Testing For Luxating Patella

[Wogger]

When I bought my little Molly (at 16 weeks) and took her for her vet check the vet said she had grade I LP in her left leg and grade II in her right and it would likely need surgery at some point. I spoke with the breeder's vet and she said she never detected LP at all. I don't have a lot of faith in the vet I took her to and would like to get another opinion.

My concern is, is all this messing with her knees to check her going to cause her problems? I mean here is this 200 lb man yanking on her tiny little 2 lb body. There is a university vet hospital here that has a vet/orthopedic but being a teaching hospital it seems several students participate in the exam as well. Couldn't all the poking around cause more problems?

So in a nut shell, does examining for LP make LP worse?

I have a contract with the breeder that she can be exchanged for another puppy should something be found, but there is just no way I could even pursue that. I love her too much already. If surgery is in our future, so be it. Molly is one of a kind!!

[TLC]

I think a second opinion by an Ortho Specialist is needed.

[Wogger]

I will definitely get a second opinion, but my concern is since the only orthopedic in the area is at a teaching hospital, can having so many people feeling her legs make thing worse?

Can the exam itself cause damage?

My only dealings with this hospital was with a horse with vision problems and each student had to take a turn looking in her eyes, so I'm guessing it will be the same with the knee exam...

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Wogger

I will definitely get a second opinion, but my concern is since the only orthopedic in the area is at a teaching hospital, can having so many people feeling her legs make thing worse?

Can the exam itself cause damage?

My only dealings with this hospital was with a horse with vision problems and each student had to take a turn looking in her eyes, so I'm guessing it will be the same with the knee exam...

IDK - But you can make the appt. and go and when there express your concerns that you only want the Ortho Specialist doing the exam.

[MyFairLacy]

I wouldn't automatically jump into surgery for a grade 2. My Lacy has a grade 3 or 4 in her right leg and so far it hasn't bothered her. I'm hoping she'll never need surgery...but we're keeping an eye on it for now. I'd definitely get a second opinion from a specialist before going the surgery route

[Gracie2006]

I don't think an exam makes LP worse. Grade I is an incidental finding. Holly has Grade I on both legs. Grade II means the patella luxates but goes back in on its own. Grade III means the patella is luxated permanently but can be put back manually. Grade IV means the patella is luxated permanently but can't be put back manually.

My Gracie is somewere between a II and a III on both legs, with the right closer to a III. (Symptoms did not show up until she was almost 1 year old.) Every time it luxates, it causes them pain even if they don't show it. Each time it luxates, the ligaments holding the knee joing together stretch, which can cause the joint to become lax, cause degeneration of the joint, and bowing of the legs. I'm sorry if I sound like an expert but Gracie is in surgery now for both LPs. The surgeon explained things well to me. IMO, a grade II needs to be watched and a second opinion obtained prior to going through surgery. Anything more than a Grade II should be repaired while they are young.