because I figure with 3 wild monkeys, I will have this in my future at some point.

SO glad you got her right in and are so eager to follow up on her care. She is in great hands with you!

 

[Jerry'sMom]

Been there. Done that http://www.chihuahua-people.com/chi...y-pictures-luxating-patella-knee-surgery.html

Definitely get that second opinion--and from an orthopedic specialist. And, if Bijoux is even
just a bit overweight, get her weight down as quickly as possible. Carrying extra weight
is really hard with LP.

I'll be keeping both you and Bijoux in my thoughts. Please keep us posted.

 

[~LS~]

Sorry about the bad news Kelsey. But I trust that you will take the best possible
care of your little girl, she is so lucky to have you. You should get some
Chondroitin as well. Or next time just buy the two in one (gluco + chondroitin).

Big hugs!

 

[svdreamer]

Man, you scared me, I really thought you were serious about giving her back! lol I am facing the same thing with my new rescue, Pepe'. He's got a grade 3, too. I was told that because he is 3 years old already, he can have the surgery. But his is genetic, yours is because of injury, right? That may be why they feel they need to do it right away.

 

[LostLakeLua]

You are very mean Kelsey. =P Scared the bajeezes outta me... phew...

I too would see if a good Gluc/Chondro combination makes any impact as it has been known to have pretty good results!

 

[lulu'smom]

AWWWW! Give Bijoux a big hug for me and Lulu. I sure hate this for her and you. She is very lucky you are taking such good care of her.

 

[elaina]

lol. i knew all along you were just joking and there was no way you were gonna trade Bijoux in for a puppy.
so sorry to hear she has grade 3 LP. i hope all the supplements will help her and i'd go for the second opinion

 

[cherper]

When Leila was younger she was jumping up at me and came down on her leg wrong and hurt her knee. She limped for what seemed like forever. But honestly i don't remember how long it lasted. The vet checked it and said her knee was slipping in and out. But I put her on a very stong dose of adult glucosamine/chondroitin and you know it went away and she hasn't had a problem since. And she is VERY active. Around that same time i did put her on a diet and she lost a little weight until she was a perfect weight which for her is around 5 lbs.

 

[mooberry]

Thanks everyone for the Support. She is on pain meds for now, I was shown her knee it's pretty bad it does go back in but, Even if you put it back in it comes right out.

I am going to give her every natural remedy for it I can while I save up for her potential surgery. I am a poor student so it will take me a while -which by the way had me in tears when I realized it will take me almost a year to save up the 3000$ needed. By then she will be 18 months old perfect age for the procedure and I will know by that time I had done everything I could to avoid it. Especially since it only has a 50% chance of success long term.

I'm going to keep her on low exercise for another week, I think with the vet mussing with it she's more sore than normal. Once the week is out I will begin her on an exercise regime to strengthen her muscles along with her vitamins. She does not have to lose any weight she is 9.8 lbs -big I know- but she has a very distinct tuck in her tummy, she could use some muscle tone so I will focus on that.

Any other advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Please keep her in your thoughts.

 

[~LS~]

Kelsey I'm poor too, so I can definitely relate to money issues.
If you accept, I will gladly help out a little, towards Bijoux's
surgery. You are a friend, so it will be a pleasure.

 

[MChis]

I'm not at all surprised. I would keep her penned for a couple weeks & see how she does. I know it's hard--Lulu is active as well. They make you feel guilty staring at you like you've put them in jail--but it truely helped Lulu. Can you easily feel her ribs? If not cut back her food. The keeping them thin part of it is SUPER important.

I would not have them do the surgery unless a HUGE emergency. And I'd get a second opinion, if you were going to get one, by a specialist.

I'm glad you were joking about taking her back. I only didn't find it funny because we did choose to take Lulu back. (and I'm not joking) She was bought as a show/breeding hopeful & our pet pack is beyond full. Saddest thing I've ever had to do--broke my heart in fact & I still cry about it. But I've seen since dropping her off last weekend & she's doing great & is having a blast playing with the puppies so that made me feel a bit better. I don't expect most people to understand my decision but I know it's what *I* needed to do with my goal still being the show & breed & continue to be able to spoil & love & care for all the Chi's I have in my care the best I can w/o getting overwhelmed financially & in general. I know & trust Lulu's breeder to do right by her no matter what...she is an amazing person.

Anyway, the way I look at LP is...it's genetic unless there was a MAJOR MAJOR accident. Even if they twisted it or bumped it the right way...if their conformation was correct it wouldn't have caused an injury. That's why breed standard is important--then they are built w/o the chance of getting injured easily. (I never really thought there was a point to the breed standard except people thinking they were important making one up hahaha But there really is a purpose for it all!) Depends on your vet but ours said it was genetic no doubt but a certain twist may have just made it start to luxate but it would have started at some point anyway. And LP CAN be unlateral (meaning only one knee) so that has nothing to do with it being accidental or not.

Anyhow, I'd hold out on the surgery until she's full grown at all possible. Keep her slim (too slim is better than a bit too overweight), keep her penned for 2-3 weeks & see how she does after that. Give her supplements & hopefully with all that it'll improve a bit. Than just monitor & know it's something that will likely be with her always, or at least pop back up in the future.

Give her kisses from me & my crew. She's a beautiful girl & I hope she doesn't need the surgery any time soon. **hugs**

 

[MChis]

Btw, they can have a tuck in their tummy/waist & still be over weight. Just depends on their build. A better way to tell is feeling the padding over their ribs. There should be a VERY thin layer of padding for a dog w/LP & should be able to feel every single rib easily. Any extra weight should be GONE--any extra weight puts additional stress on the legs. But I can't stress enough--the more you prevent her patella from coming in/out the better it can "heal"/rest and then improve. I'd really really pen her if I was you.

 

[EmberLuvu]

I'm so sorry. I've never dealt with dogs that have LP so I don't have any tips. Good luck.

 

[mooberry]

Kelsey I'm poor too, so I can definitely relate to money issues.
If you accept, I will gladly help out a little, towards Bijoux's
surgery. You are a friend, so it will be a pleasure.

You are so sweet LS it's so appreciated, but first I'm still going to do everything I can to avoid the knife. It would not be right especially since I don't know if it is going to happen yet.

Mchi's: I'm sorry your going through this. But I know you would have done the very best thing for lulu and thank you for your advice, I have penned her. I can't feel her ribs as easily as I would like compared to what you recommended so I am going to cut back her kibble slightly and only give green beans as treats. I want her to lose .8 lbs then I will re-evaluate her health.

again thank you everyone your support has made me feel so much better about this all. I also found out i'm getting 1000$ back in taxes so this puts me even closer to having the 3000$ by her 18 months.

 

[susan davis]

I wonder about swimming? A chihuahua could swim in a bath tub! It is incredible exercise for them, and tones up the leg muscles. I'm gonna ask my vet about having Zarita swim in the sink! She is 6 weeks post surgery on both knees!. Sue

 

[teetee]

I am so sorry Kelsey and Bijoux! Is it possible that surgery can correct it?

to ALL: what do you look for with luxation? I did a little bit of reading and it seems that holding the leg up during steps..anything else?

 

[lynx8456]

I am sorry to hear about Bijoux's LP problem. I do believe the supplements will help as well as making sure she maintains a healthy weight. As for a second opinion , I would certainly get one before any surgery is considered. Good luck ...hope it all works out well for Bijoux....such a cutie.

 

[~LS~]

You are so sweet LS it's so appreciated, but first I'm still going to do everything I can to avoid the knife. It would not be right especially since I don't know if it is going to happen yet...

If ever you decide to go ahead with it, my offer will still stand. Big hugs!