Luxating Patellas ???

[cobird2]

I am very appreciative, kalina82, for your well-written explanation. Thank you for taking the time to share some valuable information.
Another question I have is about the elbows. Can they become a problem also?
Is there anything much more adorable than yorkies with the "zoomies?"

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by cobird2

I am very appreciative, kalina82, for your well-written explanation. Thank you for taking the time to share some valuable information.
Another question I have is about the elbows. Can they become a problem also?
Is there anything much more adorable than yorkies with the "zoomies?"

elbows can luxate too, tho its not as common as the knees.

[pea496]

Conner has his surgery LP surgery tomorrow. I am very nervous, even though my vet said he has always had an exellent outcome with every surgery. He will call me as soon as Conner is done and let me know how he is doing. I will go to work tomorrow, but have the rest of the week off (vacation time).

I will update everyone tomorrow.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by pea496

Conner has his surgery LP surgery tomorrow. I am very nervous, even though my vet said he has always had an exellent outcome with every surgery. He will call me as soon as Conner is done and let me know how he is doing. I will go to work tomorrow, but have the rest of the week off (vacation time).

I will update everyone tomorrow.

Good luck Conner!!

[Gracie2006]

Originally Posted by pea496

Conner has his surgery LP surgery tomorrow. I am very nervous, even though my vet said he has always had an exellent outcome with every surgery. He will call me as soon as Conner is done and let me know how he is doing. I will go to work tomorrow, but have the rest of the week off (vacation time).

I will update everyone tomorrow.

Oh, please take care little Conner! Please do let us know how he is as soon as you can. We are thinking about him and sending our prayers and well wishes. I understand your fear, as you well know!

[Stella's mom]

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery Conner!!!

[Stella's mom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

Patellas are knees and they are only found in the back legs. front legs have elbows. the legs will look normal but you may notice a hunched back if the legs are really really bad and the knees will point outward instead of straight ahead. If the LPs are just a low grade you may not notice anything wrong. As the grades get higher you will see more symptoms. sometimes they will be running along and you will see them hike up the leg or kick it out behind them. they are doing this to put the knee back in place because it pops out of the socket. as the progression gets worse you will notice them holding the leg up more and more. you will notice a limp and they will even cry out in pain if they step on it wrong or if you touch it wrong. it does hurt. LPs that are grade 3 or 4 need to be surgically fixed. 1 and 2 can be treated with supplements but keep in mind they will NOT get better. only worse. sometimes they will stay the same if you try to prevent the dog from jumping and running around like a nut (which is hard with yorkies and their "zoomies")

Thank you for the explanation and also noting it is not always genetic. Stella has always been vet checked for LP and was negative until this week so I feel like it was caused by some of her antics at home. They didn't tell me the grade just said it was minor at this time. Do you think it would be advisable to start her glucosamine?

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Stella's mom

Thank you for the explanation and also noting it is not always genetic. Stella has always been vet checked for LP and was negative until this week so I feel like it was caused by some of her antics at home. They didn't tell me the grade just said it was minor at this time. Do you think it would be advisable to start her glucosamine?

it couldn't hurt

[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by pea496

Conner was diagnosed with LP. He is having surgery on 1/21. The cost is between $600 to $700 for one leg. Sometimes, he hops like a bunny when we go for walks. I am taking the rest of the week off of work to help him with his recovery (his surgery is on a Monday).

am just reading this thread and came about your post. I hope the surgery goes okay for Connor. I bet you are a nervous wreck . . . I will pray for you both.

[Tiger's Mom]

My baby girl just got diagnosed with LP It was supposed to be just a routine check-up since she turns 2 next month and needed some bortadella shots An hour later the vet nochallantly mentions Annika has LP in her right hind leg. He said it is still mild and could possibly never require surgery but just to observe. Annika's disposition is not like typical yorkies. she is very laid-back and her favorite past time is just napping and being righ by me. She cannot jump from a chair no matter how low it is but has seen her do it about 3 times I believe since she came to me. How does one know if it is genetic or due to accident . And just when I found about her condition, that night for some reason I found her on the floor instead of our bed, I was so mad. . . . she is scared of heights so I have no clue how she ended up on the floor. Now I am diligently making sure she does not jump up and down whenever she wants to be carried . . . as I'd hate to aggravate her legs too much . . oh dear, she is going to be even more pampered now

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by kalina82

my whole quote was this "Most times its luck of the draw AND it is not genetic. sometimes usually happens to them to cause the LP like overactivity, running down the stairs, jumping too much, etc..."

i didn't say it was never genetic, i said most of the time. LPs can be genetic but it can also be caused by running, jumping, falling, etc, etc. etc. I see dogs with LPs every day...

You are absolutely right. X-rays can detemine if LPs are genetic or a result from injury...most of the time.

[Jacoby]

aw man. I am wondering if my baby has this now. Sometimes he randomly just lifts his hind legs backwards. It is usually while he is eating. He is only 4.5 months old. I guess I'll have to ask the vet

Someone I met before fed her dog glucosamine dog treats. Does anyone know where to find these??

[Erin]

So Sammy and I went to the orthopedic vet today. Surgery will be $2500 and they will do both at the same time. We are going to wait until it gets warmer out since she will need to be carried outside. Keeping her quiet after the bandages come off is going to be a full time job.

We knew she had luxating patellas (grade 3) but all of you talking about doing surgery sooner than later made me schedule an appt with the specialist. The one our vet sent us to was super nice and though about an hour away, I think they will take good care of her! They thought she was so cute even when she wiggled for her x-ray.

BTW LP isn't always bad. Loki has a grade 2 and aside from occasionally (like once a month) walking funny for about 2-3 steps and then kicking it back into place, he is totally fine and will probably never need surgery. Sammy walks funny all of the time. She's not in pain, but she needs the surgery. I feel better waiting a couple months knowing she's not in pain though.

[Gracie2006]

Originally Posted by Erin

So Sammy and I went to the orthopedic vet today. Surgery will be $2500 and they will do both at the same time. We are going to wait until it gets warmer out since she will need to be carried outside. Keeping her quiet after the bandages come off is going to be a full time job.

We knew she had luxating patellas (grade 3) but all of you talking about doing surgery sooner than later made me schedule an appt with the specialist. The one our vet sent us to was super nice and though about an hour away, I think they will take good care of her! They thought she was so cute even when she wiggled for her x-ray.

BTW LP isn't always bad. Loki has a grade 2 and aside from occasionally (like once a month) walking funny for about 2-3 steps and then kicking it back into place, he is totally fine and will probably never need surgery. Sammy walks funny all of the time. She's not in pain, but she needs the surgery. I feel better waiting a couple months knowing she's not in pain though.

I am glad that you had Sammy evaluated. Surgery is frightening and expensive, but I think it is the only way to ensure our babies won't end up lame later on. Please let us know when Sammy's surgery will be.

[carlyb]

My boy had surgery in august and did terrific! It was a pain keeping him quite for the required mending period. I put my mattress on the floor and slept with his lease around my hand so he couldn't get more than a few inches from me and could not jump off the bed. It worked and we both slept well!

I called around and most vets in Austin, tx would send me to a specialist who charged $1800 but then I called my reg. vet and Dr. Brandt said he does it all the time and charged $850. They van their animals at night to the emergency overnight hospital about a block away and pick them up the next morning. He stayed until the end of the second day after surgery and made little soft sounds when he saw me and they said it was the meds. I was glad to hear that as I thought he was in pain and weak. Like I said he did great but yesterday he started holding the other leg up and can't jump up on the sofa etc. as usual. So, looks like we're in for another one.