Knee problems...Maltese male

I have a Male Maltese that is 13mos old. while jumping at the kitchen cabinet for a treat he started to cry. I checked him out and there didn't seem to be anything wrong, although he continued to favor that leg. I called an emergency vet who said to give him 1/2 baby aspirin and call a vet on Monday ( it was Sun.) I took him to my vet, who said it was a slipped knee cap. She referred me to a canine ortho vet who will see my little guy on 1/21/97. I wanted to know if this is common to this breed as this pup is my first maltese. I called his breeder who said all 'toy' breeds have the tendancy. Is this a weakness that I should deal with the breeder over? People have been telling me to "tell the breeder you want a new pup" or "tell the breeder you want your money back". Please advise. thanks
Linda Phillabaum

I have a male maltese with the same type of problem. The vet said that the groove the knee cap is supposed to slide in isn't large enough and the knee cap keeps poping out of place. He said that a lot of the smaller breeds have this problem. He said that most dogs tough it out but some will need surgery. He said they could go in and make the groove deeper. I have a n 11 yr. old female that had a similar problem but she gradually got over it. Good luck with your dog.
Tully
My Maltese has had knee surgery on both knees, but it was not until after she was over the age of 10 and, therefore, old age played somewhat of a roll. My yorkie mix, who runs at about 4.5# had knee surgery at the same time he was neutered. But he was found in a dumpster, so we think when he was dropped into the dumpster a long drop for at that time a little under a pound, less than a month old puppy -- the damage was caused.
As a bit of good hope, neither animal has had to have repeat surgery on the knees that were operated on.
As to the (expletive deleted) that said to "tell the breeder you want a new pup" I hope then meant an additional one and not for you to trade in your current one. Animals are loving creatures not bond with us and love us, not a car that you trade away when it doesn't work right -- and I am not accusing you of such callousness or you would not be concerned enough to write. Just tell those people they should maybe be glad their folks didn't take them back to the hospital to trade in, when they had something wrong.
As to getting money back from the breeder -- I'm no breeder, as I think everyone knows by now -- but you dog is 13 months old. And nothing in life is guaranteed. More than likely your Maltese just jump wrong and had a little freaky landing, like many people who sprain an ankle or twist a knee skiing -- since it is winter and I live in Denver, CO and have done that.
So that's my advice from one that's been there. It was an accident and accidents happen.
Rebecca
I live with a 13 year old tiny guy. He has the knee condition you described. In all the years I've known him he has only had two episodes of painful inlamation. Both times he was given baby asprine for the inflamation, and within a few days he was back to normal. Your Maltese is about the easiest thing in the world to fall in love with and spoil. It is facinating to see how energetic and capable they are . But they can hurt themselves when they jump from high places like chairs & tables.Having a puppy you have the opportunity to set some ground rules and take some precautions. If you allow him on the bed (of course you do) teach him to use a step stool. I keep a stack of toss pillows on the floor at the foot of my bed and he uses them every time.I also have to be sure that all the diningchairs are slid under the table.That is the vantage look out point (this breed is the ultimate watch dog).
Darlene