Mia has luxating patella :'(

[BrittanyVThomas]

So Mia went to the vet today to get her baby canines pulled and to check her legs because I've been suspecting she may have luxating patella. They did xrays and determined that she does have it in both knees. He didn't say which type but he did say she will require surgery at some point, preferably after she is 1 year old. She is almost 10 months right now. Since day 1, Mia has been a crazy jumper. Unfortunately, she has jumped off my bed many times even though I try not to let her. She is not allowed on the bed anymore because I could not control her jumping off. I am saddened by this news. I will probably go to an ortho surgeon for the surgery and a second opinion once she is a bit older. I would like to start her on some vitamins that will help her joints. Does anyone have recommendations on a good vitamin for her? Thanks :-)

[Lovetodream88]

I would not even think about surgery unless she is having pain. Some dogs have LP and even have the highest grade but never need surgery because it never bothers the dog at all.

[maggiesmom_2007]

I think you are taking the right course of action in waiting and getting a second opinion. It disturbs me just a little that your vet didn't tell you what grade the LP is. My friend had Abbie and her other girl Pia done last year at 2 yrs Abbie was 0 and 1. She jumps alot. Her nickname her is pogo stick. My vet recommended a supplement called phytoflex. it's made by natures pharmacy. She has been on it for a year and is still my pogo stick but her numbers have not changed so I believe it is helping . So far everyone else has 0 in both knees.

[BrittanyVThomas]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

I think you are taking the right course of action in waiting and getting a second opinion. It disturbs me just a little that your vet didn't tell you what grade the LP is. My friend had Abbie and her other girl Pia done last year at 2 yrs Abbie was 0 and 1. She jumps alot. Her nickname her is pogo stick. My vet recommended a supplement called phytoflex. it's made by natures pharmacy. She has been on it for a year and is still my pogo stick but her numbers have not changed so I believe it is helping . So far everyone else has 0 in both knees.

Yea he said since she is still growing we will have to wait and see if surgery will be the best option. She isn't in any pain which is good but I know this typically gets worst if left alone. I will only do surgery if its painful and/or affecting her way of life. Is the phytoflex safe for puppies? Thanks for the input! You wouldn't know she has LP by looking at her but of course I know it's there so I watch her like a hawk!

[joyce evans]

Is she lifting her hind leg when she moves around?

[joyce evans]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I would not even think about surgery unless she is having pain. Some dogs have LP and even have the highest grade but never need surgery because it never bothers the dog at all.

If one has LP and often lifts its hind leg when moving around but then resumes walking and running as normal do you think they are having a lot of pain? I'm taking Hannah to see someone for her teeth and her gimping on her left hind leg. I'm not sure if I should start with my vet or go straight to a surgeon? My reg. vet is not a small animal specialist and not sure of she is a OS. Spay is in the equation as well because Hannah is 8 mos. old now and I do not plan on breeding her. She is active and happy and doesn't appear to be in any pain to me but when she raises her leg I wonder.

[OwnedByJezebel]

With all my toy dogs (most of which had LP to some degree), I only have had one that had to have surgery, and that was because she tore a ligament as well. Otherwise, if it isn't bothering, you don't need surgery. Just try to prevent jumping.

Also, with the ones that were diagnosed with LP, it was done by manually manipulating the knee -- not by xray. I have no idea why your vet declared LP on the basis of an xray. All they had to do was a simple manipulation to see if the patella would move over and pop back into place.

Even with my Jezebel that tore her ligament this past spring and had to have surgery, the ortho did a manipulation on both patellas and graded the LP @ grade II. Then he did a different manipulation on the injured knee joint to see if it moved a certain way to indicate a torn ligament. After that, the xray, which still won't show the torn ligament, but it did show that the bones below the joint were shifted over, and not lined up correctly, which did indicate -- along with the way that the knee moved when he manipulated it -- that the ligament was torn.

I can't imagine that an xray would show LP unless is was of a high grade and the patella was not able to pop back into place? And in that case, the dog wouldn't be able to walk? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I think you are SO right to get a second opinion from an ortho specialist.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Here is the write up I found for the phytoflex.


Phyto-Flex is a dog supplement full of Phyto nutrients, Herbs, Digestive enzymes and Direct fed microbials. Dogs thrive on this supplement with better bones, joints and soft tissue support. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals and glucosamine. Your dog will have less injuries with stronger soft tissue and stronger joints from the glucosamine derived from New Zealand Green Shell Mussel powder.

Directions:

For the daily supplementation of canine diets, top dress daily on food or mix in or feed directly to dogs and puppies at the following daily rates:

Toy breeds ½ scoop;
Small breed (15 to 30 lb) 1 to 1.5 scoop;
Medium breed (30-50 lb) 1.5 to 2 scoops;
Large breed (50-100 lb) 2 to 2.5 scoop;
Giant breed 2.5 to 3 scoops.
Feed at higher rate during times of stress.
Guaranteed Analysis:


Crude protein 7.0%; Crude fat 3.5%; Crude Fiber, max 5.0%, Calcium, min. 3.50%, Calcium, max. 4.50%, Phosphorus, min.2.50%; Magnesium, min. 0.44%, Manganese, min.1000 ppm; Zinc, min. added 40 ppm; Potassium, min. 2.50%; Glucosamine Sulfate 25 mg/gm; Perna Mussel (New Zealand Green Shell Mussel) 50 mg/gm; Vitamin C 10mg/gm; Lipase 2,250 ug Fatty Acids liberated per minute per gram; Protease 7,500 ug protein hydrolyzed per minute per gram; Total Microbial count; 225 million colony forming units/gram (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis)

Size: 1lb.

