Why so many cases of Luxating Patellas?

[MyFairLacy]

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

Maybe so, but I also think too many breeders aren't willing to take responsibility for genetics causing it. Why aren't more reputable breeders submitting patella results to the OFA?

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Maybe so, but I also think too many breeders aren't willing to take responsibility for genetics causing it. Why aren't more reputable breeders submitting patella results to the OFA?

Good question. I look forward to reading the answers.

As I said in my earlier post, large breed clubs require certain clearances before breeding. This is an example of the requirements for breeding a Golden Retriever:

We continue to have increased knowledge about the four examinations which should be completed before Golden Retrievers are included in any breeding program. These are 1) an examination of hips for hip dysplasia with certification free of the disease by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), the Institute for Genetic Disease Control (GDC – now closed but with data available from OFA), Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), or The University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP); 2) examination of elbows for elbow dysplasia with certification by OFA, GDC or OVC; 3) examination of eyes by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist; and 4) cardiac examination by a board-certified cardiologist. In Goldens, undergoing these exams is understood to be a pre-requisite for being a breeding dog.

http://www.grca.org/health/bigfour.html

The Golden Retriever club also advises puppy shoppers to ask for proof that these clearances have been done.

http://www.grca.org/acquiring.htm

Why aren't clearances like these required by toy breed clubs? I suspect the number of LP's would go way down if they were.

[Stella's mom]

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.

Are you doing anything special for Stage 1, the vet told me Stella has this but didn't give me a rank....I'm going to get into it more on our next visit.

[Patti]

I have been able to teach mine to use the ramp by my bed and the little cat condo's we have next to all beds and couches from the first we get them. My dtr taught Dixie in one day to only use the ramp to get on and off my bed. My dogs for some reason, even my 10 lb pom have never been able to jump up on furniture or beds without a stool or something. I think it helps keep added stress off their legs.

[KathyinCali]

Is LP something that can be seen in an xray? Meaning, if Lucy has it would it show?

I know I had my German Shepherds hips certified for hip dysplacia as it is as common for them as LP is for toy breeds.

[nikkinack]

Originally Posted by KathyinCali

Is LP something that can be seen in an xray? Meaning, if Lucy has it would it show?

I know I had my German Shepherds hips certified for hip dysplacia as it is as common for them as LP is for toy breeds.

They saw lilys on an xray

[bbrewser]

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

Sorry if my post implyed that I thought it was all the breeder's fault, I don't. I just though that if the cases that are hereditary can be weeded out maybe that would help lower the incidence. If I was a breeder I think I would want to do the test so if in the future one of my pups got LP then I would know it wasn't genetic.

[Ladymom]

According to the OFA, Yorkies are ranked #4 for luxating patellas.

http://www.offa.org/patluxstatbreed.html

[yorkiekist]

I had Labradors years ago and they were all OFA good or excellent for 4 to 5generations back. Still I would get OFA fair puppies now and then. I had one dog OFA'd and his parents were OFA excellent. He OFA'd fair. I talked to the vet about this and he said that sometimes its the way the dog is positioned on the table when x-rayed and who is reading the x-ray. These factors can determine how the OFA will come out. I had the dog done again and he was OFa good. so OFA readings are not alwasys accurate either.

[Zanders' mom]

Jazzie has LP -4 and I'm starting to wonder if Zander does too. I saw him get up from his bed and keep his leg up, I felt like someone through ice water on me. Since then he will occassionally pull his other leg up when we are walking, ooohhh ggooooshhh.

[Chellbe46]

my baby is a grade 2 and in a lot of pain since his fall on monday, hes having a opp on tuesday

[pea496]

Originally Posted by DENISE517

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.

Conner wouldn't use stairs either. I bought a hassock that is covered in corduroy, and he jumps on that, then on the bed. He also jumps off the bed to the hassock.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Connie

Libby has grade 2 LP and I am giving her Flexicose which is a liquid glucosamine complex, in hopes of keeping it from getting worse and relieving any pain. Here is the site: http://www.flexicose.com/ I just noticed, while doing a search, that I can get it cheaper on Ebay, so I'll buy it there next time.

This whole thread was great, thanks everyone. Wylie has LP, but not quite surgery grade - he rides the cusp, which is scary. Thanks to Connie's post, I just ordered Flexicose off of Ebay - THANKS!

[jannh]

This is a great thread. My little Fannie was diagnosed with this just before I was going to breed her. We had her spayed and are using step ups everywhere so that she doesn't need to jump from very high. I had not thought about the Glucosamine. I will try it also, good idea.....
She is not looking at surgery any time soon and hopefully I can find ways to prevent surgery.
Thanks everyone. Yorkie Talk is so informative on so many subjects.

[Zanders' mom]

Originally Posted by Zanders' mom

Jazzie has LP -4 and I'm starting to wonder if Zander does too. I saw him get up from his bed and keep his leg up, I felt like someone through ice water on me. Since then he will occassionally pull his other leg up when we are walking, ooohhh ggooooshhh.

Zander & Jazzie are not jumpers, (yet) if they want up on the couch, I have trained them to paw at us, and sit, then we pick them up and hold them, cuddle on our laps. Same thing coming out of the car, sit, wait. However my son was holding Zander one day, the door opened and Zander jumped out, when he did this, he must have injured his leg jus right because when I took him to the vet, last week, he said Zanders patella is slipping in one leg . He said he considers it a 1, I'll have to check with an ortho to verify.