Does Your Dog Have Luxating Patellas?

Luxating patellas or kneecaps is a condition that affects a lot of dogs but especially small and toy breeds are genetically more prone to developing this. Essentially this is where the patella pops out of its normal position. It can be either a minor or more severe luxation where in some dogs, it tends to stay out most of the time. Today let’s look at why this happens and if there are some natural remedies that can help improve the overall joint, so stay tuned for more.

So if your dog has loose kneecaps that pop out from time to time, this is what is known as luxating patella. Typically the patella is held in place by a ligament known as the patellar ligament. In most dogs it is a genetic weakness although trauma to the joint can also cause it in some cases. If you dog has a luxating patella, what signs and symptoms might you notice if your dog has luxation. . Depending on how severe the luxation is, some dogs will just hop on one leg from time to time and this is often considered very mild. Other symptoms include limping, holding up one hind leg, bowed hind legs, unable to climb stairs, and or sitting with the knee abnormally turned out. Symptoms can start from when your dog is a puppy or develop along the way. The long term effects include potential chronic inflammation in the joint and associated arthritis. Luxating patellas are usually graded from 1-4 (mild to severe) and for those dogs with a grade 3 or 4 luxation, surgery is often required. While your dog may not experience pain with a mild luxation, the more severe it gets, there is more likelihood of pain and discomfort. So while those very severe cases of luxating patellas are most likely going to respond best to surgery, what about a more mild or moderate luxation and the general care of such a ‘loose’ joint. This is where both your dogs diet as well as herbs and supplements can be really helpful to not only improve the strength of the joint but also reduce the incidence of arthritis in late years that typically can occur in dogs with this weakness.