Molly was admitted to the vet

[Aly12]

Molly was at the vet this morning for her blood tests. She hasn’t been walking properly on her back legs so I spoke to the vet about it and she did some x-rays. She has cruciate ligament damage on the left side and the right side is inconclusive at the moment. They have given her Tramadol to take for the next 2 weeks and she is on strict rest. The vet has said that they would prefer to use conservative treatment rather than surgery but she may well refer her to a specialist. She said the conservative treatment is usually 12 weeks. I asked if she would possibly need an operation and she has said that they do not like to put small dogs through major surgery if they can help it. She said Molly also has the complication of the Addisons and doesn’t want to stress her too much. She said she is a complicated but wonderful little dog. I feel very upset at the moment but have to try to stay positive for the rest of the family.

[*Nat*]

Poor Molly, hope she’s ok  :-*

[xtine]

Poor Molly {{{ hugs}}}

Is very stressful when they are poorly / in pain  :'(

[Val]

Poor Molly
If she was mine I would ask to see a specialist as the Tramadol could affect an already stressed system if she is sick or starts having a running tum stop the pills straightway any pills that are given for this type of thing can affect a gut very quicky this is one area of meds where humans and dogs have the same type of meds they can affect use all in the same way the biggest thing they do in humans is give use ulcers.
Lots of smal dogs have to have this operation for a specialist it’s a quick in and out job done sort of op, as long as her meds for the Addisons are stable then I don’t see the problem, but if her meds are not that stable then I can see the concern.
I have the pekes tested for this as it’s common in small dogs, minpin had her dogs tested as they can have a predisposition as can Westies, poodles daxies to name a few it can be found in bigger breed but usually these are accidents.
Did your vet say whether it could or was graded or is it a trauma accident?
Val

[quote author=Aly12 link=topic=14675.msg271752#msg271752 date=1251729430]
Molly was at the vet this morning for her blood tests. She hasn’t been walking properly on her back legs so I spoke to the vet about it and she did some x-rays. She has cruciate ligament damage on the left side and the right side is inconclusive at the moment. They have given her Tramadol to take for the next 2 weeks and she is on strict rest. The vet has said that they would prefer to use conservative treatment rather than surgery but she may well refer her to a specialist. She said the conservative treatment is usually 12 weeks. I asked if she would possibly need an operation and she has said that they do not like to put small dogs through major surgery if they can help it. She said Molly also has the complication of the Addisons and doesn’t want to stress her too much. She said she is a complicated but wonderful little dog. I feel very upset at the moment but have to try to stay positive for the rest of the family.

[/quote]

[Val]

Whoops mean’t to add the grades
There are 4 grades of patellar luxation:

(1) Intermittent patellar luxation causing the limb to be carried occasionally.

(2) Frequent patellar luxation which, in some cases, becomes more or less permanent.

(3) The patella is permanently luxating with torsion of the tibia and deviation of the tibial crest of between 30 degrees and 50 degrees from the cranial/caudal plane.

(4) The tibia is medially twisted and the tibial crest may show further deviation medially with the result that it lies 50 degrees to 90 degrees from the cranial/caudal plane.

Grades (1) and (2) can often be controlled by keeping the dog lean, on a good diet (supplements may help as well), and not allowing excessive jumping.  A Grade 2 can tighten to a Grade 1 and often a Grade 1 can tighten until there is no patellar luxation at all.  They can also get worse.

Grades (3) and (4) nearly always need surgery to deepen the groove and/or realign or tighten the ligaments.

Any specialist can manipulate and check for patellar luxation.  X-rays are not necessary. 

[Aly12]

She has said if it was a trauma that caused it.  I will certainly keep an eye on Molly and if she is sick at all the first thing I will be doing is phoning the vet.  Thanks Val for all the advice.

[kerrie and stan]

poor girl, hope she is feeling better soon :-*

[.dodger.]

working for one of the specialists i know how successful this kind of surgery is. Just my Lucy had this op done 3 weeks ago and she’s doing brilliantly.

Hope Molly recovers soon what ever the treatment she may need to have :-*

[SuzAndTheDiva]

Hope Molly gets sorted very soon  :-*

Val just emailed you on this very subject!

[Author]

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