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OP, please find an orthopedic vet and get a second opinion before you make a decision.
Surgery for luxating patellas works well. If the problem isn't too severe, and you dont want the surgery, it is easy to pop the patella back into place. It's not hard to learn how to do it.
However, luxating patella doesn't normally cause the sort of pain your dog is suffering. If you had just given us the symptoms without saying what the vet had told you it was, I never would have guessed patellas.
So here is the issue that worries me. Luxating patella is extremely easy to diagnose, so your vet is almost certainly correct about that. But I suspect that something else is wrong. The dog needs a complete work-up by a specialist vet because it would be tragic to pay for expensive patella surgsry, only to find out the pain was from something else, that a regular pet vet missed because he stopped looking after he found the easy to find problem
OP, you are in Maine. I suggest you contact some vets in Canada and get some price estimates.
I have a friend who drove a lot further than that to get radiation treatments for a dog with bone cancer. The price was so much lower that it was worth spending hours in the car. She simply couldn't afford the treatments at the local vet.
No promises about costs, but it would be worth making a few phone calls. If the saving is substantial enough, you might be able to put it on a credit card (but still get a second opinion before doing the surgery)
I have a Border Collie/Lab mix. He shows more border collie traits. I had to have xrays on him and was told he NEEDS surgery for bilateral luxating patellas. The right side is much worse as he is in pain on that side and holds that leg up. He doesn't put weight on it much. He can be doing well, but then he goes out to do his business and by the time he comes in (which is not long at all), he's limping again and just lays down. He spends most of his day laying down, not like him at all. He hasn't brought me a ball or toy in over two weeks. Here's the problem...surgery is expensive and I truly don't have the money to pay it immediately. I cannot find a vet in the state of Maine that will work with me on a payment plan, and I cannot get the Care Credit that everyone mentions. He's only two, and I hate that he is just spending his days laying down, not playing and running like he should be. I've been told he may end up having surgery again in the future, and that he will have arthritis. It is hard to do massage therapy, as he's already bit my husband twice for even touching that leg. He has snapped at me and my daughter also. I'm worried he will bite someone else. I know he doesn't mean to, he is a really sweet dog...he's just hurting. I need advice... anyone?
Glen highlands border collie rescue.
Surrender him and they will get him surgery and a home that can afford his care.
OP, please find an orthopedic vet and get a second opinion before you make a decision.
Surgery for luxating patellas works well. If the problem isn't too severe, and you dont want the surgery, it is easy to pop the patella back into place. It's not hard to learn how to do it.
However, luxating patella doesn't normally cause the sort of pain your dog is suffering. . . .
You know, that is a good suggestion. The pain described was what surprised, and concerned, me. I figured the diagnosis was right, and the condition was exceptionally severe. But what if it isn't the kneecap causing all the pain? Sure, and a dislocated joint, anywhere, can be extremely painful, but the pain goes way down when it gets put back into place. However, I can personally vouch that it doesn't go away - but say you had a dislocation with 9 out of 10 pain. Putting it back in place can knock the pain down to 6-7. Sometimes even more, but not always.
Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke
OP, you are in Maine. I suggest you contact some vets in Canada and get some price estimates.
I have a friend who drove a lot further than that to get radiation treatments for a dog with bone cancer. The price was so much lower that it was worth spending hours in the car. She simply couldn't afford the treatments at the local vet.
No promises about costs, but it would be worth making a few phone calls. If the saving is substantial enough, you might be able to put it on a credit card (but still get a second opinion before doing the surgery)
It could be worth making phone calls. However, while it USED to be a fairly easy thing, crossing the border to Canada, it isn't anymore. Our border guards have become some of the worst ***holes I have ever experienced in international travel, when they used to be among the best. I used to travel for work, so I've seen a bit. Between the regulations, which have become very restrictive, and our current crop of border agents, I wouldn't want to try taking my dogs across the border. However, if you played your cards carefully, did your research, and opened up communication with the border guards in advance, it should reduce the pain of crossing the border in today's world.
WOW...the classist comments on CD never cease to amaze me...
It IS a bit blunt, and rough, but still has some truth. Based on what we've heard, this problem is unusually severe, and the fix for this problem is accordingly expensive. The solution suggested should be considered in the mix of things.
