Patellar Luxation in dogs is common in small canines belonging to toy breeds such as the Boston Bull, the Lhasa Apso, the Pekingese, the Poodle, and the Pomeranian. This condition involves the slipping or luxating of the kneecap sideward, creating joint problems for the canine pet.
Patellar Luxation in Dogs Symptoms and Treatment
Pet owners caring for small dogs must take of the following signs indicating patellar luxation:
- When walking or running, the pet dog skips or hops;
- The pet dog holds the affected leg up when running;
- The dog suffers from arthritis in the knee;
- The dog manifests progressive lameness; and
- The dog cries out in pain when running or walking.
Treatment of the Patellar Luxation in canines depends on the severity of the condition. If the dog exhibits a worsened state wherein skipping and hopping is more prevalent and pain is obvious on the joints, doctors may require surgery to correct the problem.
Vets classify the severity of Patellar Luxation by grade, with the following delineations:
- Grade 1. This is the stage wherein affected dogs do not manifest, or show very little clinical signs.
- Grade 2. This is the stage wherein the patella does slip but returns to its normal position easily. As such, the dog may skip for a little bit on occasion, but such an occurrence is quite rare and the skipping may appear to be normal.
- Grade 3. This is the stage wherein skipping is becoming more frequent and the patella has trouble returning to a normal position when it is pushed out of its grove.
- Grade 4. This is the stage when the affected legs are so painful that the dog does not use them.
- Grade 5.This is the stage wherein the dog’s gait is stiff, or the canine is altogether immobile.
Patellar Luxation in Dogs Surgery Cost
The surgical cost to correct patellar luxation varies, and depends on the following factors:
- The expertise of the doctor;
- Fees in using the facility;
- Fees for medication such as anesthesia, and painkillers;
Fees for medical tests such as x-ray and others.