Luxating Patella

[AmberH]

I'm concerned that Penny may have a luxating patella. For those who don't know, she's a 1 year old Yorkshire Terrier. We'll be heading to the vet in a couple weeks for HW tests and I'll have the vet check her then.

In the meantime, if she does have them, or at least one (left rear), what should I be doing? What about exercise? Let her run around the yard like normal? Don't let her run? I had hoped to start CATs with her but with this issue popping up, should I forget that?

The reason for my suspicion is that when she's running, sometimes - not always, she'll randomly start limping and then a few steps later correct herself. Did a little research and Youtube video watching, and this is my conclusion. It doesn't seem to bother her when it happens and she doesn't act like it hurts either. She just goes about her business like nothing happened.

 

[JacksonsMom]

A lot of yorkies live with LP and never have to have surgery. Some more severe cases do. My friends 6lb yorkie has Grade II LP and still runs/walks/jumps as normal -- knee just slips out of place every now and then but vet is not concerned enough for surgery.

But I think it really depends on if it's bothering her a lot, becoming a hindrance in her life, or effecting her mobility a lot.

 

[AmberH]

Thanks for the input. I'm more concerned about they amount of exercise or intensity of the exercise she should get. I know she needs to stay active and the more muscle tone she has around her knee is better but I worry about working her too hard and ultimately causing more harm than good.

 

[sippor]

My dog - a cockapoo - has luxating patella that was diagnosed when she was about 3 or 4. She is now 8 and is completely fine as long as she takes glucosamine. I was convinced she'd have to have surgery and it would impact her life, but now it just doesn't come up.

Anyway, I have not limited her exercise. She runs and jumps and swims like a puppy. From what I understand it is not exercise itself that causes problems, it's certain movements that can cause the joint to pop out so some people keep their dogs on flat ground or running in a straight line vs. going wherever they want. If ground exercise does seem to be a problem, swimming can be a really good alternative.

I hope everything works out.

 

[Sekah]

Mega has mild LP in both legs, with one more significant than the other. I don't do much to manage her. I just try to keep her active and well muscled. I wouldn't bother with surgery in your position -- I hear it can hurt as often as it helps, and the issue itself isn't so serious that I would risk it.

 

[Laurelin]

Mia has a grade 3 and a grade 4. It has not impacted her at all yet. We don't really do much for it.

 

[AmberH]

Im going to try to make it to the vet tomorrow during walk in hours. Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[crazedACD]

Zoie has LP, one is worse. The vets have recommended surgery, but I really don't see her in pain, not enough to warrant surgery that might mess her up much worse. She's fine, she can run and play. When she was under a year, her knee was popping out (she would stop running and hold the leg up, I would straighten it and it went back in), but as she matured that went away and that doesn't happen anymore.

 

[sippor]

Im going to try to make it to the vet tomorrow during walk in hours. Thanks everyone for your comments.

I don't know if you're already doing glucosamine and have a favourite brand, but the one I use is called UbaVet. I don't know if it's better than other brands, but I do know that it works really, really well for my dog.

 

[AmberH]

The vet confirmed it. She has a very mild LP. I thought it was more her left leg that I noticed the limping. He said the right leg is worse.

I asked about lure coursing. He didn't know what I was talking about at first. But he said she would be fine to do it. We need to work on building more muscle in her legs. He complimented her nice rear conformation. He said because of it, the LP isn't as bad as it could be. He doesn't recommend surgery, which I didn't think he would. Like I said, it only pops out every now and then. If we get the muscle built up, he said we would see the issue disappear. It's worse in the spring because of lack of exercise during winter.

 

[Doberluv]

I wouldn't do surgery unless it's absolutely necessary. And that's what I've been getting from vets in more recent years...that they don't want to do it unless the dog is having a really hard time.

When my 12 year old Chi mix, Jose` was young, he had a terrible time with it. It would pop out and he'd cry in pain. It popped out easily and often. So, he had the surgery which was somewhat successful for some years but then, as the vet predicted, it didn't hold forever all that well and it was a horrible recovery....loads of pain and misery. Awful. Once he healed, if I kept him exercised, it all but eliminated any problem for him. I actually notice it in both knees. But he hiked long mountain trails with the big dogs and me every day, ran, jumped around...was fine for years. If he missed too many walks in a row, that's when the thing gave him more trouble. So, those muscles, ligaments and tendons being strong help hold things together and counter acts the effects I think.

My little, tiny toy Poodle, Maurice has it mildly I think. It's popped out a couple times but he has no sign of pain and so far, it's very infrequent. So, I'll keep him exercised and hope it doesn't get worse. My other Poodle, Matisse was checked and the vet feels nothing loose there at all. I hope your little one will have an easy time of it too. Just be sure to take a walk or play fetch...something to build up his muscles and connective tissue every day.

 

[~Jessie~]

Rylie has, I believe, grade 4 LP in her left knee... and grade 2 in her right.

She's actually going to be getting surgery this fall since the benefits will make the surgery worth it. There are days when her knee really bothers her and our vet feels surgery will be worth it for her. She still goes on walks and is very active (she's almost 9 years old), but I can tell there are some days that are harder than others.

I give her Glycoflex III every day. I wouldn't have considered surgery if her knee wasn't getting worse as time goes on.

 

[Dr. John]

Patella Luxation

Patella luxations are complicated and decision making on a repair can be a difficult one. Please check out my video discussion on the disease and repair options I offer my clients. Hope this helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEpxzgWh-l0