Mary Velazquez Webboard User Reg: 12-24-2007
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Loc: Texas
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Is surgery the only option for a dog with a luxating patella? This dog is a 50lb male, neutered. He has had trouble on and off since he was a pup, but recently it became worse- does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? are there any medication or suppliments that have provne helpful?
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
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Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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What grade of luxation is it? Is this dog fit, overweight, or ?
I have a 4 year old male dog who has grade 2 knees since puppyhood. I have taken the preventative steps of keeping him very light, discouraging him from jumping, I handle his back end very gently during baths, and do my best to keep him from running on slippery surfaces. Other than this he can do anything any of my completely 100% perfectly jointed dogs can, and I'm opting to not do the surgery.
I made the decision that if his knees go to a 3 I'll have the surgery done. I know of no other treatment because it's a loose tendon/ bone issue not usually something that can be helped with suppliments like arthritus
Mary Velazquez Webboard User Reg: 12-24-2007
Posts: 575
Loc: Texas
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I dont know what grade they are, we have given him ester-C, vit E and Salmon Oil since he was a puppy. Due to a financial situation there is no way Ill be able to afford an operation right now. He is in excellent shape, and it had never been very ad or very often, and knowing that he ahd this issue, I was hopinh that his excellent muscle tone would help keep it in check.I will ask the vet about this but would an anti-inflammatory help ease the pain?
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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likely no. Literally it's the joint not performing right and likely scraping bone on bone or pinching nerves which is icky pain and likely a level 3-4 in need of surgery if that's the case. Often you can get a break on the surgery if you go to a college to have it done. Here i'd go to WSU in Pullman WA but I'm sure there are some good vet schools in Texas.
I had surgery done on a 20lb miniature poodle rescue. We waited too long to do the surgery and she has arthritis now. I really regret that. I would do surgery as soon as you can. From what I gathered whenever the patella slips it does damage to the cartilage so the longer you go w/o surgery the worse the damage becomes. It can be pricy depending on the vet so you may want to do research to find a qualified vet that won't charge you an arm and a leg.
Hi Mary,
My dog who was adopted from a local shelter one year ago had a patella luxation. My local vet referred me to a vet. surgeon. She examined my dog and referred me to a vet who specializes in physical therapy for all sorts of orthopaedic issues along with some post op therapy.
He performed an exam and she was successfully treated by underwater treadmill sessions. It was a matter of building up her quadracep muscles to stabalize the patella. They grade the luxation form 1 to 4, I believe. She was a grade 1 on one leg and a grade 2 on her other leg.
I also worked at home with some exercise to help build up her muscles.
She has been 100% sound since!!
Might be worth looking into, if there is someone in your area??
Mary Velazquez Webboard User Reg: 12-24-2007
Posts: 575
Loc: Texas
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Thanks everyone! Ill look into therapy, I think Id have to buy my own pool to excersise him in water, or maybe I could find an access to the river....
Ill definitly look into as many possibilities as I can though! Im guessing that his would be at least a grade 2 since he cant put any pressure on it, but will have to get him examined.
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Luxating patella- is surgery the only option?
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