Faro
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Has anyone out there had any experience with dogs with Patella Luxation? In particular, with the surgery to remedy this?
I understand the "terrier hop" is quite common, especially among JRTs, but people seem to leave it be if it just happens on occasion. Ronnie is a Beddie/Whippet (therefore part Terrier, although not JRT), and is now about 17 months old.
I first noticed an occasional "skip" with his right hind leg a couple of months back, we didn't worry about it at first as it was just occasional. However in the last few weeks it has got noticeably more frequent, and, when at first we only ever saw it in a slower run (never when he does "proper" zoomies"), and one hop at a time, we're now seeing several "skipping" strides in a row, and now also the occasional appearance of this in trot as well as run. So it's definitely on the increase. As far as I can tell, Ron is feeling no pain (but then again, there could be loads he isn't able to tell me).
We believe this to be a classic case of patella luxation. I'm afraid I don't want to just ignore it and put it down to being a Terrier thing. He will be checked out at the vets in the very near future for confirmation.
IF I am correct in my diagnosis, I understand there are surgical options. I will need to think long and hard before making any decisions about this so I was wondering if anyone out there has put a dog through surgery of this kind and how it went/what the experience/outcome was - or has anyone any other tips/suggestions for dealing with patella luxation please?
I understand the "terrier hop" is quite common, especially among JRTs, but people seem to leave it be if it just happens on occasion. Ronnie is a Beddie/Whippet (therefore part Terrier, although not JRT), and is now about 17 months old.
I first noticed an occasional "skip" with his right hind leg a couple of months back, we didn't worry about it at first as it was just occasional. However in the last few weeks it has got noticeably more frequent, and, when at first we only ever saw it in a slower run (never when he does "proper" zoomies"), and one hop at a time, we're now seeing several "skipping" strides in a row, and now also the occasional appearance of this in trot as well as run. So it's definitely on the increase. As far as I can tell, Ron is feeling no pain (but then again, there could be loads he isn't able to tell me).
We believe this to be a classic case of patella luxation. I'm afraid I don't want to just ignore it and put it down to being a Terrier thing. He will be checked out at the vets in the very near future for confirmation.
IF I am correct in my diagnosis, I understand there are surgical options. I will need to think long and hard before making any decisions about this so I was wondering if anyone out there has put a dog through surgery of this kind and how it went/what the experience/outcome was - or has anyone any other tips/suggestions for dealing with patella luxation please?
I know a JRT locally who leg appears withered it has so much muscle wastage on it from constantly hoping on the other leg. I fail to believe this dog is in no pain at all.