Luxating patella - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LorraineW22 · 07-14-2009, 07:50 PM

Has anyone experienced luxating patella with their yorkie? We found out when he was about 7 months old that he had it in his left knee. We took him to 2 orthopedic specialists and they both said it would be best to correct it while he was young. He was limping but the breeder said she didn't think he was in pain since he runs around but he kept "hitching" up that leg when he ran. She offered to take him back and give us another one but how could I part with my precious guy after I'd had him for 3 months. She is a very reputable breeder and she said none of her dogs had this and he was checked before I got him. We were/are very careful not to let him jump down from furniture because we know how fragile their legs are. The surgeon said it could have been genetic way back somewhere in his family tree. He still hitches that leg up when he runs but the xrays show that the patella is back in place and perfect. Now his regular vet tells me the knee on right leg is luxating but he hasn't been limping on that one. Any one with experiences? Thanks

kokomoka · 07-14-2009, 07:59 PM

Both of my dogs have luxating patellas. It is very common in small breeds. I've taken my oldest dog to the vet and he says to not get surgery yet until she is in pain. Both of my Yorkies are jumpers and there really isn't a way for me to stop both of them from jumping. When I pick my dogs up, I can actually feel their patella's pop in and out of place. I have gone to several vets and the one I have been going to is the one I really trust. He says over time, luxating patella's can cause arthritis, and once it sets in, that's the time to get surgery. If your dog is not in pain, why do surgery just yet?

Ladymom · 07-14-2009, 08:34 PM

Luxating patellas can be genetic or from traumatic injury from jumping on and off furniture, etc. The general cut off is one year. Since your Yorkie was diagnosed at seven months, most likely it is genetic.

Listen the the orthopedic vets and get the surgery done sooner rather than later. Dogs with LP's have to compensate for them in their gait which put stress on other joints and leads to debilitating arthritic changes.

LP's usually aren't painful unless they are out of place. It's the arthritis that causes the pain and if you wait for that, surgery may not be as successful or even possible at that point. We have a member on another forum with a five year old Maltese who has extremely bowed front legs from undiagnosed LP's. She has been told it is too late for surgery and this young dog must live with crippling arthritic pain for the rest of his life.

capt_noonie · 07-14-2009, 08:45 PM

Uni was recently diagnosed with grade 3. After some reading and research I think it is grade 2. Either way, I have started her on Cosequin (glucosamine) supplements. Here are some threads that may help you out, so you don't have to search like crazy for some info:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...p-surgery.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...stage-3-a.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-cosequin.html

Mom to Hot Rod · 07-14-2009, 09:26 PM

we went thru lp surgery in recent months. I can say that I am glad we did it. We didn't have much time to think about it as within a weeks time he'd been operated on! I would say if the ortho surgeon (qualified) says he feels surgery would be the route and that he would all the better down the road, I would take a serious look at it. Arthritis is something that can be harsh and if it can be prevented, then it something to take into consideration. It was a shock to find out and go thru the surgery and the recovery period was very difficult, as you feel so bad for your baby having to be quiet for 6 weeks but the final goal is what matters. Hot Rod is doing well and I am glad we did it but it was a very long 6 weeks. Good luck with your decision. feel free to pm with questions. Hugs to you andyour baby.

Tobys Mama · 07-15-2009, 04:35 AM

Toby was diagnosed with grade 2. However, I think it is only grade 1. He has only had an episode about 3 or 4 times and he is a little over 1 1/2. It lasts for a couple of minutes and then he is back to his rambunctious self. Our vet recommended Glucosamine too. I should have asked more questions, but I am now wondering how much do you give them and is there a particular brand that is best? They said that you can get it at a pet store or simply give them a pet dosage of what a human would take. Does this sound right?

