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Just need to vent a little... I took Sasha to the vet today for her annual wellness check-up and to get to DPP updated. While checking her over, the doctor informed me that she has grade 3 LP in her rear right leg. My heart sank as I am always reading stories and threads on here from other members experiencing this with their babies. Luckily for now, he said I won't have to worry about it too much because I have never seen it bother her at all. She has never limped, favored the leg and ever seemed like she has been in pain. She does get a Cosequin everyday so I'm not sure if that's helping or not. I've always tried to limit her jumping but I know there's only so much that you can do. As of now she's fine, but I worry about the future and the possibilities of surgery. I just needed to vent a little. :/ |
My Chewy has LP in both legs. He has had it since he was a young pup and up to just recently it has never bothered him, he is 6 yrs old. When he starts to limp badly, we immobolize him for a few days and it sort of goes away until the next time he goes off after a squirrel. Then back to square one. The doc says he should be fine a bit longer if we keep him quiet when he has bad bouts. He takes nothing for it. Just lots of rest and quiet. |
What is LP? |
LP is Luxating Patella, when the knee cap keeps sliding off and on. When it slides off and won't go back on, then it's a grade 4 and surgery is needed. My Zada had surgery when she wasn't limping and I found out by the orthopedic Doctor who operated on her for a torn ligament, that the first surgery wasn't done right. The groove the knee cap sits on wasn't made deeper, so the knee cap was also slipping again. He said if they are not limping, then don't fix it. My Azrael has grade 3 but never limps. She's had it ever since I got her at 5 months old. Most go thru their entire life without needing surgery. |
Just make sure you keep her weight down. My Yorkie has lp in both rear legs and jumps like a fool. She jumped about four feet after a cat and her patella in one leg had to be surgically repaired ten years ago. She has continued to jump like a fool but thank God her other leg is just fine. The Dr. said eventually she would need it done too but I think keeping her weight down has helped. Also consider condroitin congluseamate. I know that's spelled wrong but your vet will know what I meant. Good luck! |
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Buster is a grade 4 in both legs. He was diagnosed when I got him three years ago. He will sometimes carry one of his legs but only for a couple of seconds. I give him Cosequine and he runs, plays, you wouldn't know he had it. I caught him jumping up on the picnic table a couple of days ago. When it affects his quality of life then surgery will be considered. Some dogs can go their whole life and not need surgery. |
Tallulah has luxating patellas as well. Her vet says she may never have problems with them but the most important things I can do to help her avoid surgery are to keep her from getting overweight, train her not to get up on furniture so as to avoid her jumping off, and not to play tug-of-war with her. But otherwise to let her be a dog. I have to admit I want to carry her everywhere (but I don't do it) and I do watch her like a hawk. I did scale down my plans to take her through a lot of training -- most of agility is out because of the strain the maneuvers can put on the knees -- but she is happily doing basic obedience training and there are plenty of fun behaviors she can learn safely. |
Daisy was born with two grade 4 LPs.......at age 2, she had surgery on her left leg but has never needed it on her right leg. She is now 10. So, dogs can live a normal life. She runs, jumps, plays, etc just like any other dog. If the knee seems to bother her, we keep her quiet and if it goes out badly, she is crate rested and medicated if our vet advises it. By the way, we never have nor do we now use Cosequin or any other supplement for this problem as it has never been recommended by Daisy's doctors. |
Thank you all for your stories and kind words. It's nice talking to people who have dogs with some of the same issues. It's very reassuring. I've been giving Sasha cosequin for maybe 2 years just as a precaution. She's a very active little dog and used to do a lot of jumping, but I've started to really get on top of that now. |
Vinnie has had a grade 2 or 3 LP for years. He was diagnosed with it around the age of 2 and is now about 9 years old. I can safely say that it has never caused a single issue for him. He does take glucosamine chondroitin, mostly as a preventative measure and because he's got a little arthritis in his elbow from an old injury. |
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