Hip and knee problems

[eric29]

My 9 month old lab has luxating patellas, which cause her to have a horrible hip problem. I knew about the knee problems monthes ago but we had to wait till she was 9 monthes to do anything about it, so we were sure that it wasnt just growing pains. 2 monthes ago she had xrays of her hips and knees. The hip were rated between fair and good. Then we had the same xrays done 2 days ago and her right hip has gone to bably failing, there is barely a socket for it anymore.

I talked to a knee specialist and she recommened taking her done to Iowa State to have a tpo on the hip and the knee surgery done at the same time. The specialist isnt trained to do the hips thats y she wanted me to go there.

I think that my pup is in pain bc the knee and not the hip but till she learns to talk nobody knows. I was kind of debating just having the specialist do the knee surgry for now-mainly bc of the lack of time. With my job its kinda hard to take 3-4 days off work to go to iowa. What im wondering is if this would be a bad decision in case the hip would get worse or start getting arthritis to the point that the tpo surgery would not work. I get laid off for the winter so next winter would be a perfect time to go have hip surgery done if it doesnt get worse.

[LABS4ME]

There is an awesome orthopedic surgeon righ here in the Twin Cities. Does Patella surgery all the time and has no problem with TPOs. I can get his name and number for you... hold tight on the Iowa State plan... I have the utmost confidence that he would be able to serve your needs and do a great job.

Good Luck!

Ken

[eric29]

How much more expensive would he be. I hate to say it but cost is an issue, ans i was told that if were to take her north its gunna be alot more than south. Getting the surgery is gunna happen but i cant afford a fortune. I got a quote for the knee from the specialist in town at 1000-1100 and she guessed bout 2000-2500 for the hip.

I would be interest in the name and number.

Thank you

[311Hemi]

Eric, I think Ken may be talking about Dr. Levine based out of Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital. He is very well known in the Twin Cities. I would give them a call and they should be able to provide you with more info on him and/or costs.