tandemsuit
Home is where we park it!
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Talk to me about this please. The vet I went to says she doesn't do surgery unless the dog can't walk. Well, then, how does it get better so she can walk?
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Reread your post for possible typo.
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semopetvet
jackson mo
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send me a private email for more information. chuck
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nifty250
Central Oregon
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You might consider a chiropractor. Jax had a subluxation of a vertabrae in his neck and the vet said to take him to a chiropractor. I did and it worked.
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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We're talking about a toy poodle, Tandem? Luxating patellas are very common in toy breed dogs, although they do occur in larger dogs, too. Our 6 lb chi/pom is 11 yrs old and has lived with luxating patellas in both knees all her life. I learned to put them back in place (when I'd see her knee swiveling in all directions) and that worked for many years. We have taken Poquita walking every day since she was four years old and our vet says that her tendons have supported her because of that exercise. We took her to an orthopedic surgeon vet at age 7 and he recommended against surgery, because Poquita had adapted so well. The little house dog that never gets out might be more inclined to need surgery, he said. Every case is different and you probably need to take your pup to a specialist for assessment. The surgery usually requires crating the dog for weeks and that's hard on dog and owner. Acute, painful injuries of course have to be dealt with asap. Good luck to you and I hope your little girl will be okay.
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tandemsuit
Home is where we park it!
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CA POPPY,
Yes we are talking about a toy poodle. She did not have ANY luxation before the accident on Sunday. Now she won't put any weight on that leg. In fact, I took her out to go potty this morning and the leg gave out on her and she fell. This is breaking my heart! She hops around with the rear leg lifted. I just don't understand how it will heal properly if we don't put the knee back in and let it heal with the knee back in. We go back to the Dr on Thursday and I will certainly have a list of questions for the Dr.
Thanks all for your replies.
Cheryl
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dturm
Munster, IN
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The leg doesn't really heal, but the pain and inflammation from the original injury usually subsides within 2 weeks. I am much less inclined to recommend or do the surgery now than I was 15 years ago. Functionality and pain are the issues to consider in making the decision. I have found that many small dogs do well without the surgery. The luxating patella may be just part of the problem as there could also be cruciate or collateral ligament damage and also cartilage tears as well.
Be aware than surgically repaired joints usually develop arthritis albeit at a slower rate than the non-repaired joint.
Doug, DVM
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tandemsuit
Home is where we park it!
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dturm wrote:The leg doesn't really heal, but the pain and inflammation from the original injury usually subsides within 2 weeks. I am much less inclined to recommend or do the surgery now than I was 15 years ago. Functionality and pain are the issues to consider in making the decision. I have found that many small dogs do well without the surgery. The luxating patella may be just part of the problem as there could also be cruciate or collateral ligament damage and also cartilage tears as well.
Be aware than surgically repaired joints usually develop arthritis albeit at a slower rate than the non-repaired joint.
Doug, DVM
Thank you Doug for your response!
We go back to the doctor tomorrow. I will definitely be asking about the ligaments as I don't think the Xray can show that. As to the arthritis part, you are saying she more than likely will develop it in that knee whether we do surgery or not, right? Should I go ahead and start some glucsoamine now?
Thanks again.
Cheryl
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Code2High
Agoura, CA
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I'd consider a dog-literate chiro as well, and for non-toxic pain relief and promotion of healing, acupuncture is a wonderful thing.
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Cheryl, Poquita did not have immediate signs of luxating patella, either, but apparently was born with the tendency. When she was maybe 8 or 9 months old, we played with her chasing a feather on a string cat toy. Poquita would jump and do fancy twists and it was so cute. Then one day she put the knee out, just like you describe, and was carrying it. No more jumping type playing for her, or running the way pups love to do. BUT, with me learning to put the knee back in place, and regular exercise plus daily glucosamine, she has adapted really well, as Dr Doug pointed out many dogs do. At age 11, she has some arthritis in her knees but still loves to go for her daily walk. Because of the weakness in her knees, she also has had back problems the past couple of years. There are times she has to take pain pills for a few days, then she's off them again. The orthopedic surgeon said he's done knee surgery on a dog as small as two pounds, but he prefers not to if the dog has learned to adapt as well as ours has. Let us know how you do at the vet. It really is a livable condition, though, and not painful to the dog most of the time.
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