Lexie/ Dislocated knee
by David
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hi, Lexie dislocated her knee on Friday. I believe the official term is Luxated Patella. Not clear how it happened. She was playing with a deliverman when it happened. I feel terrible and guilty. She is in sad shape. The Vet said she may need surgery. She only weighs six pounds but the Vet told us she should have lost a pound. I saw a previous post on bad knees and read the archives. Anyone have experience where the knee pooped back and the Maletese didn't need surgery?
Thanks
DISCUSSION:
David, sorry to hear about Lexie. I, for one, would NOT rush any surgery unless she is in constant pain. Baxter's knee would go out occasionally when he was playing and he would cry in obvious pain and not be able to put any weight on it. I would hold him for a while and GENTLY straighten his leg out (well, more DOWN than out). In a matter of minutes, he would be fine - just like nothing had happened. This probably happened a half a dozen times. Each time getting further from the last. It hasn't happened in over a year at least. The vet says his kneecaps are still "loose" (one more than the other), but it doesn't seem to bother him anymore. Good luck with Lexie.
Marie
Hi David. How old is Lexie? The reason I ask is because when our Maltese was younger, I'd say under two years old, she would occassionally get the same thing as your Lexie. She'd be running around and go to make a sharp turn and all of a sudden yelp out in pain. Then she would limp for a while. The vet said she might need surgery. He also said her knee caps were very lose and he could push them out of joint with his thumb. We waiting and now I'm very glad we did. She has not had one single episode with her knees in the last several years. (She is 4 years old now). She still runs around like a little maniac so in some cases at least, this is something they could possibly outgrow. But I'd still listen to your vet. But if he/she thinks surgery is best, I'd get a second opinion.
Sandee
Poor little Lexie! David, don't feel guilty, our little fluffballs are very susceptible to this. How old is Lexie? I've been told it's best not to encourage them to jump or go up and down stairs until they're at least 6 months. Snowy (Sim's baby) had the same problem when he was very young, the vet told them to cut out play that encouraged Snowy to do lots of jumping and dancing on hind legs.....he is one year old and fine now without surgery. I guess the vets can tell whether it's likely to be an ongoing thing requiring surgery (in which case having the op will really minimise arthritc damage) or whether it will resolve when the bones are fully developed. If you are unsure, get a second opinion from an orthopaedic vet........and do give Lexie a big hug from us!
Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)
Lexie is 2 1/2. She has been running around like a little maniac since we got her. Never had a problem. Thanks for all the advice.
David
David, My Bailey had a luxating patella when she was under a year old. I took her to the vet and he put it back in place. Then, he VERY CAREFULLY showed me how to do it in case it happened again. The vet and I discussed surgery, but tried a more conservative approach first. He put her on one week of a mild muscle relaxants and I had to keep her very quiet. This means no jumping, playing, running, etc. This was the hard part! I kept her on a very short leash tied to a piece of furniture, and just moved her from room to room with me. I had to do the combination of medicine and resticted movement twice, but it worked. Bailey is now 3 years old, and doesn't have any knee problems. Hope this helps!
Ellyn
Hi, my little boy Cod also has this, he was born with it from what the vet said and it is very common in this breed. PLEASE before you get the surgery, get a second opinion. We just took our boy to the vet and they said it can cause other probl;ems like arthritus, they gave us RIMADYL for arthritus, and it has helped beyound our hopes! One week on t helped him, they said it will take a few months and to keep his weight down as it is hard on the knees, he is about 3 pounds more than they'd like. But pleas e ask about it, it helped him, and it's happened before, but never had the results like we did with this! good luck,
gail z
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