anko
Newbie
Posts: 2
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Post by anko on Dec 27, 2014 20:36:48 GMT
Hi everyone I'm new to this forum and should probably do an introduction post at some point!
For now... I'm asking if anyone has experience with luxating patella in their dogs... and preferably, those who have dogs with luxating patella's but chose to not have them operated on.
I have a now 10 year old terrier. Around 2 1/2 years ago, he was diagnosed with luxating patella in his rear left leg. At the time the vet diagnosed it as a 'medium' level two... with the help of physio work and exercises, it came down to a low level one.
It now generally only 'pops' out of place if he's walking quickly on long grass or if his body is slightly twisted before moving off. It pops back in immediately without any issues. However on an average walk it can pop out of place anywhere between 3-6 times depending on where we walk & the terrain plus his activity.
I chose to not have him operated on. The vet advised that with the aid of supplements, strength building exercises and control exercise, it can be managed. He is also reactive to strangers and although is much better than when we first rescued him all those many years ago, he still finds the vet touching him very stressful. He also detests the whole vet practice environment (working on this separately).
I have to say though that I'm not overly impressed with my vet and am currently looking around at others. Whilst I'm doing that, I thought I'd seek others who have had experience with luxating patella.
It doesn't seem to affect him in anyway... he will run, run and run as well as try to investigate everything in the long grass. Though he has never been fat, I have taken some weight off him and am really happy with his current weight. He has a back on track coat which he wears every night for three weeks and then has one week off (not sure if they actually do anything but can't lose anything by it!). He was given green lipped mussel on recommendation from a friend. We ran out on this a couple of days ago but have been thinking of switching over to riaflex. We do strength building, balance work etc. around 3-4 times weekly plus I'm toying with the idea of hydrotherapy.
My worries are that he is in pain (I say worry... I mean slightly obsess!) even though the vet said at the time it doesn't cause pain to the dog (which I'm not sure I really believe in?!).
I also worry that the activities we do, will make it worse. He's a very active 10 year old and if I take both of my boys out he will always try to keep up with his younger brother from another mother (3 year BC). Basically I'm a completely worry wart! If anyone could offer their experience, I would be most grateful.
Have attached a photo of the gorgeous boy himself.
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Post by orpheous87 on Dec 27, 2014 21:21:45 GMT
Hi anko, welcome to the forum! Your terrier looks like a right cutie! Unfortunately, I don't have any experience of luxating patella in dogs. A friend's JRT was initially diagnosed with one a couple of years ago, but it turned out to be his cruciate ligament instead, so not much help. However, after looking into it, I found this article on Dogs Naturally Magazine - www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/treatment-options-for-the-luxating-patella/That suggests that if it's only a grade 1, it is unlikely to really trouble your dog and can be helped with exercise and supportive nutrients. So I'd say keep on giving the green lipped mussel, but maybe also consider the Canine Joint Plus from Riaflex (Riaflex also do GLM) as the two work well together, and it sounds like the amount of exercise you give won't do any harm. I would think that hydrotherapy would only help too. My ESS goes to hydrotherapy as she has mild hip dysplasia and needs to build up muscle tone on her hind legs. She started off by swimming, but is now using the underwater treadmill with good effect. Good luck!
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Post by caz2golden on Dec 28, 2014 9:29:15 GMT
cazypops I think is probably the person to help with luxating patella as I am sure Jasper had issues. One of mine has a low level luxating patella. I have it checked at the yearly check ups but the thought is she has carried it from birth and it has so far not got any worse (diagnosed at 2-3 yrs old). I have been told how to put it back in if I ever need to. I was told to put her on a joint supplement.I try and keep mine lean side of correct weight (though she is in my mind getting cubby at the moment) and as active as I can to keep the muscles and ligaments strong. It was picked up when I complained that her joint clicked all the time. Since change of diet and keeping up with regular joint supplement I have not heard any clicking of her joint. She has so far not had much issue in stiff or limping department. She did have an odd event earlier in year think a basset must have knocked her knee and she screamed the roof down (think its the first time she put joint out of place), but within 5 mins she was back to normal and no further issues. However she can be an old grouch and does not tolerate dogs jumping on her back half or in her face (there are only a select few who get away with doing these things). I do think that she will not tolerate this due to her leg. I do think it must cause discomfort, like any joint issue does in a human. She loves people to death. Mine does try and regularly can out pace my other dog who is 3 yrs her junior (be it running or swimming). From what I have read above anko you have done extremely well with your dog and I hope mine gets to 10+ before needing any type of intervention. I have not tried the Riaflex but have considered it for my dog. It does look to be an excellent supplement.
