Luxating Patella...

alphadoginthehouse · 06-13-2009, 03:52 PM

The vet told me today that Roxxy's left knee is luxating. She has shown no evidence (to me) that she is having any problems. I've never heard her yelp much less limp or come up lame. This is the first time he has noticed it (this was her annual visit). Depending on what I have her in for, sometimes he checks her all over, so this is something that has come up in the last 12 mos (or less).

The vet said to keep an eye on it (since it doesn't appear to bother her) but just how concerned should I really be? She jumps some but not nearly as much as Butch. Most of hers is jumping up on the bed.

One of Butch's knees is the same way but his was due to an injury. It scares me to death the way he jumps up and down like a pogo stick!

I watch him like a hawk!

Thanks for any tips y'all.

Cracker · 06-14-2009, 04:46 PM

Luxating patella is not uncommon in small breed dogs. It means the groove in the knee joint that the kneecap (patella) runs up and down in is either too shallow/wide and/or that the muscles and ligaments surrounding the knee are not fully developed. The patella then, rather than sliding up and down in a straight line will often shift to the side or even slip out of the groove altogether.
Many dogs you can not tell without manipulating the knee on exam, some will show a bit of a "skip" in their walking mannerisms..this is usually their way of putting the patella back in place. The problem, if it is severe, is that it can create problems long term, like weakened knee joints or osteoarthritis from the friction.
If it's not bothering him I wouldn't worry, but would certainly keep an eye out that he gets proper exercise and that you watch for discomfort long term. In severe cases surgical intervention is curative.

alphadoginthehouse · 06-14-2009, 05:09 PM

Butch hurt his leg and I thought he was going to have to have surgery for the LP, but luckily, he hasn't had any further problems. I do watch him and I cringe every time he jumps up and down, which is ALL the time.

This is the first time the vet noticed it on exam on Roxxy...he was a bit surprised himself. Hopefully, neither one of them will develop anything too severe [keeping fingers crossed].

Dozi · 06-14-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadoginthehouse

The vet told me today that Roxxy's left knee is luxating. She has shown no evidence (to me) that she is having any problems. I've never heard her yelp much less limp or come up lame. This is the first time he has noticed it (this was her annual visit). Depending on what I have her in for, sometimes he checks her all over, so this is something that has come up in the last 12 mos (or less).

The vet said to keep an eye on it (since it doesn't appear to bother her) but just how concerned should I really be? She jumps some but not nearly as much as Butch. Most of hers is jumping up on the bed.

One of Butch's knees is the same way but his was due to an injury. It scares me to death the way he jumps up and down like a pogo stick!

I watch him like a hawk!

Thanks for any tips y'all.

There are 4 degrees of luxating patellas... you only have to have surgery at level 4. So if you're not noticing any problems, I wouldn't worry about it.

Some vets overreact (or just want to make money) and wanting to do surgery on it. If it ever becomes a problem or you realize that something is wrong - go and see a specialist... they will be able to tell you whether you really need to do surgery or not... and whether the surgery will make a difference (cause sometimes it doesn't)