Doctor for 7lb Yorkie
 

We have a 7 lb Yorkie. She limps and has been given several prescriptions by our present doctor. She has a rear right leg and the patella is out of place.
The medicine doesn't seem to help outside of making her groggy, She is 11.5 years old.
If anyone could recommend a reliable orthopedic doctor or hospital, please let us know.
Thanks in advance.

Jack

I would contact the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, FL. Phone: 1-352-392-2235

Best Wishes.

There is a Vet Clinic in Maitland, Florida, that is a type of "specialty" practice.
We used a Veterinary Dentist there because our 10 lb dog had a persistent tumor in his mouth.
When it was removed by surgery at a local clinic, it grew back, much to our dismay.
The Maitland Dentist was fabulous, one surgery, and no more problems.
They have many different Vet specialists working out of that one location.
Good luck with your Yorkie.

AVS Specialists

University of Florida is wonderful !!

I also used the specialist in Maitland for my dog's eye surgery. but Gainesville would be closer.

I would go to University of Florida

Have you tried supplements?
 

My 10 yr old chi began losing strength in her hind legs, was slightly limping and was having a very difficult time jumping up on the sofa, bed, etc. I became alarmed and during her annual check up, the vet prescribed some Ritalyn. She is already on Enalapril so I was really hesitant in giving her another prescription. But I tried the Ritalyn for 1 week and there was no noticable improvement so I didn't want to continue it. A co-worker suggested that I try the OTC Glucosamine and Chondrotin. I started giving her the chewables (which she loved and she is very picky) and I noticed a tremendous improvement within 2 weeks! She can now jump on the sofa and bed without a problem and no limping. I also started taking them (ha,ha, not the same ones) and I swear within 1 week my elbow and knee pain disappeared and I have more flexibility.

I am no vet but maybe an OTC supplement can help with the pain? It wouldn't hurt IMHO. Sometime RX's just mask the pain and don't solve the problem.

Actually Glucosamine is a great idea. Without glucosamine, my 14 year old dog acts like a very old dog.
With glucosamine, it's amazing, he is like a puppy and can keep up with the young dogs at the dog park.
It works like a light switch, he goes from bad to super-wonderful in a few days.
Sadly, I tried people glucosamine for six months, and it definitely doesn't work for me.

The products I use for my dog:
Head to Tail - Hip & Joint (chicken liver flavored dog chews). I bought it at Paws. Sometimes he gets tired of taking one every day, so I put a little mayonnaise on it.
or
Cosequin DS joint health supplement plus MSM (tasty soft chews). I bought this product at Walmart.

Last trip to Ocala, I thought I saw a new vet service offered from the U of Florida...on the street behind Paddock mall. Anyone else know anything about this?

Marianne,

That is an emergency clinic run by U of F that is located behind Paddock Mall. Hours are M-F 5pm-8am and Weekends open 24 hours.

Sent you a PM but will post here too for the sake of others that may have this problem.

Jack & Pam, please check with Dr. Zern at Chuluota Vet Hospital. Chuluota is just on the East side of Orlando and he fixes many of the dogs we bring in at Poodle and Pooch Rescue, Dogs for adoption from our Rescue in Orlando FL of which I am The Villages liaison. If you click on the link, then go to the IN RECOVERY page, scroll down & you'll see a Sr. Yorkie that had the surgery on both legs.

I checked with our President when I saw your post and she said Dr. Zern did her dog's surgery as well and she said he is hands down the BEST in our area.
Phone is 407-366-3233

If your baby has a patella problem, meds won't fix it.

Rebecca from PPR will be at Eisenhower Rec Center this Wed- Dec 3rd @ 7pm as will I for the RDOG meeting.

She has much experience with problems such as your Yorkies. Susan G

Thanks all. I have appt with Dr Zern this Friday with possible surgery to follow the same day. Thanks a million Susan G.

Wishing Your Yorkie Well...
 

Glad you were able to get an appointment this week with Dr. Zern as I'm sure it upsets you to see your little girl suffer...We'll keep you in our thoughts.

If you come to the RDOG3 meeting this Wednesday at 7pm at Eisenhower, please say hello as Rebecca from Poodle and Pooch Rescue and I will be doing the presentation.

I don't know the name of the clinic but when my dog was having back problems my vet told me if it didn't improve I could go to an orthopedic dr. in Orlando. This is going to sound strange but I found an animal chiropractor that helped our boy Jack. Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't see it myself. If you want the name let me know.