Patellar Luxation

[JOYJEEP50]

Hi,
My name is Joy and I'm new to Yorkie Talk. My yorkie "Jimathy" just turned a yr old I just found out that he has grade III/'VI Patellar Luxation in his left hind leg and I/VI Pat. Lux.in his right hind leg . I'm told this is a hereditary. When I call the person whom I bought Jimathy from I was told he didn't get if from his dogs. simply because he had sold 4 other litters from the same dogs and nothing has been said to him from other buyers. Is this hereditary ? and can the breeding dogs have other litters w/o having Patellar Luxation? I'm just heart brolen over this, the person whom I bought Jimathy from offer to pay for his neutering, wasn't that nice of him I am open for some help about what I can do . I don;t think he should sell Yorkies if he is passing this gene on.

[143munchkin]

I believe this is a hereditary trait, but it could also be from jumping up and down couches, beds, high area etc. not sure if that grade is severe enough to need an operation now, but consult your vet. i know of some yorkies with the high grade lux patella that are doing fine. i think eventually, they will need surgery however. thats my 2 cents, but check with your vet.

read your contract, and see if they cover hereditary defects. if so, get your vet to say that this is hereditary, and tell your breeder to cover this, IMO.

[Gracie2006]

My vet said it is a genetic defect. However, it does occur very frequently in small breed dogs. I did some research and found Yorkie's the six most common breed to get this. It happens in about 14% of Yorkies. My vet said it is something that is nearly impossible to breed out. She suggested I let my breeder know about Gracie's LP diagnosis out of courtesy, but not to expect any response. Gracie is just over one year and is newly diagnosed as well. I reviewed the breeder contract and nothing was said about LP.

[TLC]

Yes it is!

...BUT...here's how Breeders get a FREE ticket...

All the make up is there in their genes for their Patella to Luxate, however, MOST are not born with their patella's luxating, but once they start to grow, play, run, jump...oops...now we have the luxating patella

LP can happen from injury, but that is most often truly found in large breeds.

When LP happens in our guys, it is because their 'make up' is going to allow for it.

Good luck going after the breeder, I hate to say it, but I doubt you'll get any money for it.

Now, back to LP.
There are only 4 Grades. LP doesn't get better on it's own. Whatever damage that gets done to the cartilage from the patella luxating CAN NOT be replaced or repaired. It is truly advised to have corrective surgery done for Grade 3 and Grade 4 to prevent any further damage. These little ones do excellent after surgery. Also, it is BEST to have a Board Cert. Ortho Specialist do the surgery, it can get pretty creative in their legs and it is best to have an 'artist' - if you know what I mean.

Keep us posted! I have 2 of my own that have LP. Roxy has had her surgery. TJ's isn't that bad yet.

Do a search here on YT:
Luxating Patella

You'll find LOTS of posts to read all about it.

[JOYJEEP50]

I did get a letter from the Vet and says its hereditary. Only the owner says its not from his dogs. The guarantee I got is a doozy.

it states: 1 yr health guarantee. Must be a written vet. notification on cause of health problem, to be able to give client a complete replacement or assistance. NO GURANTEE for potential slip joints or death to neglect on part of the buyer. NO GURANTEE notification hip dysplasia , thickness of coat and color.
Patella Luxation isn't from neglect of the buyer, is it not? The closing goes on to say :
I, ************** give you a healthy , clean and well fed pet. Care and recommendations have been reviewed and by which means all responsibilities by the buyer are excluded. This includes any illness or problems they may arise after a 3 day term and or trial from the date of purchase. the buyer should have the dog checked by a Vet and notify the seller within the 72 hrs if buyer desires to return the dog.

I guess he has me there, most problems , if any, aren't detected until a few months later. Theres no way you can detect the potential health problems within 3 days , right?
I did my home work before buying a yorkie and knew of the hip dysplasia and of Patella Luxation and even Tracheal collapse. . I didn't think that there were sellers out there that would sell puppies with these conditions. Even if some didn't know of the the puppies having the chance of having these conditions they should have their puppies checked if a buyer came back with these findings and proof from a vet. stating his dogs are passing on the genes and take responsibility. Please see the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. They have a database just for Patella Luxation and applications too. I think this is a very good idea and wish every breeder would do this.

I'm so heart broken over this I wanted to breed him and the seller knew this, now I can't .. I won't be a part of this breeders chain of selling puppies with any kind of abnormities, so my baby "Jimathy Wendel Shewach" will be neutered.

[TLC]

Yes, I have been to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals many times.
I too wish that breeders 'scanned' their breeding dogs better.

I am sorry you can not breed him, but you are making the right choice

[yorkiemalt]

he's very handsome. I'm also sorry that you can't breed him but he will live a perfectly normal, pain free life once his knees are fixed.

[carlyb]

Stan had his surgery this morning & is doing fine but staying overnight. I'd like to hear what I'm to expect & how to care for him over the next few weeks. If you've dealt with the surgery please inform me. Thanks

[ladybugg74]

Our regular vet though Hallee had luxating patella in both her back legs. She ended up limping and that is when we got her to the vet asap. However, our vet was not an ortho specialist for this surgery. We were concerned about him doing the surgery and Hallee being put out. We got him to refer us to ortho surgeon that specialized in small breeds. I was very comfortable with them. However, they determined Hallee had torn ACL not luxating patella. Specialist said they have very common symptoms and it would be hard for a regular vet to tell. Hallee is now 4 weeks from her surgery and recovery fine. Only did her left. Her right seems to be okay for now. Specialist said to keep an eye on it for symptoms and if she showed any to get her in. I am so glad we took her to the specialist. Also our specialist said that if the regular vet went in to do the surgery for luxating patella and found torn ACL instead he would not have been able to do the surgery. He would have sewn her back up and referred her to specialist anyway. Specialist said torn ACL's is also hereditary in these small breeds. Poor Hallee, but she is doing great right now. Seeing her after the surgery, broke my heart...but so glad we did this for her. I stayed home with her two days after the surgery. Had to keep her from running ect. We seperated her from Gracie for about 2 1/2 weeks to not to hurt her little leg. Best of luck to you.