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Post by cazypops on Dec 28, 2014 16:32:18 GMT
Hi anko welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't offer any advice on Luxating patella and I've no experience of this condition as caz2golden suggested. I have a parsons russell terrier with a partially dislocated hip though. He get an injection every six months that helps maintain the fluid around the joint and is working fine for him. Sorry I don't know the name of the drug. Even though we don't take him to hydrotherapy he does go swimming in the river in our local park or the lake, and this has done him a power of good in building up the muscle in his leg, to the point now that you can't tell anything is wrong with him just by looking at him. We don't give Jasper any joint supplement at the moment but in time, as he gets older we will. He's only 2 years old. Sorry it's not much help, but I agree with the others that the exercise and supplements your giving are the right way to go.
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Post by caz2golden on Dec 28, 2014 17:29:05 GMT
Hi anko welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't offer any advice on Luxating patella and I've no experience of this condition as caz2golden suggested. I have a parsons russell terrier with a partially dislocated hip though. He get an injection every six months that helps maintain the fluid around the joint and is working fine for him. Sorry I don't know the name of the drug. Even though we don't take him to hydrotherapy he does go swimming in the river in our local park or the lake, and this has done him a power of good in building up the muscle in his leg, to the point now that you can't tell anything is wrong with him just by looking at him. We don't give Jasper any joint supplement at the moment but in time, as he gets older we will. He's only 2 years old. Sorry it's not much help, but I agree with the others that the exercise and supplements your giving are the right way to go. oops, sorry!
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Post by cazypops on Dec 28, 2014 19:52:55 GMT
That's ok caz2golden, it's nice to know that you remembered that Jasper had a joint problem, even if it was the wrong joint.
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anko
Newbie
Posts: 2
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Post by anko on Jan 2, 2015 0:36:15 GMT
Thank you all so much for the quick replies!
Thank you for the link orpheous87 ... will look into the Riaflex joint care. Have heard very good things about them.
That's interesting caz2golden. Andy's is due to injury (didn't even realise it happened at the time as it was so quick!). Running and walking is fine.. if he is to hop, it will be when he's trotting over grass or the transitional stage from trotting to walking.
Thanks very much guys.. put my mind at rest .
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Post by orpheous87 on Jan 2, 2015 19:41:56 GMT
You're welcome I got an email with a 10% off code for Riaflex the other day. If you decide to use them, just put newyear10 in at the checkout. Typically, the email arrived a couple of days after I'd ordered a new tub for Pepper -_-
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jan 18, 2015 9:29:38 GMT
I have no experience myself - however I would just like to say your little terrier is such a cutie and looks to be thoroughly enjoying his walks!
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jassycat1
Settling in well!
Posts: 99
Animals I love: Cats, dogs, birds, all wildlife with possible exception of larger sharks
Pets I own: Cat Hugo, Russian Blue
Dog Panda, Poodle / King Charles Cross
Also resident: possums, wallabies, kookaburras and magpies, and many other small marsupials and birds.
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Post by jassycat1 on Jun 13, 2018 7:18:00 GMT
cazypops I think is probably the person to help with luxating patella as I am sure Jasper had issues. One of mine has a low level luxating patella. I have it checked at the yearly check ups but the thought is she has carried it from birth and it has so far not got any worse (diagnosed at 2-3 yrs old). I have been told how to put it back in if I ever need to. I was told to put her on a joint supplement.I try and keep mine lean side of correct weight (though she is in my mind getting cubby at the moment) and as active as I can to keep the muscles and ligaments strong. It was picked up when I complained that her joint clicked all the time. Since change of diet and keeping up with regular joint supplement I have not heard any clicking of her joint. She has so far not had much issue in stiff or limping department. She did have an odd event earlier in year think a basset must have knocked her knee and she screamed the roof down (think its the first time she put joint out of place), but within 5 mins she was back to normal and no further issues. However she can be an old grouch and does not tolerate dogs jumping on her back half or in her face (there are only a select few who get away with doing these things). I do think that she will not tolerate this due to her leg. I do think it must cause discomfort, like any joint issue does in a human. She loves people to death. Mine does try and regularly can out pace my other dog who is 3 yrs her junior (be it running or swimming). From what I have read above anko you have done extremely well with your dog and I hope mine gets to 10+ before needing any type of intervention. I have not tried the Riaflex but have considered it for my dog. It does look to be an excellent supplement.
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Post by lotsofcats on Jun 13, 2018 9:15:50 GMT
Some good information for you there jassycat1.
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