Luxating Patella... Can it get worse? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

CobaltsMommy · 06-27-2013, 07:20 AM

Hey Everyone,

I have been lurking around the forums, and have read other peoples accounts on LP with their pup, however there is one thing I wanted to ask, if anyone has an opinion on this.

Cobalt was diagnosed with stage 2 Luxating Patella in his hind left leg, and the specialist I saw suggested surgery.

As of right now he has been on Cosequin for a few months but with no visible change, and we just started an anti-inflamatory to try to medically manage it until surgery becomes a possibility financially. I asked the specialist that I saw if medically managing long term, is it just prolonging the inevitable, or if they think that he can manage without surgery, but would not give me an answer. The general feeling I got from them was that it is better to do surgery now while he is young (he will be 2 next week) rather than waiting for it to get worse.

Back story on Cobalt, he is super happy/hyper. Jumps on everything he can find, so keeping him from jumping too much isn't really realistic (I have been trying :/) Cobalt spends more time standing on his hind legs and hopping around than he does on all fours. He limps/hops regularly, and won't put real weight on his left hind leg anymore when tested by the vet, but does not seem to be in pain from it during the day to day. (IE: he still launches himself off the couch regardless of limping)

My question for you guys is, does LP generally progress with time? or will he likely stay at stage 2? As much as I value my vet's opinion, it worries me that they kept dodging my question about this. I understand that they make money off surgery, and I do not want to put my pup at unnecessary risk.

sganow · 06-27-2013, 09:39 AM

I really can't tell you whether or not it will get any worse. I can tell you it won't get any better though. Our Maggie has grade 3 LP in both back legs and has only had it cause her trouble one time. At that time she got an injection and some oral meds and had to be on crate rest for a couple weeks. The vet said the only way to correct it is with surgery. He said the other option would be to wait and see if it becomes a chronic problem for her. That's what we decided to do and she has only had trouble that one time. That was about 2 yrs ago. I can feel her knee cap move all over the place when drying her off with a towel or other times when messing with her legs, but it doesn't seem to bother her. If your dog has chronic problems, or if it is bothering him and causing him pain, then I think you need to have the surgery for his sake. Otherwise, you will probably be ok waiting as long as you are careful with him. Also, being on anti-inflamatory meds long term is bad for the dog and can cause liver damage. If you can manage it with just the joint supplements, and not use anti-inflamatories, then you can probably go that route for now if need be.

gemy · 06-27-2013, 09:54 AM

First I would say go to an orthopaedic specialist. And for any surgery I would suggest very strongly a board certified surgeon.

And yes LP can get worse over time, and also over time arthritic changes in the knee will set in.

So along with a supplement route, if you are really serious about postponing surgery, I would highly recommend that you see a physiotherapist and learn the appropriate exercises for your pooch that will help to strengthen his leg muscles and hopefully stabilize the kneecap.

And you do need to try to control the jumping, truly not good for long term healthy longevity of a knee with a Grade2 LP. If he is jumping off the couch can you put some GelMats down to soften the impact...

CobaltsMommy · 06-27-2013, 10:25 AM

Thank you guys for your input. That really was the answer to my question: It does get worse with time.

I did see a board certified orthopedic specialist, I am just always hesitant about vets intentions. As a kid I had a vet try to convince my parents that we had to put my cats down for a broken leg, because it was more expensive to do that then it was to fix it. I know they are not all like that, but yea... I do kinda distrust new vets after that.

As for the jumping, we are working on it :/ I will have to look into the mats you mentioned. Thanks!

Thank you guys so much. I guess its time to look into scheduling surgery :/

tricia208 · 06-27-2013, 10:47 AM

My Edward had a 3 in one leg and 4 in the other. The first thing to know is the number is a judgment made by the vet or surgeon. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea. I have 4 friends that have different numbers from different vets. That does not mean your vet is wrong or not good - diagnosis is from feeling the leg and not always with an x-ray. My vet suggested waiting until Edward was a year old. Unfortunately, Edward's patellas popped out and he could not correct it without my help. I could not stand seeing him in that much distress so we did his right leg when he was 10 1/2 months. As soon as that was fully healed my vet did surgery on the left leg.

Surgery should be seriously considered for a rating of 3 or higher. A 1 or 2 does not always need surgery but it sounds like Cobalt is having some issues with his leg that may require surgery. I agree with the comment that they do not get better; they only get worse especially if your dog is a jumper as you stated. He might land on it wrong and cause a serious problem maybe even an emergency.

The surgery was not bad. My vet uses a laser and Edward healed nicely. He has not had any problems since the surgery. The only draw back was it is an expensive surgery. It sounds like you have found that out. Both legs were about ~$4,000 which I was happy to pay after seeing Edward in such pain. I can buy the Jimmy Choo's next year!

My suggestion is get a second opinion since the rating is 2, read whatever you can find and if you decide on surgery then make sure you get someone that has performed the surgery many times. Good luck with this as it is not an easy decision to make.

Christinee · 06-27-2013, 12:04 PM

I'm going through a similar situation as you. Me personally don't like the idea of having mine on medication unless totally necessary. Supplements I don't see a problem with but anti-inflammatory and prescription type medications bother me. They always come with risks after long exposures. I gave mine it for a day only. He seems fine without it so I am keeping it that way for now. I understand its a stressful situation expecially when money is tight for most. I would go with what the above suggestions are telling you. If a specialists is suggesting it then it may a good idea to seriously consider it I'm preparing my self by selling stuff and putting all the money into a just in case account. Also, If he's limping that would concern me.

