Luxating Patella - YorkieTalk.com Forums

clarin · 04-17-2009, 07:21 PM

i want to the vet today and she said that my 10 week old baby
have Luxating Patella . she grade it a stage 1. she also said that
lola is still to young and can grow out of it. have someone had this
on their puppy ? what happen? what you think about breeding?

Dina_Nichole · 04-18-2009, 07:06 AM

Hi, I'm sorry about your baby having LP. I honestly don't know a lot about it so I'm sure others here can help you more. I do know that there are differen't grades of LP. I think it's grades 1 to 4 or possibly 5. The higher number being the worse. Since your baby is only a one that is a good thing. I would talk to your vet about a good suppliment. They can help to keep your baby's knees from getting any worse. Also, try not to let your baby jump on or off of anything. Puppy steps would be a great idea.

Some babies do have to have surgery because of the LP but typically it's when the grade is 3 and up. However, babies with a lower grade can require the surgery.

You asked about breeding and I'm not sure if you were planning to breed your pup but please don't. Please don't take me as being rude but LP is genetic and no good breeder would breed their babies knowing that they have this. In my opinion it is just very wrong to do. I hate it even more when the breeder claims that they didn't know the mom or dad had LP and yet the baby will have a terrible grade or they'll claim the parents don't have it.

How didn't they know about the mom or dad having it? It's just a big lie!!! Any good vet checks for this and would have told the breeder.

The suregery is expensive and tons can't even afford it. Not just being a money issue but the poor babies are the one's that have to suffer. Like I said before, not trying to sound rude but breeding a dog and knowing it has LP is so wrong to me. I wish you all the luck with your baby and I hope the grade remains at 1.

clarin · 04-18-2009, 08:38 AM

i wonder if the mother and the father had it.

i think you for your message . the vet said she might grow out of it. if she doesn't i will spay her.

Britster · 04-18-2009, 09:08 AM

I personally wouldn't breed her, even if she grows out of it. You don't want to spread any of that to her litter(s). Plus, there's so many puppies and dogs in the world that need homes, don't add to it unless you are truly INFORMED and a responsible breeder. What is your reasoning for breeding? It also can change a female's personality and make her less of a "pet' from what I understand (I am not a breeder) as well as increasing her risks for cancer.

blueskies · 04-18-2009, 10:47 AM

10 weeks is too young to diagnose LP. Many puppies under 6 months have "loose knees" due to the major growth and change their body is going through. Many will grow out of it within a few months after their knees have adjusted and are set into place. I would wait until she is over 6 months and then have your vet xray the knees. If it is truly genetic it should progressively get worse and an xray should show a groove much too shallow for the patella. LP is a very difficult thing, and the reason why most breeders don't cover it is because of the possibility of injury as the cause. It is very easy for a small dog with excellent knees to suddenly have grade 2 in both after a fall or several jumps off a high place (bed, couch, etc.). The more active the dog is, the higher the chance that he/she will knock their knees out at one point or another during their lifetime. A grade 4 is almost always genetic, but under that it's very hard to tell. Now, that being said, if it doesn't go away I would not breed her, regardless of whether it is genetic or not, because a pregnancy would be particularly hard on a female with a bad knee.

Also, I did want to point out that two parents CAN have perfect knees and produce a puppy with bad ones. A breeder could very well be telling the truth if he/she says that the parents have good knees. It does happen, and also in reverse. You could potentially breed a parent with LP and get a puppy with perfect ones. There is so much uncertainty about the genetic/injury aspect, combined with the fact that, like most genetic defects, can skip generations, that it is truly a difficult thing to put your finger on.

Karrie · 04-18-2009, 02:56 PM

I can only share my personal experience.

Bailey was diagnosed with level 1 in her puppy check ups. At 8 mos. we noticed her limp a few times then took her to the vet. The vet confirmed that she was still a level one, but that if I was worried, I could consider surgery. I was releived that her limp was not Legg Perthes - so I decided to deal with the issue after the holidays.

Oddly, after the vet visit, Bailey never limped again!! Her level hasn't escalated either. My sister has a terrier mix with LP as a puppy and she grew out of it. I'm not saying that I'm out of the woods yet - as it may worsen as Bailey gets older (she's 2 yo right now); but I am relieved that for the moment, it is better. I wouldn't breed a dog with a known defect - jmo.

According to my vet, jumping off the furniture does not aggravate LP; however, running the fence line (stop/go) and going up/down stairs can make a knee cap slip.

Good luck and best wishes!!

tritsy · 04-21-2009, 07:56 AM

Because my puppy-mill rescued sammy has grade 4+ luxating patellas, i am becoming somewhat knowledgeable about them

(can you imagine how many puppies he has helped create at that mill with his bad genes???) As far as breeding, I'll stay out of it! But just so you know, even if his get worse, it's not always painful for the dog. though I do know sammy is lucky, his luxating patellas cause him no pain, and will not (hopefully ever) need surgery because of that.

04-17-2009, 07:21 PM	#1
clarin Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: gainesville fl Posts: 114	Luxating Patella i want to the vet today and she said that my 10 week old baby have Luxating Patella . she grade it a stage 1. she also said that lola is still to young and can grow out of it. have someone had this on their puppy ? what happen? what you think about breeding?

