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Originally Posted by rdchris814  I took my 6 month old yorkie to the vet yesterday for a checkup and the vet said she grade 3-4 luxating patellas in both legs. I know LP's are common in yorkies, my other one has a mild grade 1 in her right leg. I was curious what other peoples thoughts and experiences are on a puppy so young and small (4lbs) have grade 4 LP's already. You wouldnt know she has them judging by the way she plays, runs, and jumps around. The vet said to just keep an eye on it, but odds are she'll eventually have to end up having surgery some day. He suggested waiting til at least she's full grown before getting it fixed. I would appreciate any comments and advice. Thanks |
We really do need to try to keep these little dogs from JUMPING!!! Jumping on and off furniture is devastatingly hard on little joints and tendons! Toy dogs bones are tiny, so it stands to reason, their little joints are also little. Now it is true you can have a congenital issue where the joint itself is exceedingly shallow, and the ligaments and tendons holding that joint together, are loose....but LP can be and frequently actually are, the result of allowing these babies to jump from furniture! The pressure on the tiny ball and socket joints, as well as the stretching of the tendons and liganments is brutal on knees and hips. Owners can not always think their LP in their baby, is a congenital/genetic issue....on that first vet visit, right after you get your puppy, your vet should be checking for slipping knees....if the pup has no problem with its joints, and the knees are stable and the tendons and ligaments are good and tight, your pup is in great shape....do not let that baby jump from heights, because that will cause LP!! And if your vet does diagnose LP that needs surgery, I would go immediately to an ortho specialist and get a second opinion!