Luxating Patella Advice
 

A few days ago, Reggie yelped while he was playing and went running off holding his right leg up in the air, then it was back to all fours and he seemed fine. A little while later, he was standing up on his hind legs when he kind of collapsed to the ground (he didn't cry or yelp) and when he stood up, he was holding his left leg in the air. After a short time, he was walking on all 4 legs like nothing happened. I made an appointment with the vet and my husband took him. The vet confirmed Reggie has luxating patella and will probably need surgery.

The vet didn't give it a rating (I know from reading posts here that the rating indicates the severity). The vet did suggest surgery at a cost of about $500 per knee. Luckily I have pet insurance so it won't cost me quite that much. I plan to get a second opinion.

Is there anything I can feed him or any exercises or other things to try and strengthen the muscles in his legs to help support his knees? I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Thank you
:aimeeyork

I would limit his jumping on and off things until he's better. I don't else but somebody on here should be able to help. Good luck with him

We have dog stairs for him to get on and off the couch. He won't jump off because he thinks he can't, so that isn't the problem. One thing he does is stand up on his hind legs alot trying to be pet or get attention. I'm not sure how to stop him from doing that.

You can feed him a chondroitin/glucosamine supplement.
Lower ratings /no lameness should not need surgery. I would really research this before you make a decision on surgery particularly if this is a young dog. ALWAYS use stairs and do not let him jump. Good luck.

Oh poor little guy! I can't imagine my own kneecap popping in and out much less my babies!

Two things stood out from your post that to be honest, concerned me....

One is the fact that your Vet didn't grade his knee.

Keep this in mind....

Grade 2 - usually does not require surgery, restrict jumping/running and add a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement and keep your fingers crossed - lol!

Grade 3 - requires surgery and depending on how long it has been a Grade 3 greatly determines the success of the surgery. In other words, the more the knee cap slips in and out the more damage that is done. Even with surgery arthritis will develop in the joint and adding the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement will hopefully delay the onset. Almost constant pain in the joint.

Grade 4 - IMMEDIATE surgery - the pain must be excruciating! The kneecap will NOT go back into place and again, successful surgery is greatly reduced.

Unless it is caused by a trauma, like my maltese, they generally progress to a 3 or 4 over a period of time. Hence, a difficult choice as to when to operate.

The next thing that stood out is that your regular Vet, I'm assuming, is the one who quoted the price of $500 to you.

Buyer beware.........maybe it's different because of your location but here in NJ most "reputable" Vets will refer you out to an Orthopaedic Surgeon. The cost is not even close to the $500 - more like $2500 - $3000 per knee!

I know when a family member of mine is ill I would want the "best and most experienced" doctor/surgeon doing the surgery. Same was true with my Chan. Not saying that the 2 knees he just had done in the past 3 months was NOT a financial hardship but I never would have considered not going to an Orthopaedic Specialist.

Good Luck to you and your baby......keep in mind that even if Reggie's parents were OFA tested for LP it wouldn't matter - LP is a recessive gene!

Any suggestions of a good chondroitin/glucosamine supplement? Internet, pet store, are they basically all the same? I started searching but I thought I'd ask those who've had experience with this. Thanks!

Cosequin DS

I think I got it on VetDirect?

Yes, Cosequin is good and so is Joint Max. Joint Max because it also has Vit C in it, I am not sure about Cosequin. You can compare ingredients and decide which one would be best for you..Vit C is helpful in absorption of the other things. Try to find one with the MSM in it as well , that helps with any inflammation.

Cosequin does have Vitamin C and is human grade and tested. One of the few that are.

Good Luck to you and your baby......keep in mind that even if Reggie's parents were OFA tested for LP it wouldn't matter - LP is a recessive gene![/QUOTE]

Thank you for bringing that up. That is so true and I had totally forgot about this.

Should we give chondroitin/glucosamine supplement to new puppies?
At what age would you reccommend this?

I'm so sorry to hear this but I COMPLETELY understand because my baby just got surgery for LP last month. His was severe though. He couldn't really walk without limping. $500.00 is actually a really good price. Its at least $1000.00 here in NY.

The docs really didn't tell me to limit his exercises because he was getting surgery anyway. There's nothing you can do to make sure the knee cap stays in. Stairs can help your baby get up and down easier. Just give him lots of love and caring esp during the recovery. Jen helped me alot through that time period cuz I was a WRECK! Thanks Jen!

Good luck with your baby and keep us updated!

dizpatch,

That is a GREAT question! Shoud it be given to young pups? Sorry, don't know the answer.

I only started using it after my maltese's first LP surgery in April and have continued ever since - right through this past surgery in June.

Let's see if someone has the answer.........

And the recessive part.....scary! This is not a surgery for the light hearted! Recovery is long!

Can you feel the knee yourself and tell if he has LP or not?

One of mine yelped and held up his back leg while chasing a dog along a fence. There was another bigger dog running with him and I thought the other dog stepped on him. I held him awhile and then he seemed ok.

Another time we were walking in a field and he yelped again but didn't hold up a paw. After I held him awhile he was ok but he whined awhile. I thought he stepped on a prickly weed or something. This was like over a year ago. Nothing since then. I never mentioned it to the vet because I didn't suspect anything like a slipping knee cap. Now I am concerned.

how old was your pup when you first gave it to him? My pup had LP surgery at 8 months old and is now 10 months. Should I start giving it to him now? Is this the product:

http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr....57CC6C7D3C68FE

cchu,

Yes, that is the Cosequin but I actually use the Double Strength on my maltese. That is also available on the same site.

Chandler was 3 years old when he had his knees done.