We know that a visit to the vet can be stressful when you’re dealing with unfamiliar medical jargon, an under-the-weather pup, and the uncertainty about what’s actually going on with your furry best friend. That’s why we’ve approached a few of our favorite pet experts from Rover’s Dog People Panel, veterinarians Dr. Rebecca Greenstein and Dr. Gary Richter, and asked them for some assistance in breaking down some of the most common pet afflictions. Read on for some straightforward information that’ll help put your mind at ease, and will also help you communicate with one of the most important people in your pup’s life – their veterinarian!
What exactly is Patella Luxation?
Patella luxation is an extremely common condition that can occur in pets when their kneecap moves out of its normal location. “Basically, the normal anatomy of the knee requires that the kneecaps lives in the groove,” our trusted all-things-veterinary expert Dr. Rebecca Greenstein shared with us. “However, with patella luxation, instead of staying in the groove, the kneecap dislocated inwards, or less commonly, outwards, creating misalignment.”
Though this is prevalent issue for dogs, it is something that tends to occur more often in small breeds like Chihuahua, Bichon Frise, and Maltese dogs, and it’s usually considered a genetic condition.
What are the symptoms of this condition, and how can I help my pup avoid this health issue?
Dr. Greenstein also offers some insight about how you can tell your dog might be dealing with this condition. “Any time anatomy of a joint is disrupted it creates issues with walking or running,” she cautions. “Dogs that are dealing with this condition often hop or skip when they walk or run, or sometimes they even limp continuously. Sometimes they’ll land from a jump and yelp, and not put their leg down.” She also warns that your pet is more vulnerable to this condition when they’re in a situation where there is high impact on the knees – like jumping off the bed or couch, or playing an especially rollicking game of fetch.
According to Dr. Greenstein, to keep your pup healthy, it’s a good idea to avoid anything that could concuss the knee. It’s also good to be proactive and do things like put ramps in to help your dog access the bed, and attempt keeping them away from high places, etc. It’s also important to manage their weight, because extra pounds can add more stress to the joints and increase health risks like arthritis.
When should I take my dog in to see the vet?
If you’ve noticed your pup dealing with any of the symptoms we discussed above, it’s probably time to take them to the vet to get checked. Luckily, this is one condition that is fairly easy to diagnose, and most vets will be able to tell if your dog has patella luxation just by feeling their kneecap and seeing if it’s in the correct position.
Are there any specific questions that I should make sure to ask them?
According to Dr. Gary Richter, one of Rover’s trusted Dog People panelists, there are definitely a few things that you’re going to want to ask your vet. “You’ll want to know what level your dog’s condition is at, because it can range from 1 to 4, with 1 being minimal and 4 being a severe case,” Dr. Richter says. “Some dogs with ‘grade 1’ will have no signs of limping or discomfort so may not need anything done – you’ll just want to keep an eye on things.” He explains that for milder conditions you can use medical interventions, and for higher grades there are excellent surgical options that you can look into.
And is there anything important that the vet need to know about my pet?
Since it’s essential that your vet really understand what is happening with your dog’s injury, Dr. Greenstein suggests keeping a diary of their limp (or other symptoms) that you can share at their appointment. “Keeping a diary of the limp is very helpful, especially if you give details about when it occurs, and when it goes back to normal,” she says. “Then you both will be able to see a pattern that can help determine what’s actually going on.”
Help! What if I don’t understand everything my vet is talking about?
Just remember, it’s always appropriate to check in with your vet with any follow-up questions or concerns that you have. Though we’ve tried to break down the medical jargon into easy-to-understand content, we know that some of what you hear when you’re in the office might be confusing and even scary. Don’t be ashamed to ask for clarification! It’s always better to get input from a real, live person versus trying to decipher your vet’s words by searching online.
Don’t forget, your dog is depending on you to keep them healthy, so do your best to be your furry friend’s advocate!