Comments on: Luxating Patella – A Dog’s Trick Knee

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:08:35 +0000

Jade: Prayers going out to your pup. Please let us know how your dog progresses. I think everyone on this post will be thinking of you. Best wishes!

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:51:32 +0000

Hi Brittany! My surgeon told me to put her in absolute cage rest. She was only allowed out to potty and NO STEPS! She was allowed to try to use the boo boo leg to walk outside. In fact, they encouraged her to try and use it, but on a very limited potty basis. Then it was back to the crate. As far as laying on the leg, I let her lay in whatever position she felt comfortable in. Your dog is probably protecting its boo boo. Check the incision from time to time. Make sure the stitches are holding tight. Of course in a perfect world we would want the dog to lay on the other leg and let the boo boo leg heal and get air on the incision. But who knows what it feels like to have that kind of surgery. It may be more comfortable. Remember to be patient with the recovery and don’t do too much too soon. Follow your vet’s instructions carefully and check the wound for signs of swelling or redness and report that immediately to your vet. Best wishes for a solid recovery!

By: Brittany Gettis

Brittany Gettis — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:54:24 +0000

Thanks for sharing yours and Skye’s journey with us. My dog is 4 years old and we adopted him from a shelter, he is a lab mix. We just had to get him surgery for a luxating patella on his left knee. Everything is so far so good but we are super super paranoid about every move he makes! So I just have a few questions since you have gone through this yourself! He just had his surgery today, is it ok if he takes a few steps and holds himself up to use the restroom? Also is it ok if he lays on the leg that the surgery was on? I’m just so worried because even if we try moving him he keeps laying on that side!! Thanks so much and have a great day.

By: Jade

Jade — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:45:06 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to post such detailed info. My 10 yo pom has surgery in the am and I am soaking up all the info I can. I am nervous, but he is in good hands with my vet.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:25:08 +0000

Oh Maureen, how I appreciate your words of encouragement. As much as I know that this is what Skye needs, my stomach drops every time I think of what they must have to do to correct this. (Of course it didn’t help that I watched a partial YouTube video of the procedure.)
Thanks for the virtual hand holding!
So appreciated,
Bonnie & Skye

By: Maureen

Maureen — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:17:34 +0000

Hi, everyone! I adopted Toby, a Boxer-Hound mix dog, who had 2 luxating patellas at age 2. He was given up by his original family bc the vets at Petsnot quoted $10,000 for the surgeries. My wonderful Vet was able to have a surgeon do both knees, one of which took 2 surgeries, for about 1/3 of that. And it’s a good thing, too, bc he is the world’s greatest dog.
He required a bit of rest afterwards, but no PT. I do have to keep his weight down, which is not easy. He is fully recovered and 8 years old now. No problems ever with his legs! We were fortunate to have such a great Vet and wonderful Surgeon! Best wishes to all families who need this kind of therapy!

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:23:55 +0000

Thanks Kevin! Check back here mid to late October. I will post pictures and describe the procedure to the best of my ability. You can watch Skye recover and we’ll see if this operation does the trick. We won’t know until six months from the surgery date. Paws crossed!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:33:13 +0000

Best wishes to Skye and Milo.
I have a 3 year old Golden and she is very active. Thank you for sharing this condition with us. I will be aware and watch out for this…

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:05:53 +0000

What you describe certainly sounds like a patella issue. However, I’d have the vet check Milo and get a professional opinion. If it is diagnosed as a luxating patella, it is unlikely that a stage one or two diagnosis in a young dog would require surgery. But knowledge is power and it is always best to have the issue checked out so that, if necessary, you can adjust Milo’s activities until the situation is remedied. Discovering this while the dog is young and before arthritis sets in is very fortunate. Keep us posted, if possible. We’re here to help each other.

By: silk269

silk269 — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 05:48:09 +0000

I recently noticed that my 1 year old Golden would come up lame and I thought he hurt his hip. He runs at the beach and plays hard with his other golden friend. He came to me and leaned up against the couch and had his one leg lifted. I put my hand around his “knee” area and moved it a bit and I could hear a click and then he was fine. It has since happened about 5 times that I know of. I haven’t gone to the vet to ask but I believe it’s luxating patella. Thanks for posting so I can see the process of what I may likely have to go through with Milo.