Dogs and Luxating Patellas

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

My girlfriend found out today her little chihuahua has to have surgery to correct a luxating patella. That's where the knee gets out of joint, and is apparently a fairly common happening among small dogs, especially pure-breeds. She was lucky enough to be recommended to a surgeon in Orange county who specializes in just these things so it should be pretty straightforward.

Has anyone had a dog who has had this surgery? How was the dog afterward? Was full mobility restored? Is the dog in much pain and what is the recovery time. Chiquita is a pretty active dog so my girlfriend is worried how she is going to keep her calm and not racing around right after the surgery.

 

[Gecko of Gorn]

My Staffie underwent the procedure about four years ago. Fortunately all he needed was a deepening of the trochlear and no ligament work.

Dude has been an absolute champ since.

 

[Kestra]

I believe this is what happened to our family's Pomeranian a few years back. He was purebred and I was led to believe that it wasn't that unusual a condition, unfortunately.

He did take some time to recover and there was a period afterward where he was still limping, and we had to do a bit of therapy with him (basically put him in the tub and have him swim, which he absolutely hated). The good news is he has seemingly recovered completely and is a happy, healthy and active dog today.

 

[SmoothieX]

My dog just got spayed last week. Hopefully that's all the surgery for a while.

Good luck with your pooch.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

When our Westie was still with us, at age 14 she damaged her "Crushure"? I know that's not the write word or spelling....it sounds like that. Anyway, it was some sort of damage around the 'knee' on one of her back legs.

Being that she was already 14 it was going to be dangerous to have to put her under and do the surgery. But we didn't think twice. There was no way we were putting her to "sleep".


The old girl did just fine and she lived another 2-1/2 years til the ripe old age of 16-1/2. Your dawggie will do fine.

 

[Sakrysta]

"My chihuahua Chiquita has a luxating patella."

I'm sorry, but say that five times fast and see if you don't giggle.

Hope she's better soon!

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

All is very well except for her attitude. Chihuahuas apparently were not made to sit still for two weeks as her sad little face can attest to.

 

[Sakrysta]

Awwww! I just want to snuzzle her all over!

 

[Yeoman Randi]

OH MY GAWD!!!!!!!!! SHE IS SO FREAKING CUTE!!!!!!!!!

 

[SmoothieX]

Glad to see your pooch is on the mend DJ. Those eyes are so sad looking.

When our Westie was still with us, at age 14 she damaged her "Crushure"? I know that's not the write word or spelling....it sounds like that. Anyway, it was some sort of damage around the 'knee' on one of her back legs.

Just catching this now...was it her 'cruciate' that she damaged?

There's a B&B I like in Maine where the owner has 3 Westies roaming around. They're fun little dogs. I saw the Dogs 101 piece on them as well.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

SMOOTHIE, yes, that's the word. It was her cruciate. She was 14 when she had the surgery for it.

Westies are amazing, tough, smart, fun dogs. When she passed at 16-1/2 i swore i would never have another dog. It was just too painful when she died. Three weeks later i had to have another dog. The house was so empty without one. We looked at westies but i couldn't do it. THAT was painful, looking at other westies. So we ended up with Cairns that are basically the same dog, only different hair color.

If i understand correctly, they ARE the same dogs. A bazillion years ago, white cairns that were born were killed! Eventually someone took to breeding the other colors out to make only white cairns, which became westies.

 

[SmoothieX]

^ Yeah, I know what you mean. I think I'm done with Labs after these two. It just wouldn't be the same. I think it will be the Vizsla phase for me after the Lab phase.

As long as they like hiking, fetching, and swimming, they're ok in my book.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

^ I couldn't even HOLD a westie puppy without breaking into tears.

At first i felt guilty getting another dog, like it was 'so easy to replace her'. When i really thought about it, i realized that actually, i felt it was more of a testament to what an amazing dog she was...

 

[SmoothieX]

^To the Enterprise and the Stargazer... old girlfriends we'll never see again.