Why so many cases of Luxating Patellas?

[ARCHIE]

I have been wondering why so many LP's also.
Thanks for the informative thread Denise. I have learned alot.

[DENISE517]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

Only a vet studying x-rays can determine if it is due to hereditary issues or environmental issues. I am so sick of people that automatically blame breeders when something goes wrong with their dog.

If you let your dog jump off of things, or get too fat, you can expect that some will have problems with their knees.

Many breeders no longer will cover LPs because of environmental issues. Do you realize that it only takes one jump/twist to injure a knee? Once a pup/dog leaves the breeder's home, they do not know what kind of environment the dog lives in. They do not know what the new owners allow their dogs to do.

Don't be so quick to judge a breeder and say that LPs are all their fault!

JMO

Please know I wasnt blaming anyone...just trying to find ways we can prevent it or ways to help those who have it already

I know Maddie is a jumper and I don't know how to keep her from jumping. I have stairs, going to my bed, etc, but she just dont or wont use them.

[Sugar's Mom]

it is very prominent in ALL toy breeds. Some is genetic some is injury. if a puppy has it, it is probably genetic and if the dog is older, it is probably acquired. I have known show dogs with L.P. The vets I have talked to about it have said, if you find a yorkie that doesn't have it to some degree, bring it in, I want to see it. it is really easy to check your puppy for Lp. I posted it in another thread somewhere on here last night. And just because the joint might pop a little at times, doesn't mean it has L.P.

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

Only a vet studying x-rays can determine if it is due to hereditary issues or environmental issues. I am so sick of people that automatically blame breeders when something goes wrong with their dog.

If you let your dog jump off of things, or get too fat, you can expect that some will have problems with their knees.

Many breeders no longer will cover LPs because of environmental issues. Do you realize that it only takes one jump/twist to injure a knee? Once a pup/dog leaves the breeder's home, they do not know what kind of environment the dog lives in. They do not know what the new owners allow their dogs to do.

Don't be so quick to judge a breeder and say that LPs are all their fault!

JMO

Good post!!!!

[bjh]

I found the following article on luxating patellas very interesting and it makes a lot of sense.

http://www.dinosauria.com/gallery/jeff/spot/lp2.html

[MIZBROWN]

Originally Posted by DENISE517

Ok...I didn't start this thread to start anything so please keep it as an information thread please......don't make it a controversal thing.

here is what i found on a website?

What causes luxating patella?

Occasionally it's caused by an injury, but in the absence of such proof, the weak tendons and/or shallow kneecap groove of luxating patella is considered hereditary. Never breed a Yorkie with any degree of luxation (even a "wiggly" knee), whether it has been repaired or not. Fixing the knee doesn't fix the genes that caused the problem.

OFA Certification
The Orthopedic Foundation of America will issue registration numbers to dogs whose patellas have been x-rayed by a vet, forwarded to the OFA, and found to be normal. This condition is so common in Yorkies that we believe it is essential that all breeders start doing these x-rays before breeding. Then you will be able to INSIST on seeing the OFA certificate for each parent before buying a Yorkie puppy. It will be one more way to pick out the responsible breeders from the rest of the pack.

Denise... well said I already see this can be a heated debate for some But, I greatly appreciate the informative posts

I'd like to know what's considered excessive jumping for these pups... Meka is 4 lbs at 10 mo's and she jumps on and off of my daughters bed all the time. So, I plan not to allow her to jump off anymore... Though, we also have stairs & she goes up and down daily... should I stop that too

[011011]

My vet says both are at fault injuries and genetics.I have never experianced it ,so I am sorry for yours having the problem.

[TLC]

I am really sorry, but being through LP with both Roxy and TJ and from speaking with numerous Vet and numerous Ortho Specialist, and from all the research that I have done, MOST cases of LP in the small breeds are due to Genetics. It is VERY RARE that LP is caused soley on injury, very rare.

LP means that the patella luxates, but it's gonna luxate because their bone structure and poor strength in their ligements and muscle are going to ALLOW the patella to luxate when they take that jump or long walk or fast run around the corner.

[Ladymom]

From what I understand, a vet can check your new puppy's knees for LP at that first vet visit. That way later on there will be no question about whether or not is is genetic or from an injury.

Lots of puppies have clear knees, but they injure themselves later on by jumping on and off furniture.

[DENISE517]

any ideas how to keep our babies from jumping.

[Ellie May]

http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/Hea...llarLuxations/

82% of dogs with LP are born with it, so atleast 82% is congenital. This isn't counting the dogs where it is congenital and shows up later in life.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

Only a vet studying x-rays can determine if it is due to hereditary issues or environmental issues. I am so sick of people that automatically blame breeders when something goes wrong with their dog.

If you let your dog jump off of things, or get too fat, you can expect that some will have problems with their knees.

Many breeders no longer will cover LPs because of environmental issues. Do you realize that it only takes one jump/twist to injure a knee? Once a pup/dog leaves the breeder's home, they do not know what kind of environment the dog lives in. They do not know what the new owners allow their dogs to do.

Don't be so quick to judge a breeder and say that LPs are all their fault!

JMO

Good post....think about it....how many people get their cute little puppy, take it home and either put it in a room with a gate, or in an exercise pen.....the puppy then spends much of its time on its hind legs jumping up and down wanting out. When the puppy does get out he goes wild leaping and jumping.

http://www.dinosauria.com/gallery/jeff/spot/lp2.html

The following is taken from the article on the web link above:

However, patellar luxation can also be due to other developmental factors, such as improper exercise, malnutrition, or anything that can impact bone, muscle and ligament growth at any time during the dog's life. As such, there are many things that can cause the condition, not just inherited factors. Clearing up any genetic factors in all dogs will not eliminate the condition as trauma and other factors can still cause it. It also means that if scientists ever fully understand the developmental issues that lead to patellar luxation, which they currently do not, they may be able to prevent it even in dogs that have "genetic predisposition."

[TLC]

Originally Posted by bjh

Good post....think about it....how many people get their cute little puppy, take it home and either put it in a room with a gate, or in an exercise pen.....the puppy then spends much of its time on its hind legs jumping up and down wanting out. When the puppy does get out he goes wild leaping and jumping.

http://www.dinosauria.com/gallery/jeff/spot/lp2.html

The following is taken from the article on the web link above:

However, patellar luxation can also be due to other developmental factors, such as improper exercise, malnutrition, or anything that can impact bone, muscle and ligament growth at any time during the dog's life. As such, there are many things that can cause the condition, not just inherited factors. Clearing up any genetic factors in all dogs will not eliminate the condition as trauma and other factors can still cause it. It also means that if scientists ever fully understand the developmental issues that lead to patellar luxation, which they currently do not, they may be able to prevent it even in dogs that have "genetic predisposition."

Very good article, BUT it is written by a person with an LP dog, not an Ortho Specialist and while I'd love to believe it's all facts, the fact of the matter is he is writing from him beliefs and such

[bjh]

Originally Posted by TLC

Very good article, BUT it is written by a person with an LP dog, not an Ortho Specialist and while I'd love to believe it's all facts, the fact of the matter is he is writing from him beliefs and such

That is true but I think he did make some very good points and it sounded like he did his own research before writing the article.

[tumismom]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

it is not all poor breeding.. neither of Layla's parents have LP... it's just the nature of the beast... why do so many large dogs have hip problems.. goes with the breed... please don't make it sound like it is the breeder fault.. maybe some are but Layla came from a very responsible breeder and yet she still ahs stage one in her back leg... just the way it went.

agree..it's not always poor breeding..Tumi's parents don't have LP. I guess it's the chance that you take with small breed..