Luxating Patella

[knptrc0107]

I am new to this site, and I have a 1 yr old Yorkie female, Sophie. I took her to the vet a few months ago for infectious bronchitis and the vet informed me that she had a "trick knee". I knew immediately that he meant luxating patella and I have seen her trip while running occasionally. Well today I was upstairs and I heard her screaming... I ran down and she seemed to calm when I had her as she always does, but I have no clue what happened to her. I checked for blood, bugs, anything that could have harmed her. The only things I can think of is that she got stuck on something or her knee popped out of place. I am terrified that it will get worse and she will have to have surgery. Can anyone tell me, if you have had an experience with this, what it is like? What happens? How much does the surgery cost and how does it affect the dog? She is fine now, running and playing. She also has severe separation anxiety... when I leave she lays near the door and whimpers and sighs. Anyone else have this issue?

[cally930]

Hi and welcome. First you have to have your vet look at her again and let you know what grade the luxating patella is. If its grade 1 (the lowest) then really you shouldn't have to do anything. But if its higher, I think 3 and higher - it should have to be taken care of surgically. And as for the separation thing - well...........pretty much all yorkies do not like to be left alone. I take mine with me as much as I can. But when I do leave them - they have each other - and it isn't too bad. Hey, you may have to consider getting another one to keep her company when you're gone - LOL!

[ladyjane]

I have pups with luxating patellas and knock wood, not one has needed surgery for this condition.
The only time my vet and the orthopedic surgeon I use recommend surgery is when there are constant problems with limping and/or pain. Many yorkies live with luxating patellas all their lives and do not have issues.
You dont know what happened today and it sounds like she is a bit of a drama queen anyway? I say that because I have one of them. Pups like that often don't need a lot to carry one. If she is not limping or having problems I would not be terribly concerned. LP is VERY common in yorkies!!
As for the surgery, if you ever do contemplate it, I highly recommend that you seek the advice of a board certified surgeon. You can find one in your area at: www.acvs.org but your vet probably could refer you to one. Many pups have this surgery successfully.
Welcome to YT!

[knptrc0107]

She's not a drama queen yet..lol. She has never screamed like that before, I do not know what happened for sure but I can feel her knee popping out of place and I have read that it can be very painful for dogs. Everytime her knee moves, it pops. My vet told me that it is not that bad and hopefully he is right... but I might be looking for a new vet, I am not sure how I feel about this one. I need a vet that has a genuine care for animals and someone who it isn't just a job for... you know?

[Mom to Hot Rod]

My boy Hot Rod went thru lp surgery as his went from a grade 1 to a 3 or 4 in a matter of months. His tendon was on the side of his little leg and it was causing his leg to bow out. He did fine with his surgery and his knee is 100% now. I would definitely seek a board certified surgeon who is familiar with smaller animals. A lot of people agree that if it is not bothering the dog, then the surgery is not necessary, totally up to you and your vet/surgeon. In our case it was necessary because he did not want go for our walks which he loved/loves.

As for the separation anxiety, try leaving the room for very short periods of time (seconds to start off with, increasing it to minutes at a time). Your little one will get used to see you return and hopefully this will help. Also someone suggested putting a seat in front of a window so she can see out when you are not home.

Good luck and let us know how she is doing.

[ladyjane]

Sorry...did not mean to offend little Sophie. Honestly, I have had many with LP and some whose knees popped out but they didn't scream. My guess is something else may have caused that.

I have a couple of pups whose knees pop all of the time...I can feel it when I pick them up; but they have no problems with them.

[Patti]

My Pixie who is 4 1/2 had the LP surgery about 10 weeks ago. I didn't even know she had it. My other 3 do but Pixie's wouldn't stay in after she fell off the bed and she couldn't adjust to it. I had 4 opinions and decided on the surgery. She is doing good now and so far her other knee a grade 2 is holding up. The surgery was 2600.00 including Xrays and the recovery is rough trying to keep them confined for 6 weeks. I have Cali who has grade 4 in both knees and they are permanently out of the socket but she does fine with it and her vet and are taking a wait and see approach. I think in hindsight I would have given Pixie more time to heal and see if she got better. I only waited about 2 1.2 weeks from her fall. I hope Sophie doesn't have any further problems with her knee and can avoid surgery.

[Ladymom]

I would really recommend you ask your vet for a referral to an orthopedic vet for a second opinion. Then you will know what you are dealing with.

