When Haley was about one and a half years old we noticed that she rarely bent her hind knees when she walked and ran and sometimes we would find her limping and holding up (mostly) her right hind leg.  The limping and lameness in both hind legs gradually got worse and so we scheduled x-rays.  Haley had bloodwork done before her x-rays because she had to be sedated for the x-rays.  Our vet called with the results of the bloodwork and we were told that her liver enzyme levels were out of the normal range, but it was nothing to worry about because she presented as a healthy dog and we would just continue to monitor her levels.  She had x-rays done and, as predicted, she had luxating patellas in both hind legs.

We were referred to a surgery specialist and made a consultation appointment.  When we got there the surgeon felt confident that he could repair Haley’s knees, but he expressed concern about the abnormal liver enzyme levels.  To make a long story short, Haley underwent additional testing to see if there was a liver problem present, we were very worried about this new potential health problem and we went for a second opinion on Haley’s surgical and potential liver issues.  The second surgeon we consulted with was also confident that he could repair Haley’s knees.  He worked together with an internist to evaluate Haley’s potential liver problem and they concluded that there was no risk for surgery due to the abnormal liver enzyme levels and that there was no liver problem present so we would just have to keep an eye on her levels.

Haley successfully underwent double knee surgery on April 14, 2005.  She was an absolute trooper; she was so brave and strong.  Her recovery was uneventful, except for when she tried to push herself faster than the doctor advised.  It was an adventure trying to keep her rested, off of the stairs and not jumping, running and playing.  It was estimated that her casts would be on for up to 4 weeks (they came off in 10 days) and that her full recovery would be 12+ weeks (she got there in about half of the time, if it was even that long).  We were very careful that she didn’t push too hard with her recovery, but she just flew threw it and her knees were ready for what she wanted to do.

When we took Haley back for her 12 week check-up she showed off to her surgeon by jumping up and down the seating area.  He was very impressed with her recovery and she got a clean bill of health with regards to her surgery.  Prior to her surgery I had promised Haley that I would throw her ball as hard, as far and as long as I possibly could once she had her new knees and I have tried to do that for her as best as I can!  It has been just over 9 months since her surgery and you would never know that, at one point, Haley walked on her two front paws with her tush elevated and swinging back and forth in the air because her hind legs just couldn’t hold the weight.  Except for her scars you would never know that she had double knee surgery!

Fortunately, there is one last piece of good news about Haley.  In October 2005 Haley had routine bloodwork done and the results showed that… HER LIVER ENZYME LEVELS ARE COMPLETELY NORMAL!!!!!!!!!  At this point they’re not even near the high end of the normal range; they are just NORMAL.  There were tears of joy when that news was received because it meant a 100% full clean bill of health for Haley.  A possible explanation for the previous abnormal levels were that the stress of the luxating patellas could have thrown off the liver enzyme levels.  Whatever the case may be, we are so very thankful for Haley’s new knees and normal liver enzyme levels!!!

♥ WE LOVE YOU HALEY ♥