What is luxating patella?
It means to put out of joint the kneecap. Or the kneecap is out of joint or dislocated.
There is a small ridge on either side of the kneecap and in normal situations it would be deep enough to hold the tendons in
place that go over the kneecap. But in some instances these ridges are not deep enough and the tendon can slip off of its
place over the knee. In mild cases of this, the dog may suddenly limp for a few steps and then take off again or you may
not even notice it exists.
What causes it?
It is generally considered to be hereditary, however, outside factors must be seriously considered in determining the
severity. Trauma can most certainly aggravate the condition. But so can other environmental factors such as physical
activity and diet (a dog being overweight).
How serious is it?
There are different grades of this condition. And the severity depends on the grade.
Grade 1 is the most mild form. You may not even know it exists unless your vet tries to palpate the knee themselves and
discovers it during an examination.
Grade 2 is the next most severe. But you may have noticed your dog stretching its back leg out behind it or "skipping" when
it runs. This is one indication of a problem of this sort.
Grade 3 is more severe yet and may present with your dog showing more pronounced and more frequent lameness.
Grade 4 is the most severe and the dog presents with an obvious deformity in the rear leg(s). You may see the leg pulled
up towards the body and the dog unable to walk on that leg.
Treatment is varied and is almost on a case by case basis. Treatment depends on the severity and the dog's age at the time.
What is the long term prognosis for this condition?
It is generally accepted that this condition will worsen with age, although how badly or how quickly is not always easy to
know. It can be expected as part of life in an older dog, like arthritis. And a dog with this condition will most likely
develop arthritis in its old age.
Can it be prevented?
It is a very common problem in small breeds and therefore very difficult to avoid. As much as 85% of small breed dogs
have or will develop this at some time in their life. However, breeding practices can play a very large part in the
development or avoidance of this condition. And those same breeding practices will also play a part in the severity of it in a
particular dog.
What can you, as the buyer, do?
It is essential to have a good, honest relationship with your breeder. Talk to them; ask them questions. They know their
breed(s) and their dogs.