Rear leg became completely stuck out in front of him...
 

Hi all,

This happened a few months back, but I forgot to ask the question here. A while back, my little Yorkie mix was laying by my side as usual. However, when I went to get up, I noticed he wasn't following me. He kinda just stayed there unwilling to move. He then stood up but his back leg was literally stuck out straight in front of him. It literally was straight out against his body, stuck and unable to bend. Obviously I panicked and had no idea what just happened or what to do. I massaged it for a bit and tried helping him bend it, but I didn't want to hurt him. He seemed like he wasn't in any pain though since eventually he started walking, but it remained stuck out on front of him. After roughly 15 minutes, he finally managed to pop it back in place and was fine like nothing every happened.

A few months after that, something somewhat similar happened. He had just finished pottying when he suddenly got up the stairs and was limping on his rear leg. I'm almost positive it was the same leg as the incident from before. It wasn't stuck out in place or anything, but he refused to walk on it much. This time, he wouldn't let me touch it because it seemed like he was in pain. He was obsessively licking it and would becoming agitated if I messed with it. I checked and couldn't find anything in his paw, so I was assuming it was his leg again or maybe he had stepped on something that hurt his paw. I made him rest in his cage that night, and next morning he was fine as if nothing was ever wrong.

So I'm beginning to think he has Patellar Luxation, especially after the first incident where it seemed his kneecap was completely stuck. I have no idea if there's any relation though with the seconds scenario. I've been doing a lot of research online but it doesn't really match his symptoms. He has no problems walking, no pain, and no weird knee movement when he walks/runs. He also hasn't had any leg problems since the minor one a couple months back.

Do you guys think this sounds like Patellar Luxation? I just want to know so I can start any possible preventatives, vitamins, etc that could help. He will be going to the vet in April/May so I will know for sure then, but just want to hear what you guys think.

I would sign up for insurance and wait the appropriate amount of time it says to cover things. I would then have them check him orthopedically.

If it's anything that serious then I'd of course look into that in the long run. It definitely isn't severe though from what I'm observing, so I'm going to see what my vet has to say in May. I did actually just buy this little supplement for hip and joints that basically just strengthen the joint muscles. I was reading a lot about it and many people use it for older dogs, as well as any dog affected by this condition. I don't expect to see any changes in behavior or anything with him, but I definitely hope it reduces the chances of his knee popping out again. That was such a horrifying event to witness; definitely don't want to go through that again!

If you wait until he's diagnosed, it is too late to obtain insurance for that particular condition to be covered because it is now a pre-existing condition.

If you would like it to be covered in the future in case he needs surgery, you need to get the insurance now and wait out the appropriate time which is usually about six months before being DIAGNOSED.
Good luck!

I agree with the insurance points but every company can have different wait periods; also important to note that you want to make sure that all genetiv defects are covered.


I would also point out that while LP is one of the most common ailments in toy breeds it could very well be something else going on, such as LCP. Leggs Calves Perth.

This is exactly what happened to my Ben & it was LP, he had surgery & is 100% new now.

Okay I will definitely look into the insurance then once my vet takes a look at him. I don't want to jump to anything right now since I don't even know if he has the patella disorder, but two experiences (especially the first time) really have me wondering.

I also just got a DNA kit for him that checks his breed, age, and any genetic health problems he may have so depending on what they comes back as, insurance may definitely be a consideration. I'll get the results in 1-2 months, around the same time we see the vet. Let's hope it's nothing serious.

Keep us posted! I hope all goes well!

Max went lame on his rear leg after a fall. The vet diagnosed a sprain and I got pet insurance the next day. He did have an X-ray and she said his knees look good. But he's the age where LCP shows up and could have been why he fell. Since never diagnosed yet with anything but a sprain I'm hoping they can't say pre existing. After 2 weeks he still goes limp on that leg if he plays too much.