Luxating Patella- Toy Poodle

[poodle proud]

Hi all,

I know this has been discussed previously and have read most of the threads but wanted some specific advice.

Its about Middi, my toy poodle who is 16 months.

* Nov 09 on routine examination vet discovered she had mild luxating patella- grade 1 (left hind leg), vet said dont worry if she's not bothered by it

* over time we have seen it pop out and she pops it back into place with discomfort observed on two occasions months apart.

* This weekend it popped out about 5-6 times just during medium level play, she whimpered a lot for about 1 minute each time, limped for a couple of minutes and was then fairly ok.

* saw the vet this morning who noticed she was favouring this leg. vet said both hind patellas are luxating, the left one he popped out and she whimpered the right she didnt care about.

*the vet wasnt adamant she needed surgery imediately but said it may be necessary in the future and prescribed anti-inflammatories. He has left it up to me to decide.

This afternoon she is acting as normal, no more episodes but has had the anti inflammatories.

Questions:

1. Considering this weekend is the first time it has seriously and repeatedly bothered her should I wait and see how she goes? Paying for the surgery is not an issue but at the moment feel like I would be rushing into it.

2. can anyone give me specific reccomendations for conservative treatment options (e.g. exercises, joint supplements etc) for this and is it worth trying these or would we just be delaying the inevitable?

Thanks wonderful doggy ppl!

[Pugmum]

One of my dogs has had the operation on both knees - not at the same time.

We treated with anti inflammatoreis for as long as possible (Maggie was about 4yo at this time). she was having trouble every time she got up, could not walk on any soft surfaces - sand, doona etc and sometimes her leg was at a 90 degree angle from her body when she got up. she was miserable. So surgery on the worst knee was done without any hesitation.

The other deteriorated quickly over the next year and before it got as bad as the first one, we had it operated too.

That said, I have friends with dogs that have luxating platellas that have never progressed to the stage Maggies did and they manage with anti inflammatories when needed (one is on a small dose of a powdered one daily). They alos give glucosamine joint formua.

Definitely see how it goes - as with Maggie, there may be some things you need to avoid ( soft beaches, sand etc).

You cant go wrong with glucosamine - it wont cure it, but will make it more comfortable.

[poodle proud]

One of my dogs has had the operation on both knees - not at the same time.

We treated with anti inflammatoreis for as long as possible (Maggie was about 4yo at this time). she was having trouble every time she got up, could not walk on any soft surfaces - sand, doona etc and sometimes her leg was at a 90 degree angle from her body when she got up. she was miserable. So surgery on the worst knee was done without any hesitation.

The other deteriorated quickly over the next year and before it got as bad as the first one, we had it operated too.

That said, I have friends with dogs that have luxating platellas that have never progressed to the stage Maggies did and they manage with anti inflammatories when needed (one is on a small dose of a powdered one daily). They alos give glucosamine joint formua.

Definitely see how it goes - as with Maggie, there may be some things you need to avoid ( soft beaches, sand etc).

You cant go wrong with glucosamine - it wont cure it, but will make it more comfortable.

Thanks a lot pugmum for your reply

Im glad to hear maggie is doing well.

Although middi was sore over the weekend she is generally doing fine and forgets she even had a sore leg. Thanks to me doing night shift and sleeping during the day she has been resting a lot the past few days.

Its good to hear You didnt have to get it done straight away. I think I'll just keep watching and see how she goes over the next few months.

Thanks for the heads up on the glucosamine.

PP