Luxating means to be dislocated or out of place. A luxating patella in dogs is simply a kneecap that is out of place. The first sign of a luxating patella begins with dogs skipping while they are stepping or running on three legs. Visit us here at Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics if you are concerned about your dog’s luxating patella. Sometimes, it may be necessary for your pet to undergo orthopedic surgery depending on the severity of the displacement.
Causes & Symptoms of a Luxating Patella
When the thigh muscles in a dog begin to contract, they can force the patella ligament to be pushed into the knee joint too far. Over time, the knee cap will end up loose as the groove begins to wear down and becomes displaced.
If you notice your dog limping, you can be sure that something is not right. Limping may only occur for a short time, but there is a lot of pain and discomfort associated with a displaced kneecap. It will usually cause your dog to fall. This is something that normally only occurs very early in a dog’s life. Without treatment, a displaced kneecap can turn into arthritis and other complications.
Cures & Treatment
If you are a pet owner with a dog experiencing a patella displacement, you can be sure that there is hope for treating your dog’s patella displacement. However, if your dog currently suffers from arthritis, he or she may end up needing additional medications or procedures.
The most effective treatment option for a luxating patella is surgery where the patella ligament is attached permanently to another location. The surgery ends with the knee joint casing becoming constricted.
There are certain breeds of dogs that are more likely to experience a luxating patella than others. These include:
- Yorkshire terriers
- Maltese poodles
- Basset hounds
- Pugs
- Chihuahuas
- Cocker spaniels
- Australian silky terriers
Visit Us if Your Dog Has Issues with a Luxating Patella
The best thing to do to prevent a luxating patella in your dog is going to be the same method that you use to prevent any other major trauma from happening. If you have a dog with known patella luxation, you should avoid breeding it. Luxating patellae are known to be inherited. Puppies are more likely to develop luxating patellae if they have parents with the same condition.
If you think your dog may need dog orthopedic surgery for his luxating patella, give us a call here at Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics for an appointment today.