Hops/Skips When Running...Problem?

[Cirlonde]

I'm not really sure how to describe this issue, but I'm hoping someone here can tell me if this is something I should be concerned about. We've been taking Chloe for regular thirty minute walks at a nearby track lately. She seems to have a blast and has no trouble keeping up with us (ahead of us...) at all.

However, I've noticed that she seems to have an odd gait sometimes. When she hits a certain speed that is faster than a walk but not quite a full out run, she is skipping about every other step with her right rear leg. It's hard to tell because her little feet are moving so quickly, but it looks like that leg is swinging without touching the ground but only on every other step or so. It's almost like she's trying to go back and forth between moving her legs in opposite motions (i.e. like if you make the peace sign with your fingers and then make the walking motion with your fingers) and moving her legs together keeping them parallel (i.e. move both your fingers back and forth in tandem).

I may just be worrying too much...but I thought I'd ask in case this sounded like something I hadn't ever heard of but you guys knew about already. Her yearly vet appointment will be in August, and I plan to mention it to the vet just in case. She doesn't ever act like her leg bothers her and I've checked to make sure she doesn't have a piece of grass stuck to her or something. Also it happens randomly, not just at the end of the walk as if she were getting tired.

Sorry that my description is awfully confusing! I may try to get a video of it.
-C

[Ladymom]

What you describe are classic symptoms of luxating patellas. Yorkies and other toy breed dogs are prone to them.

Medial Luxating Patella

[jencar98]

Skipping is often a sign of LP (luxating patella). But you really need to have her diagnosed by a vet to know for certain.

[Cirlonde]

We will definitely talk to the vet about it. She's only a year old and at her last appointment, they said her knees were good. My poodle had a mild case of LP and this didn't really look the same as his. His knee would come lose for several minutes at a time and he'd hobble around with something very obviously wrong but you could easily pop it back in for him and he was fine. With Chloe, it's a split second thing and she's never acted like it hurts. Also, that site mentions them moving kind of bow legged and Chloe's not at all bow legged. Not sure if that comes after a long time though.

If it is LP, is there anything I can or should be doing to lessen the effects? Is it okay to continue walking her or should we not? Any sort of like at home therapy we can do to strengthen the knee?
Thanks!!
-C

[Mom to Hot Rod]

It sounds as though your little one may have lp. Lp is measure in grades of 1 - 4, 4 being the worse. It is based on the severity and how easily the knee goes back into the groove. Athogh a dog can have a higher grade, it does not necessairly mean he is in pain with the lp.

Some on here have said that their dogs have a grade 3 with no issues at all while others have needed surgery for a grade 3. In my case, Hot Rod went from a grade 1 to a grade 4 in months time and was in pain. Maggie May was just diagnosed with a low grade 2 and I was totally shocked as she's never exhibited any sign of it.

They are both taking supplements for it; we give them Dasuquin. Cosequin is another supplement that you can give. Exercise is good for them. What you want to try and do is lessen the motion of jumping. Stairs and ramps would be good to look into. Is your little showing signs of pain?

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Cirlonde

We will definitely talk to the vet about it. She's only a year old and at her last appointment, they said her knees were good. My poodle had a mild case of LP and this didn't really look the same as his. His knee would come lose for several minutes at a time and he'd hobble around with something very obviously wrong but you could easily pop it back in for him and he was fine. With Chloe, it's a split second thing and she's never acted like it hurts. Also, that site mentions them moving kind of bow legged and Chloe's not at all bow legged. Not sure if that comes after a long time though.

If it is LP, is there anything I can or should be doing to lessen the effects? Is it okay to continue walking her or should we not? Any sort of like at home therapy we can do to strengthen the knee?
Thanks!!
-C

The bow legged comes after time. The dog learns to compensate for slipped kneecaps by altering his gait. This puts an abnormal stress on other joints. Dogs with grade 3-4 LP's often end up with bowed front legs.

LP's themselves usually don't cause pain. It's the arthritis that sets in over time. That's why it's a good idea to use a joint supplement like Cosequin.

I would definitely have your vet check her knees. If they are grade 3-4, I'd get a referral to an orthopedic vet for a second opinion.

[Cirlonde]

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod

They are both taking supplements for it; we give them Dasuquin. Cosequin is another supplement that you can give. Exercise is good for them. What you want to try and do is lessen the motion of jumping. Stairs and ramps would be good to look into. Is your little showing signs of pain?

Chloe doesn't even seem to notice when it happens and she never has any problems at home or exhibits any signs of pain. So hopefully we can start taking steps immediately to limit the effects. Just in my brief reading about surgery, I really don't want to have to go that route!! Sounds awfully risky with limited successes.

