Luxating Patella

[florencelisa]

I'm kind of sad. Today Manolo had a health exam and the vet said she had luxating patella on both hind legs. She's 1.5 years old, and only now I find this out. Her grade on one leg is Grade 1, and the other leg is Grade 1-2 according to the vet. I just thought she was perfect with no defects whatsoever. It doesn't change my feelings about Manolo, OF course NOT but I'm just worried that maybe she won't get to live as long because of this.
I want Manolo with me in my lifetime as long as possible. Anybody here with furbabies that have luxating patella? Are there any recommendations to how I can help her with this issue. Anyone out there have a yorkie with this condition that lived up to 15+ years or so?? I would love to hear from you.

[Britster]

Don't sweat it-TONS of yorkies on here have LP. Some have had surgery, usually with the higher grades (3 and 4) and it has gone well. Grades 1 and 2 typically don't need surgery but it's all up to you & your vet. From what I gather, the thing with LP is that in the future, it can turn into arthritis as they get older and THAT is what is painful, not the LP itself. A few supplements will help out the joints and alot of people give Cosequin with great results! Good luck!

[florencelisa]

Thanks Brit,
I appreciate your advice. I'll try not to worry too much. hah! I can't help it sometimes. I'll be on the lookout for cosequin.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by florencelisa

Thanks Brit,
I appreciate your advice. I'll try not to worry too much. hah! I can't help it sometimes. I'll be on the lookout for cosequin.

Oh, I understand! I totally worry too It's what we do, hehe. But just wanted to let you know many on here have grades 1, 2 and even 3 that don't do surgery and they live fun, never limp, etc!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Britster

Oh, I understand! I totally worry too It's what we do, hehe. But just wanted to let you know many on here have grades 1, 2 and even 3 that don't do surgery and they live fun, never limp, etc!

yep and my girl is grade 4 which is permanently out no movement at all and she is fine. She hurt herself jumping off doggy stairs and rested her for 2 mos and fine. Just be careful of jumping on and off stuff and twisting and turning like on hardwood floors and tile as dd use to play frisbee for 3 hrs a night on tile and hardwood floors and vet said no more as she was susceptible to injury

[florencelisa]

That is so great to hear. It's really comforting to know. Manolo doesn't limp or anything and I haven't seen any signs of her limping ever or running on 3 feet or lifting. She has fell off the counter once attempting to jump off and she kind of landed hard on her feet. (Maybe 2 months ago?) And as a puppy she was always on her hind legs trying to jump on the couch, so I'm just wondering if it's actually inherited or maybe from injury. But I suppose most likely it is inherited, I guess I'll never find out since I got her in Japan. But knowing Manolo's fierce spirit, she'll be a fighter if anything worse were to happen. I just now have to prevent her from jumping on the couch too often, and jumping period. (She jumps a lot)

Ever since she came back from quarantine (her neighbor was a fellow yorkie who could jump really high with both her hind legs flying up as well) she must of learned how to jump from watching her neighbor because now she jumps super high.

Ughh now that I think about it, she'd always be on her hind legs when she's put in her play pen trying to get out. And even when she was a puppy she'd always be on her hind legs trying to look over the pet gate. I remember always seeing the top part of her tiny head bopping up and down constantly. I just wonder if this has anything to do with it.

[Brooklynn]

I have 3 yorkies here with from a grade 2 to grade 3 in both knees and are doing great! I choose not to have surgery as it is not affecting their movements running and having fun. they are not in pain and as long as I keep their weight under control and limit the amount of jumping they are fine. I give supplements and control their diet. I have a 6 year old a 5 year old and a 4 year old with LP in both legs and none are showing signs and all 3 have one grade 3 in and one has a grade 2. One has a grade 3 in both knees no problems and one has a grade 3 in one and a grade 2 in the other and one has a grade 3 in both. As long as they are not limping and showing no pain I will NOT have the surgery as it's a difficult and painful surgery. One can live a very long life with LP. Diet and exercise and supplements seem to be the trick.
I hope this helps.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[florencelisa]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I have 3 yorkies here with from a grade 2 to grade 3 in both knees and are doing great! I choose not to have surgery as it is not affecting their movements running and having fun. they are not in pain and as long as I keep their weight under control and limit the amount of jumping they are fine. I give supplements and control their diet. I have a 6 year old a 5 year old and a 4 year old with LP in both legs and none are showing signs and all 3 have one grade 3 in and one has a grade 2. One has a grade 3 in both knees no problems and one has a grade 3 in one and a grade 2 in the other and one has a grade 3 in both. As long as they are not limping and showing no pain I will NOT have the surgery as it's a difficult and painful surgery. One can live a very long life with LP. Diet and exercise and supplements seem to be the trick.
I hope this helps.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Thanks so much! That is exactly what I plan on doing. Providing her with the best diet and supplements. I'm really glad to have the support of YT members. Thank goodness! I already feel so much better.

[_Chrissy_]

Originally Posted by florencelisa

Thanks Brit,
I appreciate your advice. I'll try not to worry too much. hah! I can't help it sometimes. I'll be on the lookout for cosequin.

