My poor little man. He's home. UPDATE with pictures.

[beeniesmom]

Finally our appointment with the orthopedic specialist has arrived.
I will be leaving the house in about an hour.

Frankie's knee has been so bad in the last couple of months. I posted about his patellar luxation probably a year ago. I hoped he would grow out of the problem, as did Beenie a few years back but he didn't.

Our regular vet suggested this appointment with the specialist because he really belives Frankie needs surgery (possibly on both knees). One is much worse than the other. It causes him to yelp in pain everytime he jumps and limp pretty much most of the time. I haven't been able to walk him for about 2 months now because he stays sore when I do.

I found out the other day, when confirming the appointment, that they may even keep him today and do the surgery tomorrow, if need be.

I'll let you know what happens when we come back. I just hope he doesn't need it for both legs. This is a very expensive surgery and we really didn't need this expense ($1,500) for one leg, especially with the baby coming too.

With me not working like I did last year, it will be tight....

That said.... Frankie is worth it to me, and more.

[boomersooner]

Good luck to you and your pupper....

[lv4dogs]

Aww poor Frankie. I remember your concern about his knees before & I too was hoping it would diminish over time. I'll keep yous in my thoughts & prayers. I wish him the best of luck... I love that little guy! Keep us posted please.

[JenBKR]

Oh poor Frankie! ((((hugs)))) to you both. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[cassiesmom]

Prayers for Frankie and mom from here too

[beeniesmom]

OK, We just got back from our appointment.
We were there from 10 am until 1 pm.
They did an initial visit and consult and determined that yes, there was a problem.
They then sedated him and did x-rays.
Second consult an hour later ... confirmed that both knees are crap and that they've been crap since he was about 1 years old.
One is worse than the other. The left is a stage 4, the right leg is stage 3.
4 is the worse rating.
I was wrong about the cost. It's closer to 2K for one leg. It was either this dr. or take him to the university animal teaching hospital in Gainsville where a student would have done it for a little less. I think the choice was clear.
For now, we are having the right one done. It's not the worst one but it's the one giving him pain. The left one is so bad they want to wait and see if he is stable with the right before even considering touching it.
He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. I drop him off in the morning.
I'll have to leave him for the night and will get him back on Wednesday.
He's sleeping off the sedation from the x-rays now.
This is him a few minutes ago still groggy from the x-ray sedation.



Thanks everyone for the well wishes.

[Casper]

Poor guy! Smooches going out to the handsome boy. I am sorry he has to deal with bad knees.

(((Hugs))) and good vibes headed out for both of you. I will keep you all in my thoughts.

Get well soon, Frankie!

[boomersooner]

So glad everything went well....he'll be back romping around before you know it....and best of all, he'll be pain free!!!

[beeniesmom]

He is home. Very tired and dirty but doing ok. (He poo'd on himself).





I gave him a sponge bath, fed him boiled chicken and put his knee on ice.
Now he is resting.

[beeniesmom]

He goes back in 2 weeks to remove the staples (11) and then in a month he has to take more x-rays. They put 2 pins in his knee which will stay unless they start moving about.

He is a little embarrassed because they shaved his leg.

[lvpets2002]

Hey there wittle man Frankie = good to see your doing good & at home.. Now you are so stay calm & no running or jumping right?? Are you on some pain meds?? I sure hope so due to that looks painfull.. You be good for mom now & she will take good care of you.. Give her that wittle wink & she will feed you chicken soup furrever.. Heal up good & real soon.. Sending Some gentle wet nose kissess..