Ingredients: Kelp Meal, Ground Whole flax seed, DiCalcium Phosphate, Yeast culture, New Zealand Green Shell Mussel, Potassium chloride, chicory Extract, Spirulina, Barley Grass Powder, Carrots, Parsley Powder, Yucca Schidigera, Hypoallergenic Wheat Powder, Garlic Powder, Licorice, Anise Seed, Milk thistle, Fennel Seed, Glucosamine Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Saccharomyes Cerevisiae, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Calcium Carbonate, iron Proteinate, Dried Aspergillus Niger fermentation extract, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentaiton Extract, Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate and Dried Fermentation Products of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis.

[joyce evans]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

Here is the write up I found for the phytoflex.


Phyto-Flex is a dog supplement full of Phyto nutrients, Herbs, Digestive enzymes and Direct fed microbials. Dogs thrive on this supplement with better bones, joints and soft tissue support. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals and glucosamine. Your dog will have less injuries with stronger soft tissue and stronger joints from the glucosamine derived from New Zealand Green Shell Mussel powder.

Directions:

For the daily supplementation of canine diets, top dress daily on food or mix in or feed directly to dogs and puppies at the following daily rates:

Toy breeds ½ scoop;
Small breed (15 to 30 lb) 1 to 1.5 scoop;
Medium breed (30-50 lb) 1.5 to 2 scoops;
Large breed (50-100 lb) 2 to 2.5 scoop;
Giant breed 2.5 to 3 scoops.
Feed at higher rate during times of stress.
Guaranteed Analysis:


Crude protein 7.0%; Crude fat 3.5%; Crude Fiber, max 5.0%, Calcium, min. 3.50%, Calcium, max. 4.50%, Phosphorus, min.2.50%; Magnesium, min. 0.44%, Manganese, min.1000 ppm; Zinc, min. added 40 ppm; Potassium, min. 2.50%; Glucosamine Sulfate 25 mg/gm; Perna Mussel (New Zealand Green Shell Mussel) 50 mg/gm; Vitamin C 10mg/gm; Lipase 2,250 ug Fatty Acids liberated per minute per gram; Protease 7,500 ug protein hydrolyzed per minute per gram; Total Microbial count; 225 million colony forming units/gram (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis)

Size: 1lb.

Ingredients: Kelp Meal, Ground Whole flax seed, DiCalcium Phosphate, Yeast culture, New Zealand Green Shell Mussel, Potassium chloride, chicory Extract, Spirulina, Barley Grass Powder, Carrots, Parsley Powder, Yucca Schidigera, Hypoallergenic Wheat Powder, Garlic Powder, Licorice, Anise Seed, Milk thistle, Fennel Seed, Glucosamine Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Saccharomyes Cerevisiae, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Calcium Carbonate, iron Proteinate, Dried Aspergillus Niger fermentation extract, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentaiton Extract, Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate and Dried Fermentation Products of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis.

I was just trying to look this up on-line. Trying to find out where to purchase it??

[BrittanyVThomas]

I just bought the phyto flex online. I think she may be experiencing occasional pain. Tonight and last night every time she lays down she whimpers/crys for probably half a second. I'm not sure if she is in pain due to her getting her teeth pulled or because of her knees. I've limited her activity quite a bit. When she's up walking around everything is good. It's only when she goes to lay down when she whimpers :-(

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by joyce evans

If one has LP and often lifts its hind leg when moving around but then resumes walking and running as normal do you think they are having a lot of pain? I'm taking Hannah to see someone for her teeth and her gimping on her left hind leg. I'm not sure if I should start with my vet or go straight to a surgeon? My reg. vet is not a small animal specialist and not sure of she is a OS. Spay is in the equation as well because Hannah is 8 mos. old now and I do not plan on breeding her. She is active and happy and doesn't appear to be in any pain to me but when she raises her leg I wonder.

It would think it was painful. Your vet can tell you if its LP but do not let a regular vet do LP surgery you would need and orthopedic specialist for that.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BrittanyVThomas

I just bought the phyto flex online. I think she may be experiencing occasional pain. Tonight and last night every time she lays down she whimpers/crys for probably half a second. I'm not sure if she is in pain due to her getting her teeth pulled or because of her knees. I've limited her activity quite a bit. When she's up walking around everything is good. It's only when she goes to lay down when she whimpers :-(

Might want to have a orthopedic surgeon take a look

[Lovetodream88]

My orthopedic surgeon recommended Dasuquin and they have it in chews so it works great for us.

[BrittanyVThomas]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

My orthopedic surgeon recommended Dasuquin and they have it in chews so it works great for us.

Thanks! I plan on seeing a specialist soon. There are a lot where I live due to the vet school.

[patbaret]

Just need to find out if anyone has used it for there yorkie.
My little one 9.5lb 7 y/0 pulled something in her leg and not using it. Pulls it up and walks on 3 legs. He gave me a phone number of a ortho vet he uses. My girlfriend who has 2 4lb yorkie told me not to see the orthopedic and to start glucosemine and bed rest. It's only been a few days and bought a large crate but not sure about what brand and how much glucosemine. I cannot tell you hard it is to make the right decision when your yorkie is hurt. Vet says not a lot of play in the knee but she does put her leg down. He gave me tramadol and rimady. Stopped both of them when she wouldn't eat.
Please let me know if anyone uses the glucosemine and any info on her condition. Thanks