Joined for some much needed advice

[EB95]

Hello everyone,
I stumbled across this site and thought it was the place to get some advice on my lovely poochion. Archie has just turned 7. My old vet told us he had hip dysplacia and that he had to have surgery. Luckily the vet left and was replaced with someone new. On our six month check up he did not see any signs of the dysplacia but did say Archie has a laxating patella. He then went on to diaognose a grade 1 heart mumur and said that he is very tense in his lower back. Archie hates the vets and I know a grade 1 and tense muscles can just be a case of hating the vets but Since then his knee has become slightly worse with some weight gain and a change in sofas means he is having trouble jumping. However when he does he still uses his back legs to jump, still runs around like a puppy and enjoys his walks. He are thinking of having a knee surgery to fix his problem but we are concerned that the op will be to much for his heart and will put him at risk. I was wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long message!

 

[Josie]

Hello @EB95 and thank you for writing to us in the forum!

I’m afraid I don’t have any experience on this matter but there are lots of great people on here with advice and to offer you support.

Hopefully little Archie can get his problems sorted

 

[JoanneF]

Sorry I don't really have advice other than to discuss the heart risk for the surgery with your vet. A luxating patella is uncomfortable to painful depending on how bad it is and Archie is a young dog so it would no doubt be nicer for him not to have it. If you can get some weight off him before any surgery that would help both his knee and his heart.

 

[arealhuman]

Welcome to the forum, you'll find lots of good and friendly advice here. I don't have any experience of your situation, but the first thing that sprang to my mind is that perhaps you can help manage the condition as @JoanneF says - try and manage his weight, perhaps add a step up to his favourite spot on the sofa (maybe a foot stool or similar) so he can get up - and down - easily, and have a detailed chat with your new vet. Please keep us updated.