Question:
Hi All;

Please forgive me if I posted in the wrong spot as I am a new member. I would like some help with a problem dealing with one of my Shih Tzu.
My little dog is 7 and is having a problem with one of her back legs. After she lays down for some time she limps when she gets up for a few seconds, then she can go running and playing like normal.
I took her to our vet and was told it is a problem with her knee, that it pops out of place and then go back to normal. The condition is called " PATELLAR LUXATION". He told me that she should be operated on to repair the damage and that shortly afterwards the other leg would also have to be done.
My question is if anyone has had a dog with the same problem. It seems to me that while she doesn't have any pain should it be done now. All the reading I did on the internet says it should be at a different degree in order to operate. I guess there are stages of this problem and according to what I read it said she should be worse in order to have the operation.
I do not want her to have any pain and really am very confused on whether to go ahead with the operation or not. My mind keeps running through it all and wondering if she would develope arthritis because of the operation. Could it make her worse than she is now?
Anyone who has been through this with their dog and can give me any information would be a great help in coming to the proper conclusion about this operation.

Thanks
Caper3101


Answer: