Luxating Patellas

[HollywoodNVegas]

Hello all! I have a Newfie puppy who has luxating patellas in both her hind legs. Due to her age....she's 13 weeks....we (us & the vet) are trying to hold off on surgery for another few weeks. She is a great girl :-) My question is .... do have any suggestions on how to keep her busy without being real active. She adores our Lab and is constantly trying to play with her.... we have finally dog-proofed our play pen for her ...they kept breaking her out! We want her to feel as loved as possible and as "satisfied" as possible over the next few weeks of being low-key. THANKS!!! :)

[beeniesmom]

Hi,
If I were you, I would wait a little longer than a few weeks for surgery. We had the same problem with Beenie. As she grew and her bones got stronger, the problem disappeared on it's own. I hope the same will be for your lil one.
Just try to keep her from jumping. I know it will be hard, but it may save her the disconfort of surgery.
PS: Welcome to PT.

[sammy101]

Have you tried Kongs?It keeps my 2 buisy for a while.
Kongs (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 5350&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036532&bmUID=1117645867886)
i agree with BeaniesMom,i would probably wait a little longer than a few weeks
Welcome to PT!:)

[HollywoodNVegas]

Unfortunately our little girl is not going to be able to wait much longer. Her luxations are bad :( She is carried around a lot when there are steps or obstacles because her legs have started to give a little to much.

[wolfsoul]

Is your dog's breeder reputable? If they are, they should have given you a health warantee on the pup. Most warantees will either give you half of the initial price of the pup back, or replace the pup. You might want to see about getting the money to help pay for the surgery.

I agree about Kongs. They are awesome! Just fill them up with peanut butter and treats, or cream cheese and goodies, and the dog goes crazy trying to get it all out. You could also buy one of those "treat balls." You put the treats in and the dog has to figure out how to get the treats out. I'd also stock up on nylabones and other "safer" chews that she can be left with while you are gone.

[KYS]

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy.
I hope her future will be very bright with the surgery.

It's hard to keep a young puppy from playing hard.
Many years ago when Sheba hurt her neck my two
were starting to squabble. I had to separate them
for 6 months when I left them alone. When they were under supervision I would
not let them play ruff. They got use to the routine.
(but Sheba was a mature dog).

Good luck, not easy to do with a lab and a 13 week pup.

[HollywoodNVegas]

We have an incredibly reputable breeder who is taking very good care of us. She feels horrible about our little girl.

[lizbud]

From all I've read about this medical problem, it is inherited,
or strongly suspected to be. In a pup that's 13 weeks old, it
could hardly be acquired so early.Perhaps the breeder should
not breed the sire & dam anymore. I hope the pup recovers
well, but it's a shame you & the puppy have to deal with this at
all. Good luck.

http://regaliapyrs.tripod.com/medical_testing_defined.htm

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by lizbud
From all I've read about this medical problem, it is inherited,
or strongly suspected to be. In a pup that's 13 weeks old, it
could hardly be acquired so early.Perhaps the breeder should
not breed the sire & dam anymore. I hope the pup recovers
well, but it's a shame you & the puppy have to deal with this at
all. Good luck.

I completely agree! If the pup is this young and already has it, it just has got to be genetic. I'd strongly suggest that you tell your breeder to discontinue breeding these dogs in her program and certify the rest of her related stock for luxating patellas.