LP symptoms/questions

[Princess10]

So the vet told me a few weeks ago Princess had slight LP in her back knee. Tonight I took her to "Grandma's" house & she was playing with 2 JR's & a rat terrier. She & the RT are bff's (he wishes more) & they play hard. Lot's of chasing, running & a little wrestling. Well Princess got especially wound up tonight like I've never seen her. We were all talking & she jumped on then off my mom like super fast. As soon as I started to redirect her she did it again but she landed funny, I could tell by the look on her face & posture. She came right to me when I called her & was favoring her left hind leg. She laid next to me then I held her to feel her out.

Honestly, I guess I'm an idiot because I don't even know exactly where her knee is, I'm guessing at the joint but it goes backwards kind of indented in? Well if that's it then that's what was hurting her. Right in the middle. I could not find any other 'piece' that would be the knee cap. I tried to massage it without causing pain & just babied her. I thought my mom was going to have to take her to the vet tomorrow at the latest (I can't miss work).

She seemed better after a bit & I got her to walk some for a treat to put it back in place if it was the LP. She laid some more & tried to play but I put the kabosh on that. Maybe it was just pulled or something?

Novel, sorry, so could that have been her LP? What am I supposed to do for her when this happens? When should I call the vet? I'd like to see if they will just show me what to do on Monday, if maybe I could slide it back into place?

I don't like how this was just discovered through exam a couple weeks ago & it's already showing up. Don't laugh at my ignorance, I'd just really like to know so I can help her!

[concretegurl]

No idea, but I'm sorry hope someone can help. I'm quite curious myself now.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Mikki has LP in both of her back knees. Hers is a grade 4 if I remember correctly. When he talked to me about it, the vet did not show me how to put them back. I did watch him and he was trying to do it himself. So, I assume it can be done. Mikki don't show symptoms that she has the LP. The only time we know it is when she has been playing and running a lot. After that, she has to "rest" her legs. The vet did tell me it is very common in Yorkies and said it was genetic. I know that we were also told to limit the jumping. I have stairs for Mikki and try to pick her up when she wants up on the chair or couch. I think it could have possibly been the LP with Princess. However, I would contact my vet for sure on Monday. I would also ask about putting the knee cap back in place then. Your vet will be able to advise you on the right thing to do. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Princess10]

Thanks for responding, I'm def going to call Monday. When they just said she had it she said it was only a 1, barely noticeable. I've never noticed it so I hope that doesn't mean it's getting worse.

She is such a jumper, too. I've been trying to stop it but it is very hard. She pogo's every time she gets excited so I'm trying to train her to sit & stay instead. At my parent's although she wanted to play again when I told her no she just laid down. Completely unheard of over there!

I'll let you know what we find out.

[RileyDC]

Riley's vet said he has very slight LP in both knees.....

He said Not to Downplay it but that it is fairly common in a
lot of small breeds...and that most of them live fine with it.
I have never noticed Riley limping or favoring either knee or
anything... I do have stairs for him to limit jumping. And
Weight plays a Huge factor..... which is one of the reasons I
switched Riley's food and am taking him on more walks....
he needs to lose 1 pound..... probably a little less than that, now...

Hope this helps!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by RileyDC

Riley's vet said he has very slight LP in both knees.....

He said Not to Downplay it but that it is fairly common in a
lot of small breeds...and that most of them live fine with it.
I have never noticed Riley limping or favoring either knee or
anything... I do have stairs for him to limit jumping. And
Weight plays a Huge factor..... which is one of the reasons I
switched Riley's food and am taking him on more walks....
he needs to lose 1 pound..... probably a little less than that, now...

Hope this helps!

I forgot about weight. Yes, that was mentioned by my vet as well.

[Princess10]

She was back up to her post-spay weight (8lbs. even) at her last exam, but she weighed 6.9# forever prior to that so I don't know if that's what she should be or what. She just seems solid, still feels like they say, ribs, tucks, etc. I'll ask her if I should take her weight down.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Princess10

So the vet told me a few weeks ago Princess had slight LP in her back knee. Tonight I took her to "Grandma's" house & she was playing with 2 JR's & a rat terrier. She & the RT are bff's (he wishes more) & they play hard. Lot's of chasing, running & a little wrestling. Well Princess got especially wound up tonight like I've never seen her. We were all talking & she jumped on then off my mom like super fast. As soon as I started to redirect her she did it again but she landed funny, I could tell by the look on her face & posture. She came right to me when I called her & was favoring her left hind leg. She laid next to me then I held her to feel her out.

Honestly, I guess I'm an idiot because I don't even know exactly where her knee is, I'm guessing at the joint but it goes backwards kind of indented in? Well if that's it then that's what was hurting her. Right in the middle. I could not find any other 'piece' that would be the knee cap. I tried to massage it without causing pain & just babied her. I thought my mom was going to have to take her to the vet tomorrow at the latest (I can't miss work).

