So, my husband and I got a Boston Terrier back in June. Cleo is the most adorable little puppy ever. I never knew how much I could love an animal until she came into our lives.

On Tuesday night we noticed that she was experiencing some pain in her back hind leg so we brought her in to the after hours clinic. Yesterday she was diagnosed with a condition called Patellar Luxation, which basically means that her knee caps have slipped out of the groove. She's been in so much pain and it's just heart breaking.

We have to take her on Tuesday to a specialist that is going to perform surgery on both of her little knees. She isn't going to be able to walk for about 10 days, and it will then take a full 3 months for her to recover. She is only 8 months old and I feel just horrible. This is a common condition in Boston Terriers and the surgery generally has a 90-95% success rate, which is promising.

I just feel so helpless. She's just an innocent puppy and doesn't know why she is hurting.

If you could just say a little prayer for her, I would really appreciate it!

Sorry for going on and on, I just love her so much, and feel so helpless right now.

i totally understand what you are going through. my dog, a king charles cavalier, had a similar issue with her joints and was diagnosed with a luxating patella. the screaming she made when it first happened was horrific and i was helpless to comfort her. she was about 1 year old at the time (she turns 2 this month) and our vet suggested that as she grows she may grow out of it.

i am pleased to say that she doesn't have any more issues with her joints although we are careful to not overexercise her. surgery was a last issue. with all due respect 8 months is young and she still has a lot of growing to do. i trust you have a good relationship with your vet and are happy with their recommendations.

strangely, we also have a boston and i don't recall a luxating patella being an inherrant problem with them?

cleo is in my thoughts and i hope everything works out. i understand how you are feeling.

Hope the surgery goes well. She is very young, but that is a problem experienced with all small breeds including Bostons. I am a vet and see it a lot in any of the smaller dogs. If your dog is already having this much issues and your vet has recommended a specialist, then it sounds like it is definately time for surgery. Best of luck. But in my experience, most dog's do great and even though it will take time, will do fine. Good luck

Thank you all so much for your well wishes! I really appreciate you keeping my puppy in your prayers. I was literally beside myself when I posted this thread last week. Now, I'm feeling a bit better. My hardest challenge has been trying to keep Cleo from jumping all over the place. So we've been trying to keep her in the cage when we're not in the room.

Gatorgal, we trust our vet very much. He is a good man and genuinely cares about animals. Every time we bring Cleo in he always gets kisses from her. He deeply cares about what he does. He recommended the specialist. He even told us that he could perform the surgery, but he would prefer it if we brought her to the specialist. The surgery doesn't scare me, it's her recovery. What am I supposed to do with her when she comes home?? She's not going to be able to walk at all? How will she go pee? I'm just terrified I won't know what to do. The recovery just terrifies me. Am I overreacting? I mean, I just want her to be okay.

Just look at that face....

Chantal, your Cleo is so adorable, i love that spot on her head Sending prayers for a speedy recovery for her. I have had patellar subluxation myself so I know it is painful. Good for you for taking such good care of her.

Chantal - I am so sorry I didn't see your thread sooner. So sorry to hear about your beautiful Boston. I hope she is feeling better in no time. She is BEAUITFUL!!

From one boston terrier lover to another

Do you know about www.woofboard.com? If not you should join! My username there is Courtnie!

Thank you so much Courtnie! It's breaking my heart. We drove her to London yesterday, and I cried the whole way home. My husband keeps telling me that it is the best thing for her, I know this is true, it's just hard.

She's having her operation today some time. I'll know more this afternoon when the vet calls to update us on her condition. The specialist was very optomistic.

I just love my little baby soooo much.

I've never been on woofboard.com but I'm going to check it out today. Thanks for letting me know about it.

MyPriority: Thank you! She really is something.

I would highly recommend getting a Boston, despite my current situation. They are the best little dogs ever. So loving and affectionate. Not to mention the personalities these dogs have. You won't regret it.

Chantal -- Thank you for your kind words. I'm definitely still wanting a little girl boston terrier. Your little Cleo is in my prayers for her surgery today. Please keep us updated on her condition and how she does.

I totally agree, they are the funniest things and always put a smile on your face. Keiko is such a goof, she is sitting here now crying at me to throw her ball but everytime I go to get it she jumps and beats me to it! haha

As for woofboard, it is a HUGE group of boston terrier owners and breeders, TONS and TONS of information! Everytime I have a question I post and have answers within mintues. Hope to see you there There are a few members from here there, that is how I heard about it - a member here showed me

Courtnie -- I looked at that website and I love it!! Now I've been going over there every day and looking at all the pictures and it's making me want one more and more!!

Agreed Michelle. I am definitely going to register. Thanks for the referral Courtnie!

No word on Cleo yet, it's driving me crazy. I assume she's been operated on by now.

Any news Chantal? You could call the vet and ask how it went.