We've got pet steps next to our bed and she uses them to go up but won't use them to come down. She does jump onto our recliners so we will probably need to stop that. She doesn't ever have to go up any stairs in or around our home, so no worries there. And we're doing a 30 minute walk every day so hopefully that will give her enough exercise. I'll also see about getting some of the supplements. Any recommendations on a good place to get those?

At least it's not something life threatening but still scary...just don't like to think of anything being wrong with my little baby!! Thanks for all of your advice!
-C

[BellarousasMom]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

The bow legged comes after time. The dog learns to compensate for slipped kneecaps by altering his gait. This puts an abnormal stress on other joints. Dogs with grade 3-4 LP's often end up with bowed front legs.

LP's themselves usually don't cause pain. It's the arthritis that sets in over time. That's why it's a good idea to use a joint supplement like Cosequin.

I would definitely have your vet check her knees. If they are grade 3-4, I'd get a referral to an orthopedic vet for a second opinion.

So starting a joint supplement asap would be a good idea? Bella will be 2 the 25th of this month.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by BellarousasMom

So starting a joint supplement asap would be a good idea? Bella will be 2 the 25th of this month.

If she were mine, I'd take her to my vet now and not wait until her annual check up in August. Depending on what grade he gives her knees, I'd either start conservative treatment, i.e, joint supplement, restricting jumping, etc. or get a referral to an orthopedic vet (grades 3-4).

Surgery is actually quite successful if done early enough. Waiting years can mean limited success or even be too late, depending on how much arthritis has set in.

A member on the Maltese forum I belong to did a "wait and see" on her Maltese's knees per her vet. She never got a second opinion from an ortho vet. At age five, the poor guy is extremely bow legged in the front and in constant pain. At this point she was told he would get only minimal pain relief from surgery so she must rely on pain medications and acupuncture to give him as much quality of life as possible. Obviously, she is very upset that her vet never discussed surgery or referred her to an ortho vet when he was only 2-3 years old.

[HarleyHOO]

You should definitely get her checked by your vet. I was experiencing this with Harley about 3 months ago and she too did not appear to be in any pain. I also had been hearing a noise when she moves or gets up which sounds like a knuckle cracking.

Fast forward to this past weekend. My husband was playing fetch with her and when running down the hall, she starting yelping loudly and began to limp, not using her right hind leg. I took her to the vet yesterday afternoon, and she has grade 4 LP. We now have an appointment scheduled with an orthopedic surgeon for x-rays. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions! It is better safe than sorry. I would talk to your vet.

I hope that she is okay.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by HarleyHOO

You should definitely get her checked by your vet. I was experiencing this with Harley about 3 months ago and she too did not appear to be in any pain. I also had been hearing a noise when she moves or gets up which sounds like a knuckle cracking.

Fast forward to this past weekend. My husband was playing fetch with her and when running down the hall, she starting yelping loudly and began to limp, not using her right hind leg. I took her to the vet yesterday afternoon, and she has grade 4 LP. We now have an appointment scheduled with an orthopedic surgeon for x-rays. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions! It is better safe than sorry. I would talk to your vet.

I hope that she is okay.

Did Harley tear her ACL, too? That's a common injury with dogs with LP's.

[Elle]

Originally Posted by Cirlonde

We will definitely talk to the vet about it. She's only a year old and at her last appointment, they said her knees were good. My poodle had a mild case of LP and this didn't really look the same as his. His knee would come lose for several minutes at a time and he'd hobble around with something very obviously wrong but you could easily pop it back in for him and he was fine. With Chloe, it's a split second thing and she's never acted like it hurts. Also, that site mentions them moving kind of bow legged and Chloe's not at all bow legged. Not sure if that comes after a long time though.

If it is LP, is there anything I can or should be doing to lessen the effects? Is it okay to continue walking her or should we not? Any sort of like at home therapy we can do to strengthen the knee?
Thanks!!
-C

I don't know what she has or what your poodle had. I know what it sounds like to me. One one hand I say don't believe what you read on the internet. It's human instinct nowadays. So, don't believe that information on LP's. I've been through numerous surgeries. It's important to have a great doctor decide what is wrong with her. Then if she needs a surgery, find a great ortho. People like to hear what they what from a vet. A great one will always tell you what is needed.

She is young to have them slipping in this manner. I would not walk her like this. Dogs do not show signs of pain as we expect them too. She could be okay for forever or it may get worst. I'd just let the vet grade it. The may put a watch on it. Maybe not. But you want to know.

If surgery is required, find a great vet. You'll be fine. Lets us know how she is.