Chihuahua has slipped knee joint!* UPDATE* Pictures

[Dorothy39]

My son and daughter-in-law have owned a very sweet Chihuahua since January. Maybe a few of you have read my posts about our Miura.She is 7 months old now.

I have fallen head over heels in love with her since they got her!!!

Well, to get to the point, Miura injured herself last Thursday during a bath. She strained real hard , attempting to crawl out of the bath tub,(he also had his Springer/Lab dog, Lillie, in the tub as well) ,

After her bath,My son put a towel around her and took her outside. She let out a YIP after taking a few frisky steps, and since, has held her left hind leg up, walking on three legs. I'm sure Chihuahua owners have seen or heard of this condition. They brought her down to our house soon afterwards, and, I told them to make an appointment with their Vet ASAP!!!

They finially got the chance to get an appointment at their Vet. Miura has been diagnosed with a slipped knee joint. The Vet could feel inflammation as well and gave them an anti-iflammatory medication .,But wait, there's more.

Their Vet advised surgery to correct (I'm guessing the patella) joints' position. I wish I had accompanied my daughter-in-law this morning

My question: With the information I have given, is there a chance that this surgery can be avoided? As, their Vet was momentarily able to put the knee joint back in place --I am just hoping that the quadricep muscle, once relaxed, will allow Miura's knee joint to stay in place. I wish I had seen the x-ray. I have so many questions to ask their Vet now. I'm wondering if the ridges of her femur bone are too shallow, or, if she has suffered an injury that went un-noticed.

[bckrazy]

I know people from Flyball with large dogs whose elbows have slipped during practice. It's not a normal thing for the elbow/patella to slip out of socket so easily, so it's probably a sign of luxation to come. Some people, who have meticulously trained their dog to build muscle, had dogs who were healthy and had healthy elbows for 1-2 years mostly due to great muscle mass (eventually, it was only safe to perform some sort of correction). But, if their Chi does have luxating patellas, it's only a matter of time before things get worse. If they do not feel comfortable with thier vet, by all means get a second opinion.

This is a very common genetic deformity in Chi's, unfortunately. It has seemed to escalate since so many BYB's have been breeding the poor pups.

[DrKym]

oh Kathy! Im so sorry i will send prayers for your little granddog! Hope all is well soon keep us posted!

[Dorothy39]

Thank-You so much for your reply bcKrazy!!! Since receiving the phone call , I've done some research into luxating patella. Your reply agreed with most of my findings. I'm feeling pretty blue about this so far

I've also read about Chihuahua dogs since they bought one. I suspected a problem with her knee joint, but I was still surprised when I heard the news from my daughter-in-law.

Poor Miura, probably was poorly breed . Now I am in a better understanding with the term, "puppy Mill" or is it,. ,

I sure do love that little dog!!!!!!

[bckrazy]

I'm really sorry I hope she feels better soon, and can get the surgery done (if needed) with no complications.

If it eases your mind at all, I know LOTS of dogs, from Chi's to Labs, who have had hip or elbow surgeries. A staffordshire terrier on our team had double hip surgeries, and a couple weeks later she's fully recovered and swimming every day and happy!

I agree with you about crappy breeders... it's so sad, and so preventable. The thing is, they don't care whether the pups they produce develop painful conditions later in life.

[Pam]

I had a toy poodle years ago who had a luxating patella. The first time it happened he was boinging up against the sliding door asking to go out. After a big yelp he wouldn't put that leg down. I took him to the vet and he showed me how to slide it back into place but advised that surgery would correct it, if it occurred too often. Long story short, he had the surgery and there was never a problem after that. I bought Pumpkin from a couple whom I now realize were backyard breeders. Neverthless he lived to be 17 years old and was the sweetest little boy.

[Dorothy39]

Oh thank-You all so much for helping me cope with this dilema!!!

My son knows how concerned I am and he brought her to our house this afternoon. Miura was so happy to see me!!! He told me that they are going ahead with the surgery to correct the cause, as, the anti-inflammatory medication is only to help ease her discomfort now. They have the use of a crate, which Miura uses often., she mostly has the run of the house, but is not allowed to jump onto furniture!!!
My son reasurred me that surgery is the best option now. They've cancelled her appointment to have her spayed on the 27th in lieu of this upset.

I told him that I suspected poor breeding, but he didn't feel that this was the case. Well, I sure hope not!!! Miura has been such a god send for me !!!!!

I am grateful for all the positive feed back from Pet Talk members!!!I'll keep you up-dated on Miura of course.

[bckrazy]

I'm glad they're handling it well and she's getting the surgery she needs.

IMO, it would be very very unlikely that any dog from a good breeder who tests their breeding stock would develop luxating patellas at such a devastatingly young age. Did they get a contract with their puppy? A good breeder also guarentees against genetic complications (including luxating patellas) for at the very least 1 year, preferably 2 or more, and will either pay for the surgery or pay the owner back for the price they paid.

[wolfsoul]

My friend's chihuahua has a luxating patella. He is getting surgery to correct it. The vet said that's the only thing that will help -- if she keeps it the way it is, his knee will keep being ground away at.

Good luck!

[Dorothy39]

I'm glad they're handling it well and she's getting the surgery she needs.

IMO, it would be very very unlikely that any dog from a good breeder who tests their breeding stock would develop luxating patellas at such a devastatingly young age. Did they get a contract with their puppy? A good breeder also guarentees against genetic complications (including luxating patellas) for at the very least 1 year, preferably 2 or more, and will either pay for the surgery or pay the owner back for the price they paid.

Oh yes, My son told me that she has PAPERS!!! ,no mention of such a contract though. I'll bring the subject up when I see him again.

I felt their deep concern for Miura, so, I didn't press the issue while he visited. My daughter-in-law got her from a friend at work and paid her $175.00. Miura was born sometime in November , I can't remember the date they went to pick her up, but I know she was 8 or 12 weeks old

Thank-you so much for this reply.

[Dorothy39]

My friend's chihuahua has a luxating patella. He is getting surgery to correct it. The vet said that's the only thing that will help -- if she keeps it the way it is, his knee will keep being ground away at.

Good luck!

That is what two seperate Vets told my daughter -in-law as well.

I'm just so darned worried about dear Miura. I'm praying that she will lead a long and healthy life. Such a sweetheart of a dog!!!!

[mruffruff]

Did they say why they couldn't spay at the same time as the leg operation? I would think they could do both and save $$ and another anesthesia.

[Dorothy39]

Now that you mentioned it, thats a good idea.
Miura's Vet recommended this surgery be done in one of two places, either by a specialist in Grand Rapids, or, at M.S.U.

She had a standing appointment at her regular Vet to be spayed on the 27th.

I wonder if this specialist , in Grand Rapids, might do both procedures? Hummm, Good point!!! I'll have them check on it. Thanks!!!!

[juju]

The same thing happened to my cavalier king charles last week. The vet was able to put the Patella back in place, and informed me that they would only operate if he couldnt get it back in by hand. I have just bought a magazine and in it was a write up about luxating patella, it says that swimming is a very good exercise for the dog. And keep there weight down.
Hope your dog gets on ok.


julie

[juju]

It can be a hereditary condition or the result of a trauma.