Small Dog Patellar Luxation: Causes, Symptoms, and Trea

About the Patella

In simple terms, the patella in dogs can move with their actions. It slides in and out of the groove of the knee bone as the joint bends and straightens. However, patellar luxation occurs when the patella no longer stays in the groove, leading to wear and tear as the patella moves with the joint's bending and straightening. This can cause pain in the dog, prompting them to instinctively avoid using the leg with patellar luxation.

The patella is a small bone embedded in the tendons of the thigh extensors, located within the knee joint's groove. The patella shown in the illustration is the one outlined below.

Generally, dogs' patellar luxation issues are categorized into two types: internal and external, where the patella pops out of the knee groove. Some small breeds, due to genetic reasons, have a naturally shallow groove, while others may develop luxation due to activities like running, jumping, and frequent standing. Initially, this may manifest as intermittent hopping or lifting the leg to touch the ground, and in severe cases, it can lead to limping.

Grades of Luxation

Patellar luxation issues can be detected as early as 4 months in dogs. They are generally categorized into four grades:

Grade 1:

Dogs do not experience severe pain. The patella occasionally pops out of the groove temporarily but can return to its original position on its own. They may occasionally lift their leg while jumping or walking, but quickly recover. Correction and recovery can be achieved through restricted activity and massage under medical guidance.

Grade 2:

There is noticeable pain in the joint, with the dog experiencing more frequent hopping. Touching the patella or massaging it may cause pain or the dog may become agitated and avoid the joint area. Conservative treatment can still be chosen, involving restricted activity, massage, and regular followups under a doctor's guidance.

Grade 3:

There is persistent pain in the joint, which may lead to arthritis. The patella pops out of the groove quickly after manual manipulation, and the dog may bark in pain during massage.

Grade 4:

The patella is difficult to manipulate back into the groove, and the dog may exhibit bow legs or other issues. The dog experiences significant pain, which is persistent. Generally, cases of grade 34 luxation require surgery to avoid recurrent pain and the risk of ligament rupture.

Causes of Luxation

Genetic Issues:

Some small breeds have a naturally shallow groove due to genetic reasons, particularly in ultrasmall and teacup breeds. From a health breeding perspective, it is not recommended to breed these dogs. While ultrasmall breeds may be cute, there is a high possibility of bone deformities, not just in the patella but also in the spine and tibia.

Nutrition Issues:

Malnutrition and obesity can easily lead to patellar luxation due to increased knee joint pressure. Simply put, being too thin can lead to underdeveloped bones, while being overweight can cause the dog's thin legs to struggle to support their round bodies.

Exercise Issues:

Excessive exercise during the puppy's growth stage can easily lead to joint problems and is not beneficial for bone development. Some training behaviors, such as standing on the back legs, bowing, and jumping, should be avoided as they are unnecessary and harmful.

Treatment Options

The treatment for patellar luxation can be roughly divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment, both of which must be based on restricted activity and rehabilitation.

Conservative Treatment

For dogs with patellar luxation grades 12, conservative treatment can be adopted. In addition to learning some joint massage and realignment techniques under a doctor's guidance, you can also complement physical recovery with dietary supplements and external fixation, and it is also very important to avoid overeating.

In terms of dietary supplements, it is crucial to add vitamins C and E to help with inflammation recovery, as well as chondroitin, omega3 fatty acids (such as fish oil), and glucosamine. Dog owners who feed fresh food can give their dogs more deepsea fish, colorful vegetables, and fruits, which are rich in glucosamine and chondroitin and can help alleviate pain and arthritis to some extent, with good taste and relatively high price. You can also purchase or make external fixation aids for dogs under medical advice, and limit activity, such as splints or bandages, and some hospitals also have complete external fixation aids for selection.

Surgical Treatment

Patellar luxation surgery is relatively simple for experienced doctors. It is important to consult and choose the right doctor and hospital. The cost of patellar luxation surgery ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 yuan, in addition to the necessary examinations, Xrays or CTs during followup visits, and subsequent hydrotherapy rehabilitation costs.

Before choosing surgical treatment, make sure you are a responsible pet owner.

Currently, patellar luxation surgery mainly includes patellar groove reconstruction surgery, steel pin/nail fixation treatment, etc., depending on the specific situation of the dog. Before surgery, make sure to communicate with the doctor about the matching of the steel pin/nail with the dog's joint and understand the risks of anesthesia.

According to data from 2016, the success rate of patellar luxation surgery for grade 4 luxation is generally about 93%, but there are certain risks:

1. Anesthesia complications

2. Displacement of the steel pin/nail used for fixation

3. Arthritis complications

4. Infection in the dog's surgical area

Therefore, everyone needs to be fully prepared mentally. Postoperative rehabilitation and care are also timeconsuming and laborintensive processes, and you need to work hard together with your brave little dog who has undergone surgery.

Postoperative Recovery Suggestions

1. Provide a diet rich in nutrition, complemented by vitamins and trace elements, and improve the dog's diet according to medical advice.

2. Limit activity, and allow the dog to rest in a quiet small space after surgery.

3. Perform rehabilitation methods such as hydrotherapy based on followup results.

4. Take antislip measures for home floors, tiles, and other surfaces.