It IS a bit blunt, and rough, but still has some truth. Based on what we've heard, this problem is unusually severe, and the fix for this problem is accordingly expensive. The solution suggested should be considered in the mix of things.
First of all it's pointless as the dog is a mixed breed. No purebred rescue would take it. Why in the world would someone suggest GIVING UP THE DOG to a rescue when the owner clearly cares for it? As someone who donates to rescues I would expect them to use any funds set aside for these situations and not expect a surrender in turn. Is this where we are going? Where does it end? Can't afford chemo? What about a $10K surgery? Well, then you just MUST give your dog up to "rescue" who can "afford it". BTW, with what money are they affording it? Oh yeah, that's right mine and a lot of other people's money that sure wouldn't want caring owners separated from their own dogs. Sheesh.
My Bentley is actually a rescue. Actually, his Mom was the rescue, but she was pregnant. So he was one in the litter of pups. And honestly, I don't think I could give him up to a rescue, or anyone. Not about me, but it's about him. He is very attached to me. Even in pain he will follow me and lay outside my shower door when I shower. If I go anywhere, he will lay by the front door til I get hone, even when my husband or daughter are here, and he won't even eat. I feel that it would not just be terrifying for him, but very traumatic. I did discuss things with our regular vet, who said he would normally send us to a specialist as he does not do these surgeries often. But he did say it was severe, and that he needs surgery. But the cost for the specialist (we have like 2 in Maine, I guess), would exceed what I've been told by other vets. So he could do it for less, but he doesn't sound very confident. I would have to buy a sling to lift him up, as he needs the surgery on both legs. I fear that arthritis has already started, even though he is young. He growls the second you are anywhere near his rear quarters. I am giving him "natural" pain meds, which help sone, but not enough. My dog, who chases (terrorizes, lol) the cats, plays fetch, goes inband out all day, even if it's just to lay on the deck in the sun, and gets the case of the zoomies everyday, has done nothing but lay and sleep on and off, and has no desire to go out except to use the bathroom. And even then, he ends up popping his knee out. It breaks my heart to see him suffering. ��
WOW...the classist comments on CD never cease to amaze me...
The dog is looking at a lifetime of surgeries, the OP cannot afford this one. The dog is suffering, the family who loves the dog is suffering. Some have suggested putting the dog down, I didn’t even suggest that but rather they surrender the dog to an organization he will fix his knees and find him a home who can afford his future surgeries. Or would you suggest they all just suffer? The dog in pain and the family in guilt?
First of all it's pointless as the dog is a mixed breed. No purebred rescue would take it. Why in the world would someone suggest GIVING UP THE DOG to a rescue when the owner clearly cares for it? As someone who donates to rescues I would expect them to use any funds set aside for these situations and not expect a surrender in turn. Is this where we are going? Where does it end? Can't afford chemo? What about a $10K surgery? Well, then you just MUST give your dog up to "rescue" who can "afford it". BTW, with what money are they affording it? Oh yeah, that's right mine and a lot of other people's money that sure wouldn't want caring owners separated from their own dogs. Sheesh.
I mentioned that specific rescue because I have worked with them and they absolutely do take border collie mixes FREQUENTLY.
Read the first line, “Border collies and border collie mixes”. Additionally, they accept dogs from Maine and they specifically talk about medical rescues. They are in NY state, they have an in house staff and on call vet which makes things much more affordable for them than for a private citizen. And make no mistake this is now a special needs dog, and those they frequently keep on the farm for the duration of their lives.
It’s ironic that you mention classism and then pretend that because you have made donations (and clearly not to this rescue) in the past you and this makes you entitled to determine what is best for dogs and families. His dog is looking at a lifetime of surgical and supportive care that will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. If you feel so strongly that this animal that is in pain right now should not be put into rescue to get it immediate care than put your money where your mouth is and send the OP the money you otherwise would donate.
OP it is clear you love this dog and it is suffering. Contact glen highland, they can even come get your dog, and they will set him up in a home that can meet his needs and stop him from suffering.
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WOW...the classist comments on CD never cease to amaze me...
