Mr. Higgins had 2 patella repairs and then a patella removal. Grade 4 in one, grade 3 on the other. He walks beautifully, no limp, no pain, runs around and is a happy guy. He was 13 mos, 15 mos, then 4yrs old for the removal. He is on glucosamine, chondroitin, msm and salmon oil. It was all worth it.

Mr. Higgins had 2 patella repairs and then a patella removal. Grade 4 in one, grade 3 on the other. He walks beautifully, no limp, no pain, runs around and is a happy guy. He was 13 mos, 15 mos, then 4yrs old for the removal. He is on glucosamine, chondroitin, msm and salmon oil. It was all worth it.

it isn't one of those things that slip back into place and get better. They need to have the issue repaired before permanent damage is done to the surrounding bone, ligature and tissue. A second opinion is a very good thing in these cases though, just to be certain you are getting the right surgery and that it will be fairly successful. I am getting ready to have Isabella's knee done...but have decided to wait until after our move. I am a little leery lately of my fabulous vet, who has changed some in the last couple of visits. He isn't the same....not sure what is going on, but I think he is just as stressed financially as the rest of us. I just don't want him to be stressed and operating on my dog all at the same time:-)



Amy, Sophia and Isabella

it isn't one of those things that slip back into place and get better. They need to have the issue repaired before permanent damage is done to the surrounding bone, ligature and tissue. A second opinion is a very good thing in these cases though, just to be certain you are getting the right surgery and that it will be fairly successful. I am getting ready to have Isabella's knee done...but have decided to wait until after our move. I am a little leery lately of my fabulous vet, who has changed some in the last couple of visits. He isn't the same....not sure what is going on, but I think he is just as stressed financially as the rest of us. I just don't want him to be stressed and operating on my dog all at the same time:-)



Amy, Sophia and Isabella

If they are moving in and out of the knee, they can cause a lot of damage over time. I would have them repaired sooner rather than later, but not without a second opinion:-) To my knowledge they are not painful, but I am sure that is an uncomfortable feeling to have your kneecap slip back and forth. Eew:-(

Amy, Sophia and Isabella

If they are moving in and out of the knee, they can cause a lot of damage over time. I would have them repaired sooner rather than later, but not without a second opinion:-) To my knowledge they are not painful, but I am sure that is an uncomfortable feeling to have your kneecap slip back and forth. Eew:-(

Amy, Sophia and Isabella

but to be sure that surgery will "fix" your dog, I think its worth investing $40-50 to get another independent opinion (ie, exam by knowledgable vet). A few vets I've encountered over the years, not really gifted, have suggested that the dog's movement problems come from bad hips...NOT SO. I agree with the doc who recommended corrective surgery for the LP, not only because of the young age of the dog (projected good recovery, ligaments should still be strong, kneecap may be able to be "regrooved" if it hasn't worn too badly, etc). You would probably only do one at a time, allowing 6-8wks before doing the other one?? Here's another example (along with elongated palate surgery) where experience counts!! There are older procedures that worked well for my dogs (3 knees total) and there are newer ones that should make healing better/stronger but you don't want to be among the first 5-10 knees this doc has done! Ask specifically how many of this particular procedure the vet has done, what his success rate is = dog walking without pain or limp. Don't hesitate to ask all your questions...its a whole lotta money and its YOUR bulldog...you're entitled to have all your questions answered.

but to be sure that surgery will "fix" your dog, I think its worth investing $40-50 to get another independent opinion (ie, exam by knowledgable vet). A few vets I've encountered over the years, not really gifted, have suggested that the dog's movement problems come from bad hips...NOT SO. I agree with the doc who recommended corrective surgery for the LP, not only because of the young age of the dog (projected good recovery, ligaments should still be strong, kneecap may be able to be "regrooved" if it hasn't worn too badly, etc). You would probably only do one at a time, allowing 6-8wks before doing the other one?? Here's another example (along with elongated palate surgery) where experience counts!! There are older procedures that worked well for my dogs (3 knees total) and there are newer ones that should make healing better/stronger but you don't want to be among the first 5-10 knees this doc has done! Ask specifically how many of this particular procedure the vet has done, what his success rate is = dog walking without pain or limp. Don't hesitate to ask all your questions...its a whole lotta money and its YOUR bulldog...you're entitled to have all your questions answered.

doing some accupuncture for his back....wilson has hemi vertbrea and some times his back others him...they were found by accident during some x rays that were being taken.... i do accupuncture every three to four weeks...it has sure helped him....
as for the patellas i would not rush into surgery unill the back problem was solved....
ut good luck...keep us posted....

doing some accupuncture for his back....wilson has hemi vertbrea and some times his back others him...they were found by accident during some x rays that were being taken.... i do accupuncture every three to four weeks...it has sure helped him....
as for the patellas i would not rush into surgery unill the back problem was solved....
ut good luck...keep us posted....