[Vinniedoggy]

My understanding is that a luxating patella does not hurt that much, just feels odd. Vinnie has had one for years, although it's a grade 1 (according to my vet) and does not require any intervention. I actually did some unofficial swimming therapy with him and it seemed to help (he didn't pick his back leg up as much after we started doing some exercises in the water). I would get a second opinion but also keep an eye on it. I don't know how long you've had Sophie for, but the longer you have dogs, the more you're able to assess what's "normal" for them and what is not. It's sort of an art form

As for the separation anxiety, are you certain she whines/sighs once you're gone completely? I always thought Vinnie had a bit of separation anxiety, as he would bark and whine the minute I picked up my keys to leave. However, I got a network cam to see what he actually did while I was gone and soon learned that the minute my car was gone, he just curled up and went to sleep.

Nonetheless, try to do some things that can help reduce anxiety, which include (but are not limited to) leaving on a TV/radio, leaving a piece of your dirty clothing around, ensuring that she has a nice comfy bed to sleep in, etc.

[Sammy Mommy]

My boy has luxating patella but I have never heard him yelp or anything with it. Ask your vet to show you how to massage the area and push on the knee. My vet showed me how to do it. Sammy also takes glucosamine chondroiton (Spelling?). He did not like the chewable ones from the vet so my vet said he can take people glucosamine. I got the large tablets and cut them into 4's. He takes it with peanut butter and he is doing so much better. Hope your doggie is better!!!

[107barney]

I concur that a visit to the board certified orthopedist is in order. Please do not do surgery on your dog unless it is a last resort. My dog Daisy has two grade-4 luxating patellas and she had surgery at age 2 on one leg...The other leg has not needed surgery and when it goes "out" we crate rest her with supportive medications. Please try this approach first.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have pups with luxating patellas and knock wood, not one has needed surgery for this condition.
The only time my vet and the orthopedic surgeon I use recommend surgery is when there are constant problems with limping and/or pain. Many yorkies live with luxating patellas all their lives and do not have issues.
You dont know what happened today and it sounds like she is a bit of a drama queen anyway? I say that because I have one of them. Pups like that often don't need a lot to carry one. If she is not limping or having problems I would not be terribly concerned. LP is VERY common in yorkies!!
As for the surgery, if you ever do contemplate it, I highly recommend that you seek the advice of a board certified surgeon. You can find one in your area at: www.acvs.org but your vet probably could refer you to one. Many pups have this surgery successfully.
Welcome to YT!

I agree with ladyjane. Kaji, my sweet baby boy, was diagnosed with grade 3/4 LP's at around 1 year old. So far, in the year I've had him (he's 2 now) I have yet to seen him limp, cry, or in any shape or form act like his LP slows him down. I do keep that in mind, and try to keep him on a good diet and at a good weight. He got chunky and the excess weight was cause his knees to pop in and out A LOT! As long as I keep him at a good weight, and give him supplements, we haven't had a problem. *knocks on wood*

Although, I have read on here of instances where a baby yorkie is diagnosed with grade 1 LP and they refuse to walk. Have your baby checked by an orthopedic vet as mentioned above and then go from there.

[knptrc0107]

Ladyjane: No offense taken at all!! Honestly after I wrote that and I started watching Sophie and thinking about it, She is kind of a drama queen. Lol.

I am pretty sure it wasn't her knee that caused the yelping. She had been chewing a bone and had gone into the kitchen to get something to eat. Nothing has happened since then, so she may have swallowed something wrong or hurt a tooth. She is just fine now so I will just ask my vet about the knee next time we go which is soon for boosters. From what I am seeing in the posts, this seems to be a common problem with Yorkies. I just don't want her to be in pain...

Vinniedoggy: I have a friend who stays with me and she told me that when Sophie sees me leave, she lays by the door and sighs and whimpers. That is the only reason I know she does it. I hate that she does that, it makes me feel so bad. That is a really good idea about leaving clothing for her. I guess the smell will calm her.

Thank you everyone for your advice and well wishes, it is so nice to find dog lovers like me!!

[ladyjane]

hahaha...I think most of them are drama queens.

LP really does not hurt them unless it is really severe. Just make sure to keep her weight under control. Excess weight is hard on their knees. Also, keep jumping to a minimum. I know it is hard to stop them sometimes. It is best to have stairs or ramps to beds and other furniture that they might be getting up on.

Oh...and yes, YT has lots of yorkie lovers and lots of great tips! Welcome again!

[knptrc0107]

Sometimes I think she is underweight... she only weighs 4.5 lbs, but she always wants treats... she is such a stinker... Lol