Sa: Pls A Good Vet/surgeon Poss Cruciate/lux Patella Mixed Advice

[Deelirious]

Hi All,

We adopted a chihauhah this year, When we first got her we noticed she had a slight limp and lifted her leg only when taken for a walk. It has now developed a lot more over the past couple months. she weighs 3.2 kgs

Vet 1: Put her on anti-inflamatories (sp) for ten days and then ended up putting her under for a closer inpection. Vet 1 says Fully ruptured right cruciate ligament. vet 1 wants to do surgery and did not give much advice re: healing naturally

Vet 2: Inspected her whilst not under and says she definately has a luxating patella which is the main issue, he said if she has a fully ruptured cruciate she would not put as muh weight on it but he will be able to tell definately when he does the surgery for the luxating patella. he said surgery is up to me as i'm with her 24hrs a day and should know how much it's bothering her.

I've also gone to pet chiro who said it may be a luxating patella.

Anyway I want to make the right choice for my doggie and really need a recomendation to a third vet as i'm not satisfied with the advice so far.

Can anyone recommend a vet they think may be able to help?

Thanks so much

[Deelirious]

I'm in adelaide southern suburbs, but will travel anywhere for the right advice and possibly good surgeon if surgery needs to be done.

edit// please let me know if you need any further info.

Edited July 24, 2010 by Deelirious

[willis08]

There is a vet at Paralowie vet clinic named Steve Crouch who is very experienced at cruciate ligament surgery, he and his partner Jonathon ( can't remember his last name ) have both worked in the U.K with Crufts clients. Steve is a fantastic surgeon, with a no B.S attitude, he did a cruciate ligament op on my daughters JR, and he was completely recovered 3 weeks post op.

The suture job alone he done on that dog was better than any doctors work i've ever seen.

I highly recommend him.

[Kimjm1]

A cruciate rupture will not heal naturaly

[Daisys Mum]

There is a vet at Paralowie vet clinic named Steve Crouch who is very experienced at cruciate ligament surgery, he and his partner Jonathon ( can't remember his last name ) have both worked in the U.K with Crufts clients. Steve is a fantastic surgeon, with a no B.S attitude, he did a cruciate ligament op on my daughters JR, and he was completely recovered 3 weeks post op.

The suture job alone he done on that dog was better than any doctors work i've ever seen.

I highly recommend him.

This is the vet i go to too Jonathon is awesome... he was the attending vet when we had Kira PTS. We will always be grateful to him for the compassion he showed

[Rappie]

I can't help with recommendations in SA, but having a patella luxation can certainly contribute to joint instability which may lead to cruciate ligament tears. The best assessment for cruciate stability is done under GA, it's certainly possible to detect both partial and full tears in dogs while they are concious but the joints are often painful as well. The degree of lameness does not always dictate the severity of the injury, I've examined several dogs recently that appeared normal and a cruciate rupture was an incidental finding. In dogs under 10kg there can be enough scarring and thickening around the joint to provide some stability but surgical repair is recommended for dogs over 10kg.

[Deelirious]

I can't help with recommendations in SA, but having a patella luxation can certainly contribute to joint instability which may lead to cruciate ligament tears. The best assessment for cruciate stability is done under GA, it's certainly possible to detect both partial and full tears in dogs while they are concious but the joints are often painful as well. The degree of lameness does not always dictate the severity of the injury, I've examined several dogs recently that appeared normal and a cruciate rupture was an incidental finding. In dogs under 10kg there can be enough scarring and thickening around the joint to provide some stability but surgical repair is recommended for dogs over 10kg.

Cool thanks for the recommendation all!

I thought I read somewhere that they could heal naturally but it was on the internet somewhere so prob not the most trustworthy advice!! haha

And Rappie, thanks for the advice what you have said definately makes sense!! I have not had any experience with this before so the information you've given is really helpful!

Thanks all for the responses I really appreciate it. I really want to make sure I do the right thing for her so as to keep her as happy, healthy and active for the rest of her life.

=)

[Pugmum]

Hi

My girl had both her knees done (not at the same time) and hers were diagnosed and eventually operated on at the Brighton Vet Hospital, Briighton Road - 8296 4300. Dr John Calder did them and I cant recommend him enough.

If you are seriously still concerned get a referral tot he Adelaide Veterinary Specialst and referral centre - 102 Magill Road - 8132 0533. There is a canine specialst there Dr David Davies, and they also have a specialist surgeon there (as well as other specialists). You cant go wrong there.

Brigitte

[GSD FAN]

I work at Adelaide Plains Vet Surgery at Two Wells (about 20 minutes out from Salisbury). We get quite a few cruciate cases there. Worth checking out!!

[wire]

If you are seriously still concerned get a referral tot he Adelaide Veterinary Specialst and referral centre - 102 Magill Road - 8132 0533. There is a canine specialst there Dr David Davies, and they also have a specialist surgeon there (as well as other specialists). You cant go wrong there.

I also suggest a referral to Dr David Davies at the Adel Vet Specialist. He is highly regared.

[Ravyk]

Aldgate Vet is a very good vet. Recommended to me by a GSD breeder, I have been very happy with her.

She also desexed my bitch, which went extremely well and I was very happy with everything.

Edited July 27, 2010 by Ravyk

[Deelirious]

Thanks all some good referrals there, I'm feeling a bit more confident but will likely get one more consultation with another vet first just to be sure.

I've heard about Adelaide Veterinary Specialst and referral centre, do you approach your vet for the referral?

[Pugmum]

Yes, any vet can refer you.

Its worth noting too if you are int he Adelaide area that they have a 24 hour emergency service - I dont think you need to be a referred client for that service.

The care there is extremely good.

[hbs]

Hi

My girl had both her knees done (not at the same time) and hers were diagnosed and eventually operated on at the Brighton Vet Hospital, Briighton Road - 8296 4300. Dr John Calder did them and I cant recommend him enough.

If you are seriously still concerned get a referral tot he Adelaide Veterinary Specialst and referral centre - 102 Magill Road - 8132 0533. There is a canine specialst there Dr David Davies, and they also have a specialist surgeon there (as well as other specialists). You cant go wrong there.

Brigitte

Dr Davies is absolutely brilliant. Our now-passed away kelpie Max spent the last 14 months of his life making regular visits to him. He was caring, compassionate and honest at all times. Highly recommended.