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!

[lvpets2002]

Oh No Poor Wittle Frankie.. I hate you are having to go thru this & with pain.. Sending Lots of PT Positive Healing Vibes & Prayers & Huggss..

[Alysser]

Poor babe, I'm sorry his knee is bothering him Get Well soon!

[lizbud]

Poor little guy. I'm sorry he is going through this. Hopefully the
surgery will help him be painfree. Best of luck Frankie.

[lv4dogs]

Glad to see he's back in the comforts of home... for the night at least. We will continue to keep yous in our thoughts. Hoping for a successful surgery & fast & proper healing too!

[chocolatepuppy]

Poor Frankie. Hopefully soon you'll be fixed up and playing without pain. It's no fun Carmen, I know, and the expense hurts too, but is well worth it. Please keep us updated on the little guy.

[Daisy and Delilah]

OMG!!! I'm so sad seeing you, Frankie. Just think, buddy, after your surgery, you'll be a new man. I can certainly relate to the crappy knee syndrome. Thoughts and prayers going out to Frankie, Carmen, Beenie , Hubby and the rest of the family. Get well soon, Frankie Boy!!!! SMOOCH!!!!!

[beeniesmom]

I just got back home (alone).

I left the house at 6.30 am. and dropped him off at the vets at 7.30 am.
He didn't even give me a kiss bye bye. He was too busy showing off with the vet tech to bother with his mommy. I swear that dog would go off with anyone! All the other dogs were scared and pulled towards their owner... mine the opposite. He was ready to go with the nice lady.
This is the same dog that cries when I leave the house to go to the store for 5 min. but if my husband leaves he could care less.

I hung around the vets until 9.00 am.

I then went to get a little something to eat and then roam the nearby mall. I walked the mall back and forth... back and forth until 11.30 trying not to look like I felt and then went back to the vets.

They said they had just started prepping him for surgery (sedation and shave his leg) and that I was more than welcome to stay but I wouldn't be able to see him afterward anyway. I stayed in the lobby for about 5 minutes and called hubby at work who told me to go home. They assured me they'd call the minute he was done with surgery and awake for an update. According to the front office, that would be around.... 2.30 - 3ish pm.

So I will wait and try not to drive myself crazy with thoughts of stuff going wrong. I know, you all probably think I am a nut. This is a routine surgery that they do at least 5x a day. He will be fine and none the worse for wear and I will be a wreck. This is the first time I leave him anywhere for the night besides my in-laws. I can't wait until they call me to let me know everything is ok and I can't wait to go get him tomorrow.

[lvpets2002]

We think you are normal.. If you did not worry = thats when we would think your nuttss.. Its so normal to worry about our wittle ones at the Vet.. All Paws Crossed for Good News.. Sending Prayers & Huggss..