Patellar luxation in dogs is the most hereditary disease of the kneecaps on the hind legs. When the patella is dislocated, the kneecap jumps out of its groove, which leads to considerable pain. A dislocation causes lameness and is manifested by walking on three legs. Learn all about canine patellar luxation in this article.
What is patellar luxation in dogs?
The patella is the dog’s kneecap. With a luxated patella, the kneecap gets out of the guide groove of the thigh and is outside of its functional area. This can tear the joint capsule and disrupt the entire mechanism of the joint, causing the dog severe pain. The dog’s kneecap acts as a reinforcement of the tendons. As soon as your dog suffers from a luxation of the patella, this is reflected in the gait pattern. It relieves the affected hind leg and is sensitive to pain. Contrary to many other diseases in dogs, this kneecap problem usually occurs in the first year of life. After all, the muscles and the tendons are not fully developed in young dogs. Due to the high urge to move in young dogs, the risk of a patella luxation increases.
What is Patellar Luxation in Dogs?
When the patella is dislocated, the kneecap jumps out of its groove, which causes considerable pain in the dog.
Causes of a luxated patella in dogs
The kneecap can be damaged by genetic defects, improper nutrition, overuse, accidents, but also by age-related wear and tear. A veterinarian can usually identify the cause quickly and accurately.
Genetic luxation of the patella
Patellar luxation is unfortunately in many cases a hereditary disease. The kneecap and its guiding groove are already genetically defective in one or both parents. Reputable breeders therefore have the patella of the parent animals examined before mating, as is the case with joint dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), which is also hereditary. Only with the finding “free – not dislocatable” in both parents and their ancestors can the hereditary too flat shape of the plain bearing or weak retaining ligaments and muscles of the kneecap and knee joint capsule be ruled out in the offspring.
Patellar dislocation due to malnutrition
A lack of nutrition in the first year of life of the dog can lead to growth disorders, which can result in a luxating patella. Especially from the second month of life, puppies have a high energy requirement due to the enormous growth spurts. It is important to cover this with a wholesome and needs-based diet. A balanced supply of calcium (e.g. in eggshell flour) and glycosaminoglycans (e.g. in green-lipped mussel flour) is particularly important for the joints and bones.
When do I have to go to the vet for a dislocated patella?
When the patella is dislocated, the dog is in pain, so it must always be treated by a veterinarian.
Overuse and accidents
Obesity in dogs can also promote patellar luxation. Likewise, a regular temporary overuse of the joints. This often affects dogs that are busy with the throwing ball or the Frisbee on the walks. The heavy stopping or the hard landing when jumping puts enormous strain on the joints and kneecaps. Experts say that up to eight times the body weight is put on the joints during such movement sequences. Unfortunately, this type of activity also regularly leads to accidents in which the dogs’ kneecaps are pulled in passion.
Finally, there is age-related wear and tear of the patella. The natural wear and tear of joints and cartilage, which is often referred to as arthrosis, can best be counteracted with a high-quality diet. The green-lipped mussel meal mentioned above should be one of the building blocks. Likewise, devil’s claw and white willow can support and have a positive effect on synovial fluid, joint cartilage, ligaments, tendons and kneecaps.
Which dog breeds suffer particularly often from a patellar luxation?
Smaller dogs are more likely to be affected by the disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is mostly hereditary. The so-called miniaturization is also suspected to be the cause, as a result of which originally larger breeds become smaller and smaller. However, larger breeds can also be affected by a luxated patella. In larger dogs, the kneecap tends to “slip” outwards, while in smaller dogs, it dislocates inwards. Chihuahuas, Spitz, Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and other small dog breeds are particularly susceptible. But Appenzell Mountain Dogs or Flat Coated Retrievers are also increasingly suffering from the disease.
Is Surgery Necessary for Patellar Luxation?
As a rule, a patellar dislocation can only be corrected by surgery. After that, rehabilitation is also required.
Symptoms: How do I recognize patellar luxation in dogs?
If the kneecap has jumped out of its guide groove, i.e. dislocated, this is painful for the affected dog when it is subjected to stress. In order to avoid pain, he will then try to put as little strain as possible on the hind leg in question. This causes the dog to only want to walk on three legs. It is also often observed that there is a hopping locomotion, since the aching leg is no longer tried to put on.
When do I have to take my dog to the vet?
If you only occasionally see that your dog wants to rest one of its hind legs or has the hopping gait described above, which is interrupted by normal walking on all four paws, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Experts refer to this gait as intermittent lameness. Another injury such as a cruciate ligament tear may also be present. The sooner this unnatural gait pattern is examined, the better for the dog. If you wait for your dog to show pain, it may be too late for less invasive surgery. Dogs only show that they are in pain very late, because in nature this means that they are weak and therefore potential prey for opponents.
What helps with patellar luxation in dogs?
When a dog has a patellar dislocation, it is painful for him. An operation is therefore almost always necessary.
Treatment methods: Is an operation necessary?
There are different surgical options for a diagnosed patellar dislocation. These depend on the degree of severity of the deformity achieved. The costs for an operation also depend individually on the severity of the patellar dislocation.
The best treatment method is the one that brings the kneecap back into its guide channel in a sustainable and permanent manner. The guide channel for the kneecap is deepened. A guide groove prosthesis may help if the patellar luxation is recognized late and the guide groove is already badly damaged. The damaged guide groove is rasped off and a prosthesis is attached to the bone, in which the kneecap is held again. Only the treating veterinarian can determine which treatment method is the most sensible and promising.
As a rule, an operated patella luxation has a good healing success. After the operation, however, absolute protection and a leash are the order of the day. Any quick or abrupt movement by the dog can ruin the success of the surgery. The result is a renewed appointment under the scalpel. Rehabilitation, which is absolutely necessary, can usually begin four to six weeks after the operation, once the patient has healed well.
Which dog breeds are particularly affected?
Small dog breeds are more likely to suffer from a patellar luxation. Therefore, a look at the studbook is particularly important. But large dogs are not immune to a luxating patella.
Conclusion – Patella luxation in the dog
A luxating patella is almost always a hereditary problem that occurs more frequently in smaller dogs. Reputable breeders make sure to only breed with parents that are patella free. This is noted in the breeding papers! The sooner a patellar dislocation is treated, the faster the dog will be pain-free.