Ladymom · 07-15-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobys Mama

Toby was diagnosed with grade 2. However, I think it is only grade 1. He has only had an episode about 3 or 4 times and he is a little over 1 1/2. It lasts for a couple of minutes and then he is back to his rambunctious self. Our vet recommended Glucosamine too. I should have asked more questions, but I am now wondering how much do you give them and is there a particular brand that is best? They said that you can get it at a pet store or simply give them a pet dosage of what a human would take. Does this sound right?

Cosequin regular strength is the right dosage for toy breeds. It's one of, if not the best, brands out there. Lady gets a capsule every day. The dosage is on the bottle.

I get it at Entirely Pets:

Cosequin Regular Strength (90 capsules)

TLC · 07-15-2009, 06:27 AM

Ahhh...I am so sorry....

Roxy was dx at 9 months too - both legs

Her breeder said the same thing "none of hers every had it" - meanwhile, I have come across 4 more pups from her that do

Anyway, when Roxy started to carry her leg and limp we knew it was time for surgery. She had both legs done at the same time. Well worth it

I wouldn't return him though, LP is not a death sentence.

Roxy also gets Cosiquin every day

What is your health guarantee from the breeder? Will she refund you his cost to put towards his surgery fee

Tobys Mama · 07-15-2009, 06:28 AM

Thank you so much for your help!

John Stelting · 07-15-2009, 06:58 AM

My 1 year old boy, Bently has LP. Vet said stage 2, no surgery necessary until stage 4 or 5.

I started walking him more and gave him Zukes Hip Action ®
Dog Treats with Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Each dog treat contains 300 mg glucosamine and 50 mg chondroitin
Easy to feed your dog – no messy pills or powders
Contains essential cofactor vitamins and minerals that aid in absorption
Made in the USA Wheat, corn and soy free

Got it at a pet store and within a week his LP seemed to go away.

I haven't seen his knee lock up one time since I started giving him this.

But listen to your vet as each case is different.

Good luck.

dwerten · 07-15-2009, 08:11 AM

i only recommend surgery when they hold the leg up as that is a sign of pain so if holding leg up all the time i would do the surgery with an orthopedic surgeon that is board certified as all surgeons are not board certified. It is a tough surgery but many do well afterwards. If the dog was not holding leg up i do not recommend surgery as many toy breeds do fine with LP

Wylie's Mom · 07-15-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwerten

i only recommend surgery when they hold the leg up as that is a sign of pain so if holding leg up all the time i would do the surgery with an orthopedic surgeon that is board certified as all surgeons are not board certified. It is a tough surgery but many do well afterwards. If the dog was not holding leg up i do not recommend surgery as many toy breeds do fine with LP

This is kinda where I'm at too, right now. Wylie has had Grade 2 LP for about 3 yrs now - but has never, ever shown a single symptom. He gets Cosequin, of course. And until he worsens, shows symptoms - AND until his Atyipcal Cushing's is firmly in hand, there is no way I'd consider surgery.

Marcel was just recently Dx w/ Grade 1 in his R knee - so now he gets Cosequin too.

My house is a Pharmacy, at present.

dwerten · 07-15-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

This is kinda where I'm at too, right now. Wylie has had Grade 2 LP for about 3 yrs now - but has never, ever shown a single symptom. He gets Cosequin, of course. And until he worsens, shows symptoms - AND until his Atyipcal Cushing's is firmly in hand, there is no way I'd consider surgery.

Marcel was just recently Dx w/ Grade 1 in his R knee - so now he gets Cosequin too.