She seemed better after a bit & I got her to walk some for a treat to put it back in place if it was the LP. She laid some more & tried to play but I put the kabosh on that. Maybe it was just pulled or something?

Novel, sorry, so could that have been her LP? What am I supposed to do for her when this happens? When should I call the vet? I'd like to see if they will just show me what to do on Monday, if maybe I could slide it back into place?

I don't like how this was just discovered through exam a couple weeks ago & it's already showing up. Don't laugh at my ignorance, I'd just really like to know so I can help her!

Dogs and cats knees do not bend backwards like some people think. The backwards joint with the indention you are feeling is her ankle. Dogs and cats walk on their tip toes, so if you start at the pads, those are the toes. Go up a joint, that is the ankle. Go up one more, that is the knee. It bend just like ours. The knee cap is *tiny*! Go up one more and that is where the femur connects to the pelvis.

Did your vet give you a grade number of her LP? It goes from 1-4. 1 and 2 you don't really have to worry about other than keeping their weight at a healthy level and maybe glucosamine supplements. 3 or 4 is where you need to talk to a specialist. Many dogs have 3 and 4 that never need surgery. Uni was initially diagnosed at a 3, and since downgraded to a 2 by another vet, so the diagnosis can be relative.

I guess ask your vet about glucosamine. We use Cosequin.

[Princess10]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Dogs and cats knees do not bend backwards like some people think. The backwards joint with the indention you are feeling is her ankle. Dogs and cats walk on their tip toes, so if you start at the pads, those are the toes. Go up a joint, that is the ankle. Go up one more, that is the knee. It bend just like ours. The knee cap is *tiny*! Go up one more and that is where the femur connects to the pelvis.

Did your vet give you a grade number of her LP? It goes from 1-4. 1 and 2 you don't really have to worry about other than keeping their weight at a healthy level and maybe glucosamine supplements. 3 or 4 is where you need to talk to a specialist. Many dogs have 3 and 4 that never need surgery. Uni was initially diagnosed at a 3, and since downgraded to a 2 by another vet, so the diagnosis can be relative.

I guess ask your vet about glucosamine. We use Cosequin.

Thank you! It's only a grade one, but I just don't like that it was just found-with no symptoms-then all of a sudden they've presented themselves. I'm going to ask my dad to make a couch ramp & see if we can eliminate that part. Since the Dx I don't let her jump off anything if I can get to her first.

[capt_noonie]

With a grade 1 there really isn't any symptoms until it just pops out and then she favors her leg. I guess favoring is a symptom them isn't it? Just means that the knee cap can be manipulated out of place but when you let go, it goes back on it's own. Ramp is a good idea.

[komutanon]

I believe you don't have to worry about surgery unless it's a grade 3 - 4. The best things you can do is watch her weight and keep her from jumping down from high places or going down stairs as much.

Kimchee aggravated her LP while playing fetch in the grass. I think the uneven terrain must have caused her to twist her knee funny. Anyway, she's recovering from her surgery. She was in between grades 3 and 4.

Here's some supplements that I've ordered for Kimchee to help strengthen those week knees! I expect her to have a 40" vertical soon.

Cosequin Regular Strength (180 capsules) MSM250MG120 - MethylSulfonylMethane 250 mg (MSM) 120 C
Ark Naturals Royal Coat Express (8 fl oz)

[Princess10]

I will bring the meds up to the vet next time we go-which I hope is no time soon! Too paranoid to start anything up not specifically approved without their consent due to her medical past.

[sashacarlino]

Hi everyone I have a yorkie her name is Sasha she just turned five this month always been healthy and has a ton of energy Novemeber 4th we were playing in the house and i slid the ball for her to get (like we have done a million times) she ran to get it and she ran into her food dish and kinda flipped over she got up and held her leg up i looked her over and everything seemed fine she allowed me to massage her leg the following day she would limp on and off i took her to the vet who told me she had dislocated her knee he gave her anti inflamatory pills for two weeks and put her on joint supplement to have her rest for three weeks no running jumping or standing on her hind legs which i did boy that was hard to keep her still we take her back three weeks later and he said her knee is alot stronger than three weeks ago and she has a very mild LP i thought i was gonna die when i heard that ,,he said to rest her more for another three weeks and gradually increase her activity and to watch her if this happens again to take her in. the problem is im scared now to have her be herself i have been sleeping on the floor with her for the past six plus weeks because im afraid she will jump off my bed does this mean she can not run and play and get on my bed or couches by herself? i am so upset that this happened to her over a slip into a dish shes my baby i love her so much guess I just need to hear other peoples experience with this he didnt give me a grade just that it was a very mild case can this be a one time thing since she wasnt born with this?

[tinalove]

With LP it is important to manage their weight. My bichon has LP and our vet told me to keep her down. I have been able to keep her weight at the same level for two years but I would love for her to lose 2 pounds. The vet praised her at her last visit for keeping her weight at the same level. She was smiling like she understood what the vet meant. LP is genetic and found in small breeds I learned that from my vet.