My 6 month old yorkie has grade 3-4 luxating patellas
 

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

My vet diagnosed Jezebel with a grade 4 in both knees, which shocked me because I had NEVER seen her have any problems with it. No limping or carrying the leg, nothing. I thought she was full of it but held my tongue--a dog with grade 4 can hardly walk.

A couple of months after that, she injured the knee (torn ligament) and I took her to an orthopedic specialist/board certified surgeon. The expert said that both knees were a grade 2. Big difference! She did require surgery due to the torn ligament, and while that was being fixed he stabilized the patella as well. But the surgery would not have been necessary for just the grade 2 LP alone.

(Disclaimer I am not a vet!) If you read a description of the stages in this link, I wouldn't think your dog is a stage 3/4: Knee Problems In Your Dog - Patellar Luxation - Luxating Patella

Waiting, however, as the vet suggested is the correct advice. Just try and limit jumping up or down. Lots of dogs go through a long life with stage 2 and never need surgery. If you want a second opinion, you can always ask for a referral to a board certified orthopedist/specialist and get an evaluation.

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!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Also what is hard, when you allow the puppy to jump repetitively up and down (say over and over again, when they are in their Xpen and jumping up to greet you). Especially on slippery floors.

Also chasing toys on slippery floors; not a good idea when they are young pups.

Then folks get out and exercise your dogs! It can be especially for toy breeds in your backyard, if the greater outside seems too dangerous for you and your pup.

Down the apartment hallway (which I understand is usually carpeted).

Underwater treadmill work. Climbing hills. Swimming in a kiddie pool (in summertime of course)

Trick training that focuses on building up core muscles - back - upper and lower thighs, chest muscles.

Stacking or in layperson's terms - just standing in a good stance for a treat.
Common sense is so very rare these days.

thanks for the replies, Im going to take her to an orthopedic specialist to get a second opinion and discuss options. I have a hard time believing that with that severe of a LP on both legs, she has shown NO signs of it or has had NO trouble walking or running. I know that jumping on and off furniture is not the best thing for them, but theyre so playful and full of energy, its hard to keep them from doing that all the time. Were gonna go buy some stairs and try to teach both yorkies to use them to get on and off the furntiure and try to limit their jump as much as we can.

Please be careful with the jumping! Buster has had surgery for LP in both knees, a torn ACL and will have surgery on a torn meniscus this Friday. He only weighs five pounds. He's had the LP since he was a puppy (long story), he's five and half years old. If I could that precious boy my knees, I would. Watch the jumping!

It sounds like you have a good vet. It is a good idea if you can wait until they are a year old. My little Edward could not wait on his surgery. He also had a 3 in one leg and 4 in the other. Edward's leg would lock up and he got to a point where he could not correct it. You do not want to see your dog in that kind of pain. I would bring him with me everywhere I went so he would not be by himself when the leg lock up and he would be alone in pain. He had surgery before he was a year old and as soon as that healed the vet did surgery on the other leg. Performing the surgery early in his case was the right decision. A 3 & 4 is a serious evaluation in a 6 month dog. I agree with the previous posters that jumping can exacerbate the condition. Leash walking your dog at a steady pace will strengthen the muscles surrounding the leg and knee. The luxating patellas will still be present and require surgery but strengthening the muscles will help the dog if he jumps off furniture or in playing. Edward did great after the surgery and I am so glad we made that decision. Everything will be fine.