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Originally Posted by MyFairLacy  I think I've read that a puppy can have loose patellas because the bones are still developing and hardening and that they can become tight as they mature?? LP is such a hard one.
Rylie has grade 2 in both legs. Lacys is grade 2 left and grade 3 right.
I reread the grading scale recently. Grade three is when the patella always rests to the side of the groove but it can be manually moved back into position, but then pops right back out again when let go. Grade 4 is the same as grade 3 but with 4 can not even be manipulated back into the groove. So there really isn't a lot different between 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are both severe and may cause pain and limping and will at the least probably cause arthritis as the dog ages. Both may require surgery, but I'd only recommend it if the dog is limping or in pain. Dogs that have the surgery can still have limping and arthritis so that's why you should not do surgery unless the LPs are causing the dog pain. |
Grade 3 isn't as bad as grade 4 in most cases....Brookie and Harvey has a grade 3 and it comes out and can be popped back in and stay in....Brookie when overweight it will pop out while running and she'll pull it up and I have to pop it back into place but now since her weight is under control it hasn't popped back out in over a year. I don't recommend the surgery either unless there is limping and pain. If you give glucosmine it does help with the joints and help with the arthritis.