Luxating patella

[sportschick]

Hi guys, it has been a long time since I posted here. My Beanie is now 8 years old. I CANNOT believe it. I think back when I got her and I was a total basket case trying to take care of her 8 years ago, and almost sent her back to her breeder. But, I didn't and I got a lot of very good support and information from this website. That being said, she has been the best girl EVER, through much physical, mental and emotional turmoil in my life, plus 3 moves. I am now very happily situated in disabled/senior housing and everyone loves my doggie!

All that being said, she has been diagnosed with a "solid" Grade 2, maybe Grade 3 luxating patella in her right hind leg. She also injured that leg and might have torn something about 2 months ago. I am now doing physical therapy, that includes water therapy with her. I am also going to see about doggie chiropractic and doggie acupuncture. She never had any issues with that leg until she hopped over the curb 2 months ago and did SOMETHING.

Anyway, the physical therapist said that he can help her and does not recommend surgery for her condition. My vet, who I love to death, seems to think that surgery is an option. From everything I have read about luxating patella surgery, it really isn't good for older dogs and even in younger dogs, it might not be the best thing.

Can anyone give me any personal insight into luxating patella treatment? I am doing everything the PT told me to do, and she is on a course of Rimadyl which is like a miracle drug, but I do not want her on it long term as there are a lot of side affects. She has a history of pancreatitis and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (that is a whole OTHER story with this dog) and I know that the Rimadly can bother her stomach. UGGGHHH.

Any information, insight, personal stories would be most welcome!

[Lovetodream88]

If she did tear something she really should have gone to the vet asap because if it was her CCL and it was not surgically repaired it’s going to cause her massive arthritis. Luxating Patella causes strain on the CCL so when you fix it on an older dog then you are very likely to have their CCL tear and cause another surgery. It is also a surgery that you do not want a regular vet to perform you would want an orthopedic surgeon to do it. I’m not found of the practice of vet chiropractors. For arthritis my girl takes meloxicam and CBD oil and is doing great!

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

If she did tear something she really should have gone to the vet asap because if it was her CCL and it was not surgically repaired it’s going to cause her massive arthritis. Luxating Patella causes strain on the CCL so when you fix it on an older dog then you are very likely to have their CCL tear and cause another surgery. It is also a surgery that you do not want a regular vet to perform you would want an orthopedic surgeon to do it. I’m not found of the practice of vet chiropractors. For arthritis my girl takes meloxicam and CBD oil and is doing great!

I actually did take her to the vet right away, and he examined her and said that she may have torn something or just totally irritated the area around the patella. He wanted to me to rest her for 6 weeks, which I did and she seemed to be much better until I had to take her to the emergency hospital for HGE/pancreatitis a couple of weeks ago. They did an abdominal ultrasound, and I am pretty sure they aggravated her knee again. I took her to my own vet again after this to make sure that she was o.k. to start the physical therapy.

I did read that the luxating patella surgery in older dogs can cause a CCL tear, which is why I am very leery of it. IF I absolutely had to do it, of course I would find a board certified ortho surgeon. The emergency hospital near me has wonderful doctors, surgeons, PT people, etc., so that is where I would go.

I have heard of the meloxicam as well. And she actually was on the CBD oil for about a month, and it seemed to be helping her and sort of evening out her constant state of hyperness. But I stopped it when she had this latest episode of HGE/pancreatitis because I was afraid that it might have contributed to it. I am wondering how much CBD oil do you give your dog and how many times a day? And have you had any stomach issues with it?

Anyway, thanks for your response!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by sportschick

I actually did take her to the vet right away, and he examined her and said that she may have torn something or just totally irritated the area around the patella. He wanted to me to rest her for 6 weeks, which I did and she seemed to be much better until I had to take her to the emergency hospital for HGE/pancreatitis a couple of weeks ago. They did an abdominal ultrasound, and I am pretty sure they aggravated her knee again. I took her to my own vet again after this to make sure that she was o.k. to start the physical therapy.

I did read that the luxating patella surgery in older dogs can cause a CCL tear, which is why I am very leery of it. IF I absolutely had to do it, of course I would find a board certified ortho surgeon. The emergency hospital near me has wonderful doctors, surgeons, PT people, etc., so that is where I would go.

