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dwerten · 06-14-2009, 08:41 AM

this is from a vet

Luxating Patellas

Patellas can be diagnosed at a very young age, toy breeds are at high incidence of LP. some LP can be made from a trauma and won't be present at the initial exam. i dont think that a dog with LP should be bred, but it doesnt mean that 2 normal dogs can't produce a pup with LP. i check the knees at a first pup visit but that isn't to say that every vet does. some don't look unless there is an issue. and u can grade patellas with out an xray:

Medial patellar luxations are graded to assess severity.

Grade I: The kneecap can be moved out of place manually but will fall back into its natural position once the manipulator lets go.

Grade 2: Same thing except that the kneecap does not move back to its normal position when the manipulator lets go. These dogs are likely to progress to arthritis development and should be considered for surgery to prevent conformational damage. There is some controversy over whether grade 2 dogs should have surgery.

Grade 3: The patella is out of place all the time but can be manipulated back into its normal position manually (though it will not stay there).

Grade 4: The patella is not only out of place all the time but cannot even be manipulated back into place by hand. Such a dog has extreme difficulty extending his knees and walks with his knees bent virtually all the time.

It is not a good thing to have one's knee cap out of place; the entire weight-bearing stress of the rear leg is altered which, in time, leads to changes in the hips, long bones, and ultimately arthritis. How severe the changes are depends on how severe the luxation is (i.e., the grade as described above) and how long that degree of luxation has been going on. In time, the legs will actually turn inward, making the dog "knock-kneed." The luxation is not considered a painful condition but after enough time and conformational change, arthritis sets in, which is indeed painful.

Dogs with Grade I luxations do not require surgical repair.

Grade 2 dogs may benefit from surgery and most often the owner is called upon to judge how big a problem the lameness is.

Dogs with Grade 3 or 4 disease definitely should have surgery.

06-14-2009, 08:41 AM	#5
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	this is from a vet Luxating Patellas Patellas can be diagnosed at a very young age, toy breeds are at high incidence of LP. some LP can be made from a trauma and won't be present at the initial exam. i dont think that a dog with LP should be bred, but it doesnt mean that 2 normal dogs can't produce a pup with LP. i check the knees at a first pup visit but that isn't to say that every vet does. some don't look unless there is an issue. and u can grade patellas with out an xray: Medial patellar luxations are graded to assess severity. Grade I: The kneecap can be moved out of place manually but will fall back into its natural position once the manipulator lets go. Grade 2: Same thing except that the kneecap does not move back to its normal position when the manipulator lets go. These dogs are likely to progress to arthritis development and should be considered for surgery to prevent conformational damage. There is some controversy over whether grade 2 dogs should have surgery. Grade 3: The patella is out of place all the time but can be manipulated back into its normal position manually (though it will not stay there). Grade 4: The patella is not only out of place all the time but cannot even be manipulated back into place by hand. Such a dog has extreme difficulty extending his knees and walks with his knees bent virtually all the time. It is not a good thing to have one's knee cap out of place; the entire weight-bearing stress of the rear leg is altered which, in time, leads to changes in the hips, long bones, and ultimately arthritis. How severe the changes are depends on how severe the luxation is (i.e., the grade as described above) and how long that degree of luxation has been going on. In time, the legs will actually turn inward, making the dog "knock-kneed." The luxation is not considered a painful condition but after enough time and conformational change, arthritis sets in, which is indeed painful. Dogs with Grade I luxations do not require surgical repair. Grade 2 dogs may benefit from surgery and most often the owner is called upon to judge how big a problem the lameness is. Dogs with Grade 3 or 4 disease definitely should have surgery.