My house is a Pharmacy, at present.

yep dd hurt her leg on doggie stairs in february and we had xray and she is grade 4 in both back legs and patella is permanently cemented out - she has played frisbee 3 hrs an night for 5 years no issues with lifting until she hurt her leg jumping off doggie stairs wrong after a toy

she lifted her leg the first two days - well she got sick on metacam took me two months to get her right as it went into colitis, then she got hives from simplicef for staph so no way am i putting a dog through acl surgery that cannot tolerate nsaids or antibiotics - she does not lift leg but slow to get up at times and i think she either ruptured or tore acl which does not show up on xray and mri hard to read for little dogs so waste our friend who is a radiologist told us. I talked to orthopedic and he said 80% of small dogs will scar tissue and creat that tendon so if she is not lifting leg then leave it alone and rest her. No more frisbee and that is breaking our hearts as she loved to play frisbee. It was her one joy with all her health issues. This poor girl has everything wrong with her - hypothyroid, mvd, atopic dermatitis, LP4 and now possible acl issue - breaks my heart and only 5. The grade 4 is wierd as the patella does not luxate at all and the dog compromises with front two legs as they bow out like a bull dog when bending down. I think the stage 3 is more critical where it is luxating back and forth and getting stuck and the dog yelps and holds leg up so if this happened all the time then surgery is an option in my eyes otherwise let it be. Arthritis will happen if you do surgery or you do not so that is not something you will eliminate and with surgery there is always risk so make sure you think long and hard before going through it but obviously if dog is in pain you have to do something.

LorraineW22 · 07-15-2009, 11:17 AM

The vets all told me he must be in pain because he limps (hitches up the leg) but he runs all over and I wouldn't think he is in pain. The ortho. vet charged $2,000. and the breeder paid $1,200. and we paid the rest. I was thankful she helped and that made me know she is reputable.

LorraineW22 · 07-15-2009, 11:19 AM

another note - - the breeder said to: not let anyone pop the patella in and out manually.

07-14-2009, 07:50 PM	#1
LorraineW22 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 130	Luxating patella Has anyone experienced luxating patella with their yorkie? We found out when he was about 7 months old that he had it in his left knee. We took him to 2 orthopedic specialists and they both said it would be best to correct it while he was young. He was limping but the breeder said she didn't think he was in pain since he runs around but he kept "hitching" up that leg when he ran. She offered to take him back and give us another one but how could I part with my precious guy after I'd had him for 3 months. She is a very reputable breeder and she said none of her dogs had this and he was checked before I got him. We were/are very careful not to let him jump down from furniture because we know how fragile their legs are. The surgeon said it could have been genetic way back somewhere in his family tree. He still hitches that leg up when he runs but the xrays show that the patella is back in place and perfect. Now his regular vet tells me the knee on right leg is luxating but he hasn't been limping on that one. Any one with experiences? Thanks __________________ lorraine & Brady, ::]l Corky 5/26/1994 -1/5/2007- R.I.P.

07-14-2009, 08:34 PM	#3
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Luxating patellas can be genetic or from traumatic injury from jumping on and off furniture, etc. The general cut off is one year. Since your Yorkie was diagnosed at seven months, most likely it is genetic. Listen the the orthopedic vets and get the surgery done sooner rather than later. Dogs with LP's have to compensate for them in their gait which put stress on other joints and leads to debilitating arthritic changes. LP's usually aren't painful unless they are out of place. It's the arthritis that causes the pain and if you wait for that, surgery may not be as successful or even possible at that point. We have a member on another forum with a five year old Maltese who has extremely bowed front legs from undiagnosed LP's. She has been told it is too late for surgery and this young dog must live with crippling arthritic pain for the rest of his life. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

07-14-2009, 08:45 PM	#4
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Uni was recently diagnosed with grade 3. After some reading and research I think it is grade 2. Either way, I have started her on Cosequin (glucosamine) supplements. Here are some threads that may help you out, so you don't have to search like crazy for some info: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...p-surgery.html http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...stage-3-a.html http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-cosequin.html __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

