puppy with heart murmur and luxating patellas

Question
Got my 6 month year old puppy spayed on Friday at 6.5 months.  Hayden is an 80% wolf mix with 20% malamute.  He back knees showed some wird signs over the past two months, she won't stretch them out, crawling on the floor, but still actively playing with our older dog, happy, eating, and etc. The vet called said that she had a 3/5 heart murmur, and that it would most likely not heal over since she was already 6.5 months. Also- both her back knees have luxating patellas. Xrays shows arthritis in these knees already at such a young age.  I belive that we will go see some specialists in Boise, as we live in the mountains for both issues.  But I cannot afford a $5000 ++ dog. I even got her VPI pet insurance, but heart and knee issues are exclusions.  In your opinion, as I am crying about my sweet baby writing this, what are the best things that we can do with alternative medicine, inlcude herbs, adjustments, acupuncture, etc. to make her life the best we possible can?  
We were told to limit her activity for now, with her being fixed and the other issues- currently she is bounding through the back yard in the several feet of snow!  Any help would be greatly appreciated!!  Thanks for your time, Katherine

Answer
Hi Katherine;  Your dog had a number of genetic issues.  POOR kid and POOR YOU!  I understand not having 5000.00 PLUS to put into this doggie.  ( I would not have the money, either..)
Pet insurance won't cover many of the genetic problems faced by pet owners.  ( as you know)

I can give you some advice on the Knee - trick knee / luxating patella and arthritis:
*As for the heart / you can look into a holistic vet ,for some advice on heart herbs and other helpers to strengthen the muscle on the heart.  

Luxating Patella in Wolf Mix dog:
Just about levels... so you know:
Levels 1-2 don't need surgery --- level 3 luxating patella is a ? on surgery
Always levels 4-5 need surgery...

PLEASE try this - WE have Great luck "avoiding" surgery with the NuVET Plus and NuJOINT Products.

Call in today and talk to the NuVET girls   1-800-474-7044
Tell them Pet Nurse Marie sent you for some NuVET and NuJOINT for your kid with the TRICK Knee - luxating patella knee.  ***Explain he already has Arthritis....
YOU will get a 60 day money back guarantee...USE discount code 81098 when you call in.
They will ask if you had a referral code ..
THIS is all Natural and Holistic / not sold in stores...

the bottles run 20.00; 30.00 and 55.00
Just 1 NuVET per day and 4 NuJOINTS per day - they are like a "treat" wafer...

My nuvet site: some of our clients:
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html

YOU WILL see results in less than 3 weeks -  Helps to reduced inflammation, too.

KEEP your baby on the products - long term - they may help to heal and repair the knee and LESSEN the arthritis from setting into the joints.

Keep me posted
My private e-mail
mtnmom@gci.net

Ask the Pet Nurse
I HOPE I have helped a little ....
Good luck kids!