04-18-2009, 07:06 AM	#2
Dina_Nichole I Love My Munchkins! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: My Babies ♥'s! Posts: 8,765	Hi, I'm sorry about your baby having LP. I honestly don't know a lot about it so I'm sure others here can help you more. I do know that there are differen't grades of LP. I think it's grades 1 to 4 or possibly 5. The higher number being the worse. Since your baby is only a one that is a good thing. I would talk to your vet about a good suppliment. They can help to keep your baby's knees from getting any worse. Also, try not to let your baby jump on or off of anything. Puppy steps would be a great idea. Some babies do have to have surgery because of the LP but typically it's when the grade is 3 and up. However, babies with a lower grade can require the surgery. You asked about breeding and I'm not sure if you were planning to breed your pup but please don't. Please don't take me as being rude but LP is genetic and no good breeder would breed their babies knowing that they have this. In my opinion it is just very wrong to do. I hate it even more when the breeder claims that they didn't know the mom or dad had LP and yet the baby will have a terrible grade or they'll claim the parents don't have it. How didn't they know about the mom or dad having it? It's just a big lie!!! Any good vet checks for this and would have told the breeder. The suregery is expensive and tons can't even afford it. Not just being a money issue but the poor babies are the one's that have to suffer. Like I said before, not trying to sound rude but breeding a dog and knowing it has LP is so wrong to me. I wish you all the luck with your baby and I hope the grade remains at 1. __________________ I My Lil Furballs!! Pia Mojo ~ Trixie Murphy ~ Paisley Max Last edited by Dina_Nichole; 04-18-2009 at 07:08 AM.

04-18-2009, 08:38 AM	#3
clarin Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: gainesville fl Posts: 114	i wonder if the mother and the father had it.i think you for your message . the vet said she might grow out of it. if she doesn't i will spay her.

04-18-2009, 09:08 AM	#4
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	I personally wouldn't breed her, even if she grows out of it. You don't want to spread any of that to her litter(s). Plus, there's so many puppies and dogs in the world that need homes, don't add to it unless you are truly INFORMED and a responsible breeder. What is your reasoning for breeding? It also can change a female's personality and make her less of a "pet' from what I understand (I am not a breeder) as well as increasing her risks for cancer. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

04-18-2009, 10:47 AM	#5
blueskies Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 138	10 weeks is too young to diagnose LP. Many puppies under 6 months have "loose knees" due to the major growth and change their body is going through. Many will grow out of it within a few months after their knees have adjusted and are set into place. I would wait until she is over 6 months and then have your vet xray the knees. If it is truly genetic it should progressively get worse and an xray should show a groove much too shallow for the patella. LP is a very difficult thing, and the reason why most breeders don't cover it is because of the possibility of injury as the cause. It is very easy for a small dog with excellent knees to suddenly have grade 2 in both after a fall or several jumps off a high place (bed, couch, etc.). The more active the dog is, the higher the chance that he/she will knock their knees out at one point or another during their lifetime. A grade 4 is almost always genetic, but under that it's very hard to tell. Now, that being said, if it doesn't go away I would not breed her, regardless of whether it is genetic or not, because a pregnancy would be particularly hard on a female with a bad knee. Also, I did want to point out that two parents CAN have perfect knees and produce a puppy with bad ones. A breeder could very well be telling the truth if he/she says that the parents have good knees. It does happen, and also in reverse. You could potentially breed a parent with LP and get a puppy with perfect ones. There is so much uncertainty about the genetic/injury aspect, combined with the fact that, like most genetic defects, can skip generations, that it is truly a difficult thing to put your finger on. __________________ No longer breeding----Just enjoying my four special Yorks! Mom loves Widget, Ice, Tigger, and Blast Last edited by blueskies; 04-18-2009 at 10:48 AM.

04-18-2009, 02:56 PM	#6
Karrie Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 903	I can only share my personal experience. Bailey was diagnosed with level 1 in her puppy check ups. At 8 mos. we noticed her limp a few times then took her to the vet. The vet confirmed that she was still a level one, but that if I was worried, I could consider surgery. I was releived that her limp was not Legg Perthes - so I decided to deal with the issue after the holidays. Oddly, after the vet visit, Bailey never limped again!! Her level hasn't escalated either. My sister has a terrier mix with LP as a puppy and she grew out of it. I'm not saying that I'm out of the woods yet - as it may worsen as Bailey gets older (she's 2 yo right now); but I am relieved that for the moment, it is better. I wouldn't breed a dog with a known defect - jmo. According to my vet, jumping off the furniture does not aggravate LP; however, running the fence line (stop/go) and going up/down stairs can make a knee cap slip. Good luck and best wishes!! __________________ This is Bailey's world and we just live in it!

04-21-2009, 07:56 AM	#7
tritsy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: st paul, mn Posts: 35	Because my puppy-mill rescued sammy has grade 4+ luxating patellas, i am becoming somewhat knowledgeable about them (can you imagine how many puppies he has helped create at that mill with his bad genes???) As far as breeding, I'll stay out of it! But just so you know, even if his get worse, it's not always painful for the dog. though I do know sammy is lucky, his luxating patellas cause him no pain, and will not (hopefully ever) need surgery because of that.