How to decide on Lux Pat. Surgery for Senior

[APugInTheSun]

Hi all,

My sweet Peanut is almost 10 yrs old and on the whole in very good health. We've been told for years that she has a luxating patella with a low number and to keep an eye on it. Today the vet gave her a 3 our of 4 and talked about surgery. He wasn't pushing it as a hard sell, but seemed like strongly recommending due to arthritis he can feel. She does not demonstate any hesitation in moving or express any visible/audible pain whatsoever. If she did, this would be an easy decision. I am just worried for her in the years to come if we do nothing, are we doing more damage. She just seems like the puggy we've always known and loved. I don't want to cause undue stress and pain nor do I want to ignore a big red flag. Seems like everything I have been reading about the surgery states that it is valid and necessary in these cases.

Has anyone else had to make a similar decision and how did you come to your conclusion? Are you happy with your choices? She and my husband are my only family. If I could have the surgery for her, I would. I just love her so much, I'm sure you all understand.

Thank you in advance,
Joy

[CountryPug]

Roxy my bt had it done when she was young and I have not regretted it. She was lame on that leg, so I knew we had to do it. Not so sure in your case, because of her age and if she's not showing any lameness, i'd be hesitant to do it. Curious to know what others think and hoping they will chime in.

[Rugbysmom]

Our little Rugby was diagnosed with luxating patellas in both knees when she was 2 yrs old, & she is 9 now....I may be in the same boat you are! My vet never assigned a # on the severity (not that I know of, anyway). She said she doesn't do the surgery for it, but could recommend someone if I wanted to go that route. She said she doesn't always recommend the surgery, as it doesn't always work. She said some dogs never end up needing the surgery, so we decided to wait & see how Rugby did. So far she seems fine, I don't notice any limping, but she has always seemed slightly bow-legged in the back. I hope she is going to keep doing o.k--like you, I hate to think about her having to undergo surgery. Please keep us posted what you decide, and how your Peanut does, whichever way you decide to go. Like I said, I may be in the same boat you are....

[Tinker's mom]

Hello &to the village! Tinker had one knee done when she was about 1 1/2 yrs then the other knee done when she was 3 1/2. She is now 5 1/2. Both times she would stop running, and have a limp with any extended play, and she was constantly on the arm or back of the couch with her back legs hanging down. We were told that she would get arthritis later in life because the knee cap would ride on one side or the other of the groove it was supposed to be in. I could feel it out of place. Both surgeries were successful and she runs and jumps with no problem. She does get an injection of Adequan every month. Without any symptoms, I don't think I would have had the surgery done but she did have symptoms and I have no regrets about the surgeries.What about a supplement to help with the arthritis before surgery to see if it helps?Good luck and hope you get more opinions here.

[Suri]

I am in the same place with my Bo, he ran across a treadmill and it hurt his knee, the vet recommended surgery, but my vet recommends surgery for every little thing. He only shows symptons when he runs, holding the leg up, never shows any pain, he runs alot and he is my active pug. I have the wait and see attitude. He will be 7 in Sept. Luckily he is my pug that doesn't put on any weight, and I make sure of that. he is a small 15lb pug. I do give him cosquin ds.
I can't keep him quiet, even in a crate he is wild so i worried about the recovery time too.

[shaynapug]

Do you trust your vet?

It doesn't hurt, even if you do, to get a second opinion.

Does your vet do this surgery often? Does he/she do it on elderly dogs...and specifically on older pugs which might need special care due to breathing issues.

Is the other leg bad? Can it withstand the extra strain having only one rear leg to stand on???

If you feel that it will improve the quality of her life...and that she can tolerate this surgery and the recovery well...it's definitely an option!

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

First I would get a second opinion.

Because she is not showing symptoms I would probably not do it. I would be especially vigilant to keep her weight low, on the thin side of ideal, not allow her to jump up or down, give her a quality glucosamine supplement and premium food and let her be. As she gets older you will want to be watchful for signs of pain and be proactive with pain relievers, but at ten I would be very hesitant to put a dog who is not lame or in visible pain through such a traumatic and expensive surgery.

Take care,
Lisa

[tall grass pugs]

Ms. Sugar, here. I am old enough for the Red Leash Society, and was pronounced two years ago as having the worst luxating patellas the vet had ever seen. I was secretly pleased as excelling in something is so satisfying. I demonstrated my speed by avoiding the a.c. kill officer, and have later demonstrated my powerful first gear off the blocks when the kibble can is opened. If I were young, or my luxating patellas kept me off my feet, surgery might be a solution step. But I would not prosper under anesthetic at my age, and I tighten my knee structure every morning tearing up the grass in the yard.

[APugInTheSun]

Thanks so much for these replies and food for thought. I just can't think of anything else we could do for her other than waiting longer and just seeing. I always want to do the best for her and it kills me to think I could make the wrong decision at her expense.

I am going to get a 2nd opinion and add Ester C to her meals as it seems like it couldn't hurt.

Peanut has been on Cosequin then Dasuquin for years now along with premium kibble mixed with my home-cooked meals (gluten free and organic when poss.) made just for her. (I'm the bad cop around her when it comes to limiting treats for the sake of weight mgt. - she should drop another pound or two.) We built a ramp for her to use for getting on and off the couch 2 yrs ago and we keep her from taking the stairs 90% of the time. I even bought a buggy for her last year to take on walks since we enjoy nature walks so much. (She always wants out as soon as we put her in but my gosh is she precious in that buggy...) The sight, sound, or smell of food sends her running and tripping over her own feet which is hard to control, she's just that spunky and spirited. I wish I could get her to calm down for her own sake! I can't imagine sending her off for surgery like that but I couldn't bare the thought of her in pain in a few years in a really fragile state.

People owned by pugs are the best! Thank you again! If I have any revelations or different input from the 2nd vet I will post.

[tall grass pugs]

Strips of rubber matting can help her traction on slick surfaces, watch her nails so she doesn't mistrust each paw step hurting her.