Luxating patella, any experience? Or something else?

[Tinkerbee]

My last dog was well known for only ever needing the vet/stitches/having drama on Bank Holidays and thus rinsing my (parent's...!) bank account, and new one appears to be following in even more dramatic pandemic lockdown style...

Anyway, Ted (Border Terrier x JR almost 3) has had a sporadic issue with his leg (maybe once every 6 months if that, for one evening at a time), but its happened twice (once, mildly) in the last week, and seems particularly bad tonight.

If he'd had a strenuous day (a long walk on holiday, a particularly mad tennis ball game are when its happened previously) he will seem fine during the activity, but then that evening (maybe after resting/eating) he will suddenly leap up, be slinking around, shaking, and licking/chewing at his back left "knee". It was so intermittent and short lived each time I never really thought much of it, the usual "oh I'll mention that to the vet next time" but then it goes from my mind.

Tonight he seemed very distressed (now happily asleep!), and if anything we've had a very lazy day, a very sedate walk, no ball throwing to trigger it etc. Its the same back left leg, he doesn't seem any more or less distressed when I manipulate it (gently!) and I've had a look at all his paws/claws no issues. He doesn't want to move from his bed, but then when he does get up, will be leaping/slinking/running/racing up the stairs (to get away from the pain?), but not limping/noticeably lame on any one leg as such, just the licking of that left leg.

Luxating patella came to mind a while back as a possible cause, I've done a bit of googling (!) but just ended up confused so wondered if anyone had any experiences. Does it usually manifest as more chronic, and you'd notice something amiss day to day? (he doesn't do the "terrier skip" for eg!) Whereas this seems more acute? Or maybe its v mild but then aggravated with running etc?

He was chewing the feet and legs off himself this eve, I guess as a distraction, but maybe it could be an all round joint issue?

I'll be calling the vets in the morning, although typically he'll be right as rain with nothing to show them on a video consultation. I thought I'd ask on here to see if I'm talking absolute nonsense with the LP or not. Assuming diagnosis is with physical examination, or does it need xrays generally?

To add to the complication, OH is currently in A&E ( nothing too dramatic.. ) and I'm meant to be shielding, so no one currently able to be taking a dog to the vets in the next day or two at least, typically. Eta- Obviously if it gets worse and he needs to go, there are people I can get to help but...timing!

Sorry that was a lot of waffle for "but yeah I'm calling the vet so never mind good night..." Any musings welcome

 

[Smitty]

My 6yo Lakeland/Patterdale/JR has been chewing his stifle/knee? joints like mad for the last week or so which I have assumed is his increased use of my stairs over the last 8 weeks, as I was feeling very poorly and remained largely in bed for 8 or so days, jumping on and off my bed, settee and wall in the garden which involves negotiating the barracade I have built in an attempt to stop him doing just that. For the last couple of nights he has been crated in my bedroom as preceding that he was tearing up and down the stairs at night, jumping on and off my bed as there was wildlife in the garden and he wanted to go and sort it out.

When he was 2 he started 'hopping' and I consulted the vet who said not luxating patella, I asked if we could xray, he said he usually recommended physio first but go back if it got worse.

Went back when he was 3 as was still concerned and he was comprehensively xrayed, nothing showed up. He showed signs of pain when the vet pressed certain points on his back and when vet did the knuckle test he was very slow in reacting so was put on Gabapentin and also physio fortnightly with very restricted and controlled exercise.

He improved considerably over a period of time with the knuckle test displaying normal reactions and no signs of back pain. Gabapentin were stopped a year ago and physio has been considerably reduced to 6, 7 or 8 weeks.

His physio, who comes to my house, last came in early March and he would have been seen by now, so I am also wondering what to do. Ideally, I would have her look at him first and then if chewing persisted see vet, but...

 

[Smitty]

Anyway Tinkerbee, I certainly think you are right to be 'aware' of it.

I do no ball throwing, try my best to limit/stop his jumping on and off things, limit the use of the stairs (mine are a bit too steep and narrow to carry him) and lift him up steps etc, which is a challenge in itself on the SW coast path!!

I hope your OH improves and things get back to normal for you (and all of us ??).

 

[Tinkerbee]

That's interesting thank you, sounds like it would definitely need a physical examination either way so I'll see what the vet says and carry on restricting too much haring around the place! Hope your boy isn;t too sore!

 

[MissTyc]

My border terrier X has a luxating patella. It's been apparently since he was about 6 months old. The vet said we'd "keep an eye on it" ... 2 years ago, so I'm hoping it never gets worse as of course it's now a "pre-existing condition" for insurance purposes. So far, so good. It doesn't cause him any distress at all and presents quite typically with a sudden locking and consequent inability to use a hind leg. It doesn't even slow him down these days and he tucks his leg up and keeps going until it unlocks.

 

[Tinkerbee]

Thanks for this, Ted isn't the most stoic of dogs (!) but doesn't seem to be presenting as a locking/skip and carry on sort of thing.

 

[deb_l222]

It sounds to me more like a cruciate ligament issue. Cruciate ligament tears / ruptures always cause arthritis and this will worsen over time. If it's worse when he's been asleep, it sounds like arthritis.

Luxating patellas are funny things. Some pop out, then pop straight back in (the hop). Some stay out and cause massive inflammation which require lots of rest. One thing I have learned is little dogs usually dislocate one way and bigger dogs the other and I can't remember which way is which (anterior or posterior). Willow's was the worse one!!

A vet should be able to tell you immediately, just by putting their hands on the knee, if it's luxating patellas. They are very obvious.

 

[Tinkerbee]

This household already has enough dodgy ligaments/arthritis, I'd at least like a bit of variety..! That does sound probable, have left a message with the vets so hopefully theyll have an in person appointment soonish