Handicapped chihuahua, surgery options

[lust]

My little baby girl somehow injured her front leg about 4 years ago while I was at work in Canada when she was a puppy. I would keep her in the bathroom while I went to work, but one day I came home and she was limping. I can only imagine she jumped into the bath tub because there was nothing in the room that could hurt her. I brought her to the vet where she had xrays done. Initially I was told there was no break but they decided to wrap it anyways.

About a week later, we went to have the little cast taken off, but her leg was twisted, bent and still limping. I was so angry and demanded they do xrays again. They agreed to not charge anything the 2nd time, but after the xray there was still no break. The vet explained that where the injury is, it is to do with cartilage in the joint and will require surgery for about $3000 ( approx 100,000baht). I couldn't afford it so I couldn't get it done.

Now she is getting older and I am afraid that she will have a hard time to get around as she ages. I am wondering if anyone has had an operation for their loved one and what the results were. I am afraid to let someone operate without having the proper knowledge.

It's difficult for her to go for walks and have a normal life. Here are pics so you can see her leg.

[wayned]

If it happen four years ago and she isn't having any problems, I would let it be. The tendons have healed and any surgery would cause undue pain and stress. The problem is commonly know as "drop paw" . I picked up a Thai pup that been run over by a motorcycle 9 years ago. She couldn't walk on it at all and the vet wanted to amputate it. We let it go and she got around on three legs for years holding the bad leg to her chest. I finally had it amputated when she got into a fight and the leg got infected. She's now almost twn and get around as fast or fasrer than her "buddies".