luxating patella - canine

[FindersKeepers]

I have a 4 year old little dog. Not a working dog per se, but he is my farm buddy and helps herd the horses if needed... those instincts shouldn't have come with his breeding, but he's got them none the less.

I was told before he was even a year old that he has a luxating patella in his left knee. It's pretty significant in the vet's opinion, but said not to worry about it as long as it doesn't seem to bother him. He is sound, but his knee does give out rather often if he tried to balance on that leg alone.

I'm sure we're looking at a knee replacement down the road, but was wondering if there's anything I can do in the meantime to prolong that and keep him comfortable. He gets plenty of exercise at the farm, and we walk at least a mile a day in addition. He's perfect weight for his size also, so not putting extra stress on the joint.

Anyone have experience with this? Maybe a joint supplement to help keep it all moving freely?

[Pancakes]

If it's significant, it needs surgery or else what will happen is the cartilage in his joint will become eroded away and he'll end up with terrible pain and arthritis. It's not really a "knee replacement" surgery as much as it is a surgery to put the patella back in its proper alignment. Get it done now, before the damage is done.

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/patella.htm

A good site to explain things better!

[FindersKeepers]

Interesting read... the vet said she doesn't want to proceed with surgery unless he starts to have problems. He's fine unless he stands on that leg to pee on something high.

Guess I'll have to ask her some more questions...

[Pancakes]

Interesting read... the vet said she doesn't want to proceed with surgery unless he starts to have problems. He's fine unless he stands on that leg to pee on something high.

Guess I'll have to ask her some more questions...

Well, it does depend on the grade of the luxation; if it's an occasional popping out, then maybe it's not necessary right now. But you can imagine the damage done to the articular surface of the joint each time the patella dislocates... ow!

And I really feel the earlier you get it done, if you can afford it, the better the prognosis in terms of joint integrity.

Asking questions is good! :)

[Bluey]

I would say it depends on the dog and what it's joints look like.

We had a toy poodle that the vet could move both legs out of the joint at six weeks old and could all her 13 1/2 years, that never took a lame step and never needed anything, died of liver failure in old age.

From the time she was a puppy, the vet kept saying one of those days we will need to do something, but we will know, as she will either yelp or limp.
She was an obedience and tracking dog, along with a ranch dog, she thought.
When we started tracking, she was better than a rottie and dobie she was tracking with, although she did highcenter on the larger cow chips.;)

I think that you need to see what your vet tells you and go from that.

[Pancakes]

I would say it depends on the dog and what it's joints look like.

We had a toy poodle that the vet could move both legs out of the joint at six weeks old and could all her 13 1/2 years, that never took a lame step and never needed anything, died of liver failure in old age.

From the time she was a puppy, the vet kept saying one of those days we will need to do something, but we will know, as she will either yelp or limp.
She was an obedience and tracking dog, along with a ranch dog, she thought.
When we started tracking, she was better than a rottie and dobie she was tracking with, although she did highcenter on the larger cow chips.;)

I think that you need to see what your vet tells you and go from that.

If the vet can move them out and then they go back, it is much less significant and less severe than if they go out on their own and go back. I would say surgery is indicated if they go out on their own.

[FindersKeepers]

He's a poodle/maltese mix.

The vet can pop it in and out, but doesn't think surgery is warranted yet. I should have added that he has trouble with anasthesia and medication in general...most everything sends him into liver failure. I guess in her opinion the risks outweight the benefit. Everytime he's in there (we were just there today for something unrelated which got me thinking about this) she said what she always says... that its still popping right out, and he'll likely need surgical intervention in the future, but not yet.

He doesn't have any trouble running around or playing, but when he stands on just that back leg to pee, he dos sometimes buckle a little and catch himself.

Thanks for the read though pancakes. I didn't understand what it really was until I read that, so now at least I know what's going on in there!