I have heard of the meloxicam as well. And she actually was on the CBD oil for about a month, and it seemed to be helping her and sort of evening out her constant state of hyperness. But I stopped it when she had this latest episode of HGE/pancreatitis because I was afraid that it might have contributed to it. I am wondering how much CBD oil do you give your dog and how many times a day? And have you had any stomach issues with it?

Anyway, thanks for your response!

My girl has several health issues including IBD and the CBD oil has not caused any issues with her stomach. She gets some in the morning and at night. I make sure to use a human grade CBD oil too. LP surgery is extremly hard on them in my opinion so I would only look at going that route if nothing else worked.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

My girl has several health issues including IBD and the CBD oil has not caused any issues with her stomach. She gets some in the morning and at night. I make sure to use a human grade CBD oil too. LP surgery is extremly hard on them in my opinion so I would only look at going that route if nothing else worked.

That is good news that the CBD doesn't bother her stomach, especially with IBD!! I have to give Beanie Pepcid, which she is on a course of that right now. I agree that the luxating patella surgery is going to be my absolute last resort. Keeping my fingers crossed that the PT and water therapy will help her.

In the meantime, I think I will try the CBD oil again.

[winterstarpromo]

Our dogs are so much alike! Georgie is the first yorkie I have had, and I didn't realize what I was getting myself into behaviorally when I got her. I almost didn't keep her, but then did because I couldn't stand the thought of giving her a home and then taking it away from her. As she has gotten older, she has matured, thank goodness! Now I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Georg had surgery a few months ago for a luxating patella and torn ligament in her left back leg. The recovery process feels so slow- but she has improved greatly even though she's still recuperating. She definitely has gotten her sass back.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by winterstarpromo

Our dogs are so much alike! Georgie is the first yorkie I have had, and I didn't realize what I was getting myself into behaviorally when I got her. I almost didn't keep her, but then did because I couldn't stand the thought of giving her a home and then taking it away from her. As she has gotten older, she has matured, thank goodness! Now I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Georg had surgery a few months ago for a luxating patella and torn ligament in her left back leg. The recovery process feels so slow- but she has improved greatly even though she's still recuperating. She definitely has gotten her sass back.

How old is your doggie?

I have discovered that it is better to do 2 - 3 smaller walks, like a 20 min walk and then a small 5 - 10 walk, or 2, 15 minute walks. I have tried to walk her more than that twice and each time she picked up the leg, the first time, I ended up carrying her and massaging her knee until she was able to straighten out her leg and the 2nd time, it was just a quick pick up of the leg. I also notice that if I go beyond that time, she kind of starts to walk "off". On the days she goes to swim, I will only do a very short walk because it is just too much for her legs and my vet said not to over do anything.

I put her back on the CBD oil once a day at night. I am going to try and increase it to twice a day, but I have to go really slow because she got sick last week when I gave her too much. UGHHH, this dog, as my friend says, is a full time job!!! LOL. But, as you said about your Georgie, she has matured and is not as nutty in a high energy way. She is now nutty in other ways. LOL. But she still makes me laugh every single day and I love her to death.

[winterstarpromo]

Originally Posted by sportschick

How old is your doggie?

I have discovered that it is better to do 2 - 3 smaller walks, like a 20 min walk and then a small 5 - 10 walk, or 2, 15 minute walks. I have tried to walk her more than that twice and each time she picked up the leg, the first time, I ended up carrying her and massaging her knee until she was able to straighten out her leg and the 2nd time, it was just a quick pick up of the leg. I also notice that if I go beyond that time, she kind of starts to walk "off". On the days she goes to swim, I will only do a very short walk because it is just too much for her legs and my vet said not to over do anything.

I put her back on the CBD oil once a day at night. I am going to try and increase it to twice a day, but I have to go really slow because she got sick last week when I gave her too much. UGHHH, this dog, as my friend says, is a full time job!!! LOL. But, as you said about your Georgie, she has matured and is not as nutty in a high energy way. She is now nutty in other ways. LOL. But she still makes me laugh every single day and I love her to death.

Definitely good not to overdo it. It sounds like you've found something that works well for her.

Georgie is 4. She will be 5 in April. I so hear you on the nutty!!! Georgie is always up to something. She is so sassy, bossy, funny, and smart!

[abbykat]

My morkie had LP surgery at 9.5 years old and recovered nicely. She had TPLO on her other leg about a year later and did very well with that one as well.