Patellar luxation in dogs
Patellar luxation is (usually) a hereditary condition where the kneecap is loose. Normally, the kneecap is positioned in the groove on the thigh bone. Sometimes, in a dog, the groove in the thigh bone is too shallow and the attachment of the patellar tendon is slightly too far inward; as a result, the kneecap slips out of the groove inward. The kneecap can slip out on both the inside and the outside of the knee. Patellar luxation that slips inward mainly occurs in small dog breeds such as the Parson Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, miniature poodle, miniature pinscher, and the Kooikerhondje. Patellar luxation outward is rare. This form occurs in large breeds such as the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Chow Chow. This form often occurs after trauma combined with a twist in the thigh bone.
The symptoms seen in the dog depend on how severe the patellar luxation is.
- Walking with a lifted leg
- Difficulty standing up and walking
- Walking with bow legs and a kind of frog-like gait
The cartilage can eventually become irritated when the kneecap slides back and forth, resulting in inflammation or even osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis then causes the dog to have even more pain in the knee joint.
Treatment of Patellar Luxation in Dogs
Dogs whose kneecap occasionally slips out have a mild form of patellar luxation and do not need treatment. Pain relief and symptoms of any osteoarthritis can be managed by giving your dog joint-supporting supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. If your dog suffers from a severe form of patellar luxation, surgery is often the only possible treatment. The veterinarian classifies the severity of patellar luxation into four grades:
- The kneecap slips back on its own when pushed out of the groove.
- The kneecap slips out of the groove when the knee is bent.
- The kneecap can be manually pushed back but remains permanently beside the groove.
- The kneecap is permanently beside the groove and cannot be pushed back.