Providing her with the best diet and supplements.

I get Max's Cosequin on Ebay.
Best prices I have found. Usually about $20 or less a bottle and not even close to expiration date.

Personally (not medical advice ) ... I give him 1/2 to 1 tablet of the DS or 1/2 to 1 Bonelet (Bone shaped tablet). In the winter months I have been giving him a whole tablet because the LP seems to bother him more. He only has grade 2 in his back left leg. I also just want to provide Max with the best supplements and diet and try to avoid surgery.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I have 3 yorkies here with from a grade 2 to grade 3 in both knees and are doing great! I choose not to have surgery as it is not affecting their movements running and having fun. they are not in pain and as long as I keep their weight under control and limit the amount of jumping they are fine. I give supplements and control their diet. I have a 6 year old a 5 year old and a 4 year old with LP in both legs and none are showing signs and all 3 have one grade 3 in and one has a grade 2. One has a grade 3 in both knees no problems and one has a grade 3 in one and a grade 2 in the other and one has a grade 3 in both. As long as they are not limping and showing no pain I will NOT have the surgery as it's a difficult and painful surgery. One can live a very long life with LP. Diet and exercise and supplements seem to be the trick.
I hope this helps.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

i 100% agree with this i think many rush into surgery for acl and this when it is unnecessary unless the dog is in pain and always lifting leg

[katy-yorkie]

Buster has LP, grade 4 in both legs. The vet does not want him to have surgery until it affects his quality of life. He does not limp, very seldom does he carry either leg. The vet wants to keep his weight under control but at 4 lbs., that is not an issue right now. My only regret is I took the carpet up and he slides on the floor, wish I had my carpet back.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I have 3 yorkies here with from a grade 2 to grade 3 in both knees and are doing great! I choose not to have surgery as it is not affecting their movements running and having fun. they are not in pain and as long as I keep their weight under control and limit the amount of jumping they are fine. I give supplements and control their diet. I have a 6 year old a 5 year old and a 4 year old with LP in both legs and none are showing signs and all 3 have one grade 3 in and one has a grade 2. One has a grade 3 in both knees no problems and one has a grade 3 in one and a grade 2 in the other and one has a grade 3 in both. As long as they are not limping and showing no pain I will NOT have the surgery as it's a difficult and painful surgery. One can live a very long life with LP. Diet and exercise and supplements seem to be the trick.
I hope this helps.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

You are completely correct!!!

I made the terrible mistake listening to a Vet. who told me my Zada had LP grade 3 in both legs and would need the groove where the knee cap sits on, ground deeper. I agreed to let him do the surgery. She was limping on and off a few months afterward, then a few months ago she was limping really bad so I took her to an orthopedic surgeon who did the x-rays and found she has a grade 4 in both knees and a torn ligament in one knee. When he operated on the one knee, he found that the groove was never deepened, and that she should not have had surgery unless she was limping and in pain. He checked Azrael and found her to also have a grade 3 in both knees but he didn't suggest surgery unless she has a problem with it. He said dogs can live all their lives with this condition and never have further problems.

[Brooklynn]

I am so glad my vet is one that doesn't just rush into saying my dogs have to have surgery at the drop of a hat....he believes LP is just so common in toy dogs and if it's not affecting their quality of life and they are not in pain and or limping no use doing something that may or may not have to be done again.
My dogs are happy and not in pain and since I have their weight under control no legs popping out of place and limping. When they were overweight that is when they would pull the leg up but that hasn't happened now in over 3 years since their weight is under control

Donna

[CarolineH120]

Originally Posted by florencelisa

I'm kind of sad. Today Manolo had a health exam and the vet said she had luxating patella on both hind legs. She's 1.5 years old, and only now I find this out. Her grade on one leg is Grade 1, and the other leg is Grade 1-2 according to the vet. I just thought she was perfect with no defects whatsoever. It doesn't change my feelings about Manolo, OF course NOT but I'm just worried that maybe she won't get to live as long because of this.
I want Manolo with me in my lifetime as long as possible. Anybody here with furbabies that have luxating patella? Are there any recommendations to how I can help her with this issue. Anyone out there have a yorkie with this condition that lived up to 15+ years or so?? I would love to hear from you.

Hey My wee Cassie past away 2 weeks ago she was 9 years old her sister was just a year old when both her legs had to get op on with a pin put in both legs the op is very successful. they will do one leg first this is what they done with my sister yorkie but the other leg always needs done too. I was hoping that cassie didnt get the same coz that was her sister but quest what when she was 3 years old she had one leg then the other. Cassie had small lumps on her skin too that where removed yorkies can get theses too. When your wee one gets its legs done it will be in alot off pain so the vet may keep you wee one in for a few days. Hope all goes well let me know.
Caz xx

[gemy]

Try also a treadmill and if you can find an underwater treadmill or even swim your pup in the bathtub... Great exercise for all breeds of dogs. Swimming, etc. that will help give lots of exercise and overall muscular development.
The condrotin and glucosamine is also good.

Grade one is the first grade and very mild. Of course you already know to limit the jumping. and the running on tile/hardwood etc.