Dislocated Knee
by Maureen
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Please help! I just got back from taking my 5 yr old chip to the vet. Last night he started limping, not putting any weight on his right rear leg. This is the second time in 2 years this has happened. This time the vet said his knee was dislocating and that he should have surgery! He showed me how easy it was for the knee to come out. I said I wanted to think about it but really I wanted to ask you all what I should do. I checked the archives but the discussions all seemed to be about younger babies - not ones as old as chip. The vet gave me pain pills - etogesic, 1/4 tab a day - for him. I don't want to do the surgery!! It seems so drastic but I don't know what the long term affects might be without it. The vet said arthritis but is there anything else. I've seen previous discussions about the dangers of surgery and anestic (sp) so this is not my first choice BUT I do want what is best for my boy. I should mention that chip is usually an incredibly hyper baby - pinging off the walls would be a great description. Now all he wants is to be held. This is wonderful but not my boy. Any advise you can give would be welcome - even if its just to waylay my fears. Thanks.
DISCUSSION:
Maureen, I have a 6 year old maltese, Baby, with the same problem..my vet said medial patella luxation (dislocated knee). Like you I read the posts in the archives and found they pertained to younger pups. Since Baby had exhibited no previous signs as a pup and was now carrying her leg (for 3 months!) I decided to see a specialist recommended by someone on this site! I discovered that Baby also had a torn ligament causing the severe limping. She is scheduled for surgery on Monday Oct 19.
If Chip continues limping, maybe you should see a specialist before you decide on the surgery?? I will try to update after
Baby's surgery. I feel so much better with this new vet! Good luck to you and Chip. Linda
Linda T
The patella luxation is considered to be, in most cases, an inherited condition although it can be from an accident sometimes. In a young dog with a mild luxation it may not be noticed but as the dog gets older it can then show up by an occasionally 'hopping' in the gait. This also can go unnoticed by those not familiar with the condition. It can then develop into a painful situation for the dog with pain on every step. Please don't put off the surgery too long as it will not get better by itself. I would look for a orthopedic specialist if possible, one that is used to tiny dogs. Breeders have worked hard through the years to breed away from this condition but it can still show up. It is not 'normal' for a Maltese to have this.
Mary Lou
Thanks Linda and Mary Lou. I've got an apppointment with Cindy Smith tomorrow to discuss what I should do. I appreciate your information. Linda: let me know how your baby does OK.
Maureen
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
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