No, I'm not considering breeding. I just want to know what to ask and what to look for in any breeders I'm considering buying from in the future. Yorkies have so many health issues...I want to try to make sure none of my future dogs have any major health issues. I've always been fascinated with showing...I think it sounds like so much fun...but I don't really want to breed. I might be interested in showing one day, but I'd have a lot to learn...so for now I just want to focus on buying the best pets I can and making sure they are healthy.

I'd really like more info about testing for LP in breeding dogs...how it's specifically tested for. This is really of interest to me because Lacy has LP and it is so so common in yorkies. I can understand breeders not wanting to have a guarantee against it because of the possibility of injuries causing it, but I'd like to try an minimize my chances as much as possible of getting another yorkie with LP. So I'm wondering how most breeders guarantee that their breeding dogs don't have it....do you just have a vet feel the joint...do you have x-rays done...do you see an orthopedic specialist to clear patellas?? I'm just curious how most of you test for LP in your breeding dogs.

Oooh... showing sounds wonderful also. I just thought u would make a good breeder because you know so much and willing to learn even more. Yeah, would be great to show huh? I'm sorry Lacy has LP. I had no idea she has it. I'm pretty sure it has been taken care of. I'm glad you are researching as much as you can to minimize your chances :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:. I know it's not anytime soon, but good luck to you with your newest addition. I guess Lacy won't be the only child anymore.

You know? That's a good point. I think vets can tell whether the LP was caused by injury or is genetic...correct? If a person came back to me and said that one of my pups had it, I would want he/she to be checked by a vet to determine as much as possible. I would most likely offer to replace the dog or to give a partial refund in the end, because I'm not sure it's something that shows up until later. Although, the only thing I know is that it's NOT in the lines of my dogs. I have checked back at the pedigrees, and I know the medical history of each of them. I suppose that's the best that can be done. :)

What does your vet do to check for LP in your dogs? I'm just curious what most breeders do to check for it

Mine feel the joint in the younger dogs, but I had him xray the adult girls when I got them. It was at the same time I got them blood tested and bile acid checked.

I also wanted to ask...do vets recommend surgery if it's only in stage II? Or do they generally wait until stage III?

Even stage III doesn't always need surgery....stage I and II rarely (from what I have read and been told by vets). However, I can see how it would really be an individual thing. Many dogs with grade I-III live their entire lives with no real problem, many more with mild arthritis as they age. Others, of course, do have more problems with it. Also, one thing I notice is that many vets are not actually knowledgeable enough about the grades to grade it correctly.

I have 2 yorkies with LP both are a grade 2 and I'm not even considering surgery at this point. Both are my spayed and neutered pets. LP showed up in adult stage of life and I'm almost sure it was from an injury I never knew about because all my dogs jump and run on concrete flooring in my home, run in and out the doggy door full blast and the two with LP are both overweight. So to say it's genetic in these two dogs is probably not the case. I won't consider surgery unless they are limping and continue to limp. If they show no signs of pain or lameness no need for surgery. JMHO!
The other dogs that are my breeding show dogs have been checked for LP and they do not have it. LP is just so common in toy dogs but again I firmly believe if it shows up in a puppy to a young adult probably genetic and should be eliminated from a breeding program again JMHO.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Interestingly, I have heard that LP can be reduced in young puppies by having them on a hard surface like concrete. (Not having them jump hard all the time, but just walking and playing) Apparently it strengthens the joints/muscles that are often weak with LP.

I never let my puppies jump on my concrete flooring! That is so dangerous and concrete is also more slippery than per se tile. But of course that is my experience anyway.

So would it be safe to say that most breeders just have a vet examine the dogs for LP but xrays are not normally done? I'm still unclear on that question.....

You can do a search of the OFA records by breed and see just how many Yorkie breeders have had their dog's patellas certified:

http://www.offa.org/search.html

I wouldn't say all breeders don't xray because a lot do I just haven't because LP again as I stated is just too common when you let them be dogs and jump and play.
I don't Xray yet. I am, however, going to start OFA'ing my show/breeding yorkies because I want to make sure LP is not going to show up in my lines. However, again, LP can show up if there is an injury. An injury can occur and you never know about it until LP shows up. It's always safe to not let your yorkies jump up and down on furniture but in my house it's almost totally unavoidable with the ones I have now. I'm teaching my 7 month old not to jump. I have several that are jumpers and try telling them they can't jump just isn't going to happen they are hard headed! LOL. I do however, like them being dogs and being able to run, jump and play.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

No, of course not. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear...I said not jumping hard, but instead walking and playing on a hard surface like concrete. As opposed to soft carpeting all the time. Like letting them walk and play (again, not jumping up and down) on the patio. BTW, my tile is much more slippery than concrete! Concrete usually has a bit rougher texture, unless one of the textured tiles. But as far as the surface, I would think they would be about the same hardness. I can certainly see how this would strengthen their leg muscles and joints in a safe way, as long as they weren't jumping on it.