My poor Korben - Patellar Luxation

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Shutterbug

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A few weeks ago I posted that Korben has been running around and suddenly started yelping and crying and hobbled off into his bed on 3 legs - gave us all a helluva scare but 5 mins later was walking normally and seemed fine - we thought he had maybe just pulled a muscle so we rested him for a few weeks and he would intermittently lift his back right leg and hobble around looking all sorry for himself - I would stretch his leg and give him a rub and he would be fine - but I noticed a popping coming from his knee over the weekend and he was on 3 legs more than he was on 4 all day so back to the vet we went this morning.

He appears to have patellar luxation , a common knee problem in dogs which we are told may require surgery. It's unusual in bigger dogs and we are not sure which grade he has - if he has a grade 1 he wont need surgery, anything over that and he will :( So, the vet gave him some pills to take and he says it will depend how he feels after 10 days of taking those - if there's no change, its a referral to the doggy orthopeadic clinic for xrays and possible surgery.

Another week of limited walkies which he is coping great with given he is malamute and used to big walkies. Hes being very patient and stands nicely while we rub his leg and pop his knee back in bless him.

Anyone any experience with this? And should I tell his breeder that he has this? I'm not sure if its passed down but if it perhaps she should be made aware?
 
He has given him a 10 day course of Caprieve 50mg and he is to go back once they are finished. If he has not improved by then they will do x-rays and refer him to the Ortho doggy person.
 
It is not uncommon in northern breeds. Definitely tell the breeder.

Swimming is the best exercise - if you restrict movement too much the joint often becomes worse.
 
Probably it may need surgery,maybe he will only need the joint capsule tightening..rather than the whole thing where the trocheal groove needs deepening as well. Either way it will need months of on lead only steady exercise.
 
The exercise restriction is a ruddy trauma: training seems to go out of the window. :( I've started teaching things just to keep pup thinking cos he can't run much.

When are tou back at the vets?
 
I don't know which is worse, restricting exercise and keeping them entertained or having to exercise and entertainment on top. :confused:
 
Yikes!!! He just had a mad dash around the living room with me chasing after him trying to get him to stop - vet said gentle walking only - don't think Korben quite heard him :D

Hes back at vet in 10 days cinammontoast - so guess we will just have to wait and see how the leg goes once the tablets kick in. Fingers crossed guys. :)
 
I mix up exercise and entertainment :)

When pups are too young to do heavy exercise, that's when you put in the groundwork for later and then keep reinforcing it till they grow.

CT, this is a PERFECT time to teach all sorts of things and lots of dogs get more tired from thinking/training than just walking/exercise - let's face it, most of the breeds we have were built to run for hours and then come back for more, it isn't a bother to them.
 
Indeed - I just did 20 mins of "lets balance a biscuit on Korbens nose" and hes now fast asleep at my feet lol
 
My Yorkie had a luxating patella when I first got him at 8 months from a rescue centre. In fact, he had been on crate rest for a while with the rescue as they were of the opinion he had an injury, but I think it was probably his patella problem, it's very common in terriers. I had talked to the vet about having the op, but the problem disappeared once he was about 12-18 months. I think his developing muscles helped stabilise the joint, I guess it was only a low grade luxation in his case.

I don't know about larger breeds, I suspect with more weight to bear they may be more likely to need intervention, but there's always hope he may improve as he reaches adult development.
 
An update for anyone interested:

Korben was improving with the medication the vet gave him but over the last few weeks has been showing signs of a slipping patella again so I had him back at the vets yesterday. He has been referred to the Osteo specialist in Stirling and will very likely have to get surgery for it. I have informed his breeder as vet says its hereditary and I felt she would want to know. Will keep you all updated. My poor big lad :( Im going to try and time his surgery with my own so we can recover at home together lol :D
 
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