07-14-2009, 09:26 PM	#5
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	we went thru lp surgery in recent months. I can say that I am glad we did it. We didn't have much time to think about it as within a weeks time he'd been operated on! I would say if the ortho surgeon (qualified) says he feels surgery would be the route and that he would all the better down the road, I would take a serious look at it. Arthritis is something that can be harsh and if it can be prevented, then it something to take into consideration. It was a shock to find out and go thru the surgery and the recovery period was very difficult, as you feel so bad for your baby having to be quiet for 6 weeks but the final goal is what matters. Hot Rod is doing well and I am glad we did it but it was a very long 6 weeks. Good luck with your decision. feel free to pm with questions. Hugs to you andyour baby. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

07-15-2009, 04:35 AM	#6
Tobys Mama Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York Posts: 21	Toby was diagnosed with grade 2. However, I think it is only grade 1. He has only had an episode about 3 or 4 times and he is a little over 1 1/2. It lasts for a couple of minutes and then he is back to his rambunctious self. Our vet recommended Glucosamine too. I should have asked more questions, but I am now wondering how much do you give them and is there a particular brand that is best? They said that you can get it at a pet store or simply give them a pet dosage of what a human would take. Does this sound right? __________________ ~ Kelly & Toby

07-14-2009, 07:59 PM	#2
kokomoka YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA Posts: 6	Both of my dogs have luxating patellas. It is very common in small breeds. I've taken my oldest dog to the vet and he says to not get surgery yet until she is in pain. Both of my Yorkies are jumpers and there really isn't a way for me to stop both of them from jumping. When I pick my dogs up, I can actually feel their patella's pop in and out of place. I have gone to several vets and the one I have been going to is the one I really trust. He says over time, luxating patella's can cause arthritis, and once it sets in, that's the time to get surgery. If your dog is not in pain, why do surgery just yet?

07-15-2009, 06:27 AM	#8
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	Ahhh...I am so sorry.... Roxy was dx at 9 months too - both legs Her breeder said the same thing "none of hers every had it" - meanwhile, I have come across 4 more pups from her that do Anyway, when Roxy started to carry her leg and limp we knew it was time for surgery. She had both legs done at the same time. Well worth it I wouldn't return him though, LP is not a death sentence. Roxy also gets Cosiquin every day What is your health guarantee from the breeder? Will she refund you his cost to put towards his surgery fee __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

07-15-2009, 06:28 AM	#9
Tobys Mama Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York Posts: 21	Thank you so much for your help! __________________ ~ Kelly & Toby

07-15-2009, 06:58 AM	#10
John Stelting YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: colorado springs, co, usa Posts: 380	LP treatments My 1 year old boy, Bently has LP. Vet said stage 2, no surgery necessary until stage 4 or 5. I started walking him more and gave him Zukes Hip Action ® Dog Treats with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Each dog treat contains 300 mg glucosamine and 50 mg chondroitin Easy to feed your dog – no messy pills or powders Contains essential cofactor vitamins and minerals that aid in absorption Made in the USA Wheat, corn and soy free Got it at a pet store and within a week his LP seemed to go away. I haven't seen his knee lock up one time since I started giving him this. But listen to your vet as each case is different. Good luck.

07-15-2009, 08:11 AM	#11
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	i only recommend surgery when they hold the leg up as that is a sign of pain so if holding leg up all the time i would do the surgery with an orthopedic surgeon that is board certified as all surgeons are not board certified. It is a tough surgery but many do well afterwards. If the dog was not holding leg up i do not recommend surgery as many toy breeds do fine with LP

07-15-2009, 11:17 AM	#14
LorraineW22 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 130	The vets all told me he must be in pain because he limps (hitches up the leg) but he runs all over and I wouldn't think he is in pain. The ortho. vet charged $2,000. and the breeder paid $1,200. and we paid the rest. I was thankful she helped and that made me know she is reputable. __________________ lorraine & Brady, ::]l Corky 5/26/1994 -1/5/2007- R.I.P.

07-15-2009, 11:19 AM	#15
LorraineW22 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 130	another note - - the breeder said to: not let anyone pop the patella in and out manually. __________________ lorraine & Brady, ::]l Corky 5/26/1994 -1/5/2007- R.I.P.