luxating patella

[lovespandp]

I think Peanut has it! I have noticed him lifting his back right leg up sometimes.. when he is walking.. Never running. I tried to hold his leg and put pressure to see if it hurts him but he doesnt make a sound. I am going to have to take him in and get an xray but I have to wait a week for my check! I am so scared!! I have noticed him do it a long time ago and he stopped and now I am seeing it more.

Does any of you have exp with this? Please help... Is their more signs that he would have it for sure??

[stephaustell]

Sophie was diagnosed with a luxating patella before she was a year old. The vet found it during her regular check-up without her being X-rayed. She does occasionally 'bunny hop' when she runs around but other than that shows no symptoms. She is a smaller Yorkie (approx 3.5 pounds) and my vet seems to think that as long as she stays small, surgery can be delayed indefinitely.

[capt_noonie]

Just send you a PM. Oh forgot to say Uni lifted just at about 2 1/2 years. Grade 1 and 2 don't even worry about surgery. Let us know the outcome!

[Britster]

Oh no! I hope not. Let me know how it goes w/ Peanut.

[Ladymom]

Oh, dear. Luxating patellas are all too common in Yorkies, unfortunately. Definitely get Peanut to the vet and have him evaluated.

Here is a great link about luxating patellas.

Medial Luxating Patella

[m2thev]

Oh No! I hope it's not LP. Please keep us posted, and sending Peanut good wishes and prayers his way.

[WalnutHill]

Oh no. I hope it's not.

Ask your vet to do and OFA patella exam. I will find the link with the instructions. An x-ray is a bad diagnostic tool for luxating patella. The x-ray will show the patella either in or out, and if it's in, that doesn't mean anything, and if it's out, the vet won't know the grade, so, manual manipulation is the best diagnostic tool. Don't waste the extra money on the x-ray.

[WalnutHill]

Here is the link for the OFA patellar luxation examination - it has instructions for the vet on how to perform the exam. You don't have to send the stuff in to the OFA, this just will help you and the vet how to properly check for luxating patella. This is a PDF file

http://www.offa.org/plappbw.pdf

[BonBon]

Oh no! I hope little Peanut's leg will be ok. Other than lifting it occasionally, does it seem to bother him? No signs of pain?

[lovespandp]

Thanks for all the support.. I am going to take him in tomorrow my poor little guy.

BonBon- He shows no pain, I was touching, and rubbing his leg and messing with it and he didnt mind at all. He only does it sometimes its not like an everyday thing.

WalnutHill- Thanks for the info!

I will keep you guys posted.. I am sure he has it.. Why else would he be doing that.. I thought for a second it was bc the ground was cold.. but then he did it in the house Erghh I am so upset

[Alexi]

My Sophie has it. Early on she had kind of a waddle that I thought was cute, then as she got a little bigger I noticed that she picked up the rear leg a few times. Took her to the vet and he was checking her out and said did you know that she may have it, and I told him that is what I thought was going on. She also shows no pain, when she runs she will hold it up and run on three legs. Vet said not to worry now if she is not in pain and can walk ok. But we need to keep an eye on her for later on, as they age they can grow arthritis in the injured spot. (kind of like human arthritis).

I hope your baby is ok and if that is what is going on it isn't to a serious stage. I feel so bad for my Sophie when I see her run on three legs.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Alexi

My Sophie has it. Early on she had kind of a waddle that I thought was cute, then as she got a little bigger I noticed that she picked up the rear leg a few times. Took her to the vet and he was checking her out and said did you know that she may have it, and I told him that is what I thought was going on. She also shows no pain, when she runs she will hold it up and run on three legs. Vet said not to worry now if she is not in pain and can walk ok. But we need to keep an eye on her for later on, as they age they can grow arthritis in the injured spot. (kind of like human arthritis).

I hope your baby is ok and if that is what is going on it isn't to a serious stage. I feel so bad for my Sophie when I see her run on three legs.

Thank you for your support. I know I feel so bad when I see Peanut do his little limp too!! I noticed he does it more when it is cold outside.. Thankfully we are in Calif, so its not that cold!! I took him for a walk yesterday and he lasted about 20 mins then he started to lift and I carried him home.. He doesnt seem to be in ANY PAIN. So that makes me feel better. I havent taken him to the vet yet, b/c I have no money right now. I have to wait till I get my check, then for sure he will be going. I know there is not much the vet can do. What did the vet do for Sophie???

I did order some Cosequin. I will start him on that as soon as I get it. I am no dumb bunny I know for sure that he has it.

Do you have Sophie on any supplements? A Yt'er "Capt_noonie" refered me to this website EntirelyPets Discount Pet meds Pet Supplies & Flea Medicine they have some good things that is where I am getting the Cosequin.. I am also thinking of getting some Arthritis Supplement, or some Joint Treats.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I would definitely talk with the vet and then to a qualified surgeon. But don't jump the gun on surgery as supplements have been know to help. Let us know what he says. We went thru lp surgery last year with Hot Rod. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod

I would definitely talk with the vet and then to a qualified surgeon. But don't jump the gun on surgery as supplements have been know to help. Let us know what he says. We went thru lp surgery last year with Hot Rod. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

Thanks. I want to say its a low grade luxating patella.. I am not sure, but just by my research and what other YT'ers have told me.. He doesnt do it all the time. I am still taking him to the vet. I will let you guys know what the outcome is.

I mean is there anything wrong with giving him Arthritis Supplements, or some Joint Treats?? Or giving him the Cosequin?? I know he has it for sure, I dont see a problem giving him those pills??

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Thanks. I want to say its a low grade luxating patella.. I am not sure, but just by my research and what other YT'ers have told me.. He doesnt do it all the time. I am still taking him to the vet. I will let you guys know what the outcome is.

I mean is there anything wrong with giving him Arthritis Supplements, or some Joint Treats?? Or giving him the Cosequin?? I know he has it for sure, I dont see a problem giving him those pills??

I don't see a problem with giving the Cosequin b/c it's good for all joints, not just the knees. But if his lifting is due to something else, the cosequin may be an unnecessary added expense. Did you read the thread about Jackson limping? We all thought it was LP, it turned out to be lymes disease. I'm just saying talk to your vet first.

Is there a humane society near you? That's where I take Uni, I go to the one in Garden Grove, I know that's far for you though. It's a bit of a wait, but you can see a vet for a $15 office visit fee. Esp since a vet can diagnose without xray, may be worth it.