Upward fixation of the patella

[savannahmelody]

My new two year old section A is showing signs of this,when he first sets off if stood for a while he is dragging one hind leg then he suddenly jerks it forward and walks sound and all other times he is fine showing no sign of lameness at all.
Not called vet out as its the weekend and as he seems in no distress think it can wait till Monday and I recognize the signs as a pony I had years ago also suffered from the same thing.
Im hoping when vet comes out he tells me it is because he is young and as his muscle tone etc improves it will improve rather than he will need surgery.
My question is if this is the case what excercises would you suggest for a 2 yr old welshie to improve is condition.

 

[fallenangel123]

Hi,

my miniature pony mare suffered from this as a two year old, She was stabled every night and some mornings she would be stuck until it would pop and off she'd go. Occasionally it would be both stifles. The vet didn't think intervention was necessary at her young age, bu advised walking her in hand up and down hills to strengthen the muscles and tendons.

She is four now, and since the walking out it hasn't happened since. Hope this helps.

 

[savannahmelody]

That sounds like him,they are stabled during the day as my other welshie has sweet itch and when he comes out of his stable at night you can see it and also first thing in the morning when I go to bring them in when I have obviously just woken him up,when he goes out or when we go for a walk he is fine.
Should be no problem hill walking where we are and wont do me any harm either lol

 

[teach]

My WB 3yrold developed this as a yearling, and the vets said exactly the same as fallenangel-lots of hill walking and pole work in hand to strengthen his back end. As such he is now turned out on a hilly field which is building his back end fabulously!

 

[Finlib]

This is not uncommon in youngsters.I would be most suprise if a vet recommended surgical intervention at this stage at this age It is the sort of thing they grow out of and usually once the are walking out or longlining it disappears.
If it gets really bad and continues into 3-4 year old then they can x ray to look for a small bone hook on the joint but this is most uncommon and like the others say I wouldn't be worried at this stage.