06-27-2013, 07:20 AM	#1
CobaltsMommy YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 4	Luxating Patella... Can it get worse? Hey Everyone, I have been lurking around the forums, and have read other peoples accounts on LP with their pup, however there is one thing I wanted to ask, if anyone has an opinion on this. Cobalt was diagnosed with stage 2 Luxating Patella in his hind left leg, and the specialist I saw suggested surgery. As of right now he has been on Cosequin for a few months but with no visible change, and we just started an anti-inflamatory to try to medically manage it until surgery becomes a possibility financially. I asked the specialist that I saw if medically managing long term, is it just prolonging the inevitable, or if they think that he can manage without surgery, but would not give me an answer. The general feeling I got from them was that it is better to do surgery now while he is young (he will be 2 next week) rather than waiting for it to get worse. Back story on Cobalt, he is super happy/hyper. Jumps on everything he can find, so keeping him from jumping too much isn't really realistic (I have been trying :/) Cobalt spends more time standing on his hind legs and hopping around than he does on all fours. He limps/hops regularly, and won't put real weight on his left hind leg anymore when tested by the vet, but does not seem to be in pain from it during the day to day. (IE: he still launches himself off the couch regardless of limping) My question for you guys is, does LP generally progress with time? or will he likely stay at stage 2? As much as I value my vet's opinion, it worries me that they kept dodging my question about this. I understand that they make money off surgery, and I do not want to put my pup at unnecessary risk.

06-27-2013, 09:39 AM	#2
sganow YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Van Alstyne, TX Posts: 842	I really can't tell you whether or not it will get any worse. I can tell you it won't get any better though. Our Maggie has grade 3 LP in both back legs and has only had it cause her trouble one time. At that time she got an injection and some oral meds and had to be on crate rest for a couple weeks. The vet said the only way to correct it is with surgery. He said the other option would be to wait and see if it becomes a chronic problem for her. That's what we decided to do and she has only had trouble that one time. That was about 2 yrs ago. I can feel her knee cap move all over the place when drying her off with a towel or other times when messing with her legs, but it doesn't seem to bother her. If your dog has chronic problems, or if it is bothering him and causing him pain, then I think you need to have the surgery for his sake. Otherwise, you will probably be ok waiting as long as you are careful with him. Also, being on anti-inflamatory meds long term is bad for the dog and can cause liver damage. If you can manage it with just the joint supplements, and not use anti-inflamatories, then you can probably go that route for now if need be. __________________ Maggie (RIP), Ginger (RIP), Lilly, Bella, Saleen, Bailey, Bridget

06-27-2013, 09:54 AM	#3
gemy YT 2000 Club Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Huntsville,Ont,Canaada Posts: 12,335 Blog Entries: 2	First I would say go to an orthopaedic specialist. And for any surgery I would suggest very strongly a board certified surgeon. And yes LP can get worse over time, and also over time arthritic changes in the knee will set in. So along with a supplement route, if you are really serious about postponing surgery, I would highly recommend that you see a physiotherapist and learn the appropriate exercises for your pooch that will help to strengthen his leg muscles and hopefully stabilize the kneecap. And you do need to try to control the jumping, truly not good for long term healthy longevity of a knee with a Grade2 LP. If he is jumping off the couch can you put some GelMats down to soften the impact... __________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018

06-27-2013, 10:47 AM	#5
tricia208 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ocean Beach, CA Posts: 109	My experience My Edward had a 3 in one leg and 4 in the other. The first thing to know is the number is a judgment made by the vet or surgeon. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea. I have 4 friends that have different numbers from different vets. That does not mean your vet is wrong or not good - diagnosis is from feeling the leg and not always with an x-ray. My vet suggested waiting until Edward was a year old. Unfortunately, Edward's patellas popped out and he could not correct it without my help. I could not stand seeing him in that much distress so we did his right leg when he was 10 1/2 months. As soon as that was fully healed my vet did surgery on the left leg. Surgery should be seriously considered for a rating of 3 or higher. A 1 or 2 does not always need surgery but it sounds like Cobalt is having some issues with his leg that may require surgery. I agree with the comment that they do not get better; they only get worse especially if your dog is a jumper as you stated. He might land on it wrong and cause a serious problem maybe even an emergency. The surgery was not bad. My vet uses a laser and Edward healed nicely. He has not had any problems since the surgery. The only draw back was it is an expensive surgery. It sounds like you have found that out. Both legs were about ~$4,000 which I was happy to pay after seeing Edward in such pain. I can buy the Jimmy Choo's next year! My suggestion is get a second opinion since the rating is 2, read whatever you can find and if you decide on surgery then make sure you get someone that has performed the surgery many times. Good luck with this as it is not an easy decision to make.

06-27-2013, 10:25 AM	#4
CobaltsMommy YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 4	Thank you guys for your input. That really was the answer to my question: It does get worse with time. I did see a board certified orthopedic specialist, I am just always hesitant about vets intentions. As a kid I had a vet try to convince my parents that we had to put my cats down for a broken leg, because it was more expensive to do that then it was to fix it. I know they are not all like that, but yea... I do kinda distrust new vets after that. As for the jumping, we are working on it :/ I will have to look into the mats you mentioned. Thanks! Thank you guys so much. I guess its time to look into scheduling surgery :/

06-27-2013, 12:04 PM	#6
Christinee Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bellflower, Ca, USA Posts: 2,437	I'm going through a similar situation as you. Me personally don't like the idea of having mine on medication unless totally necessary. Supplements I don't see a problem with but anti-inflammatory and prescription type medications bother me. They always come with risks after long exposures. I gave mine it for a day only. He seems fine without it so I am keeping it that way for now. I understand its a stressful situation expecially when money is tight for most. I would go with what the above suggestions are telling you. If a specialists is suggesting it then it may a good idea to seriously consider it I'm preparing my self by selling stuff and putting all the money into a just in case account. Also, If he's limping that would concern me.