LP is common in Yorkies. Grades 1-3 do not neccesarily need surgery, the determining factor is pain or limping, if that occurs the surgery is recommended. A dog could live 18 years with grade 3 and never limp or cry out. It depends mostly on weight and displacement of weight, and also the size of the groove. The patella slips out of the groove if it is too shallow (thus a luxating patella), so the heavier the dog, the greater chance of it slipping out. Glucosamine supplements are recommended, as well as *attempting* to keep the dog from jumping from high places and using stairs or ramps (as suggested above) in places where the dog previously jumped. However, exercise such as walking can be helpful in strengthening the leg and keeping the dog at an ideal weight.
A grade 4 almost always need surgery, except in special circumstances. Grade 4 indicates that the patella is almost always outside of the groove and often has ceased to "pop" back in at any time. Most of the time it cannot be manipulated back into the groove at all until a surgical procedure is done. This poses the greatest health risks because it can cause further damage to the knee (tears or ruptures, bone scraping against bone, etc.) and can also create arthritis in later years if left untreated.
To hear the knees "pop" and seeing no indication of pain or limping is actually better. In this case the dog will most likely not need the surgery if the condition does not worsen. It can be treated instead with preventative care. Vets generally do not like to open up a knee with a grade under 3, and 3 is iffy depending on the situation and pain level for the dog.
I hope that your Bella does not need to have her condition treated surgically. Start her on a good supplement and be careful not to let her jump from high places now. That can lead to a full and healthy adult life with potentially no future issues. |