Chihuahua has slipped knee joint!* UPDATE* Pictures

[Dorothy39]

:( :eek:

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) :eek: ,

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 :confused:

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. :eek:

[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,. :mad: ,

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!!! :rolleyes: 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!!! :confused: ,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 :confused:

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.

[Dorothy39]

Miura had her surgery this morning and we have since heard from my Son and Daughter-in-law.

Oh, poor little "Meer-Cat will have to stay over night there. The specialist told them that this is a genetic /breeding condition and was due to happen at any time. The tendon in front of her knee joint was mis-aligned , so, she eventually would have laxating patella, or, crocked joints , pain, etc. if this had not been done now. Her other knee joint appears to be fine according to his findings.

I told my Son about the dangers of Rimadyl, as that is the anti-inflammatory medication that was given to her since this trama occured. I was reasured that Miura will be taking it for a week or less. Still, given the fact that she had this abnormality, the chances of her having several more might be quite possible.

I'll just use the nick-name, Abby Normal , for her until she gets better. I have to rely on my sense of humor when I get overly worried.

Thank-you for your concerns and your replies.

Prayers for Miura!!!

[Daisy and Delilah]

Hi Dorothy, My Daisy has a luxated patella and she's had it since she was about one year old(she's 5 now). My vet doesn't recommend surgery for her right now but it could happen eventually. She gets around great with it but I do have to help her get on top of the sofa/chair/bed sometimes. I have foot stools and steps all over the house for her. Me and my vet don't think she's having alot of pain so she is ok for the time being. I understand that this condition is fairly common in Chihuahuas. One of my son's Aussie's has a luxated patella also and his vet has trained him on putting the knee back in place. He gets around great also and is like a rocket dog most of the time. I wish your son best of luck with his little Miura. I'll pray for a quick recovery for her. :)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Miura had her surgery this morning ...

What did the Surgeon say about "restricting" her activities?

My SmokeMutt had (has) a Luxating Patella - right rear used to go out on him
several times a week when he was about 1.5 - 2.5 years old.

Specialist said he could "fix-zit" with surgery - BUT SmokeMutt would have to
be confined on a http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif LEASH for 2 to 4 months ... NO running of jumping at all!

Smokey decided to try learning to live with his bum knee ... which has turned out
to be an almost Total Success!! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif

* He got to where HE could *pop* it back into place whith a shake or a stretch.

* If he couldn't get it back into place, he'd *hop* over to me and hold out the knee
for me to work on. I got pretty good at "Knee Poppin"!

* And he learned how to "condition" the bum knee/leg ...
For a while he did his hard runnin on three legs - tuck up the bum one and
go like the wind on three!
Then I noticed he was "skip runnin" - sometimes on three, sometimes on all four ...
working on building up the bum knee and weak leg ...

At 6 years old - you have to look very closely to notice he had a problem.

Be sure to ask Miura's Vet just how active she can be.

/s/ Phred

[Dorothy39]

What did the Surgeon say about "restricting" her activities?

My SmokeMutt had (has) a Luxating Patella - right rear used to go out on him
several times a week when he was about 1.5 - 2.5 years old.

Specialist said he could "fix-zit" with surgery - BUT SmokeMutt would have to
be confined on a http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif LEASH for 2 to 4 months ... NO running of jumping at all!

Smokey decided to try learning to live with his bum knee ... which has turned out
to be an almost Total Success!! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif

* He got to where HE could *pop* it back into place whith a shake or a stretch.

* If he couldn't get it back into place, he'd *hop* over to me and hold out the knee
for me to work on. I got pretty good at "Knee Poppin"!

* And he learned how to "condition" the bum knee/leg ...
For a while he did his hard runnin on three legs - tuck up the bum one and
go like the wind on three!
Then I noticed he was "skip runnin" - sometimes on three, sometimes on all four ...
working on building up the bum knee and weak leg ...

At 6 years old - you have to look very closely to notice he had a problem.

Be sure to ask Miura's Vet just how active she can be.

/s/ Phred


ha ha ha ,

Well, as you can see, I haven't learned how to quote just one sentence.

As for restrictions and activities, My son told me , (over the phone) that the specialist wasn't concerned about anything :confused: Apparently, a specific tendon had completely slid over the knee joint, pulling onto the patella , and, preventing from being popped back into place by hand.

He encouraged my Son to allow Miura to use her back leg, :eek: ,

No splint either, so, this must have been an open and shut case and won't occur again.
They will ask more questons when they pick her up tomorrow.

I am taking Daisy and Delilah's advice and placing small foot stools near their bed., she wants to sleep with them at night. Otherwise, Miura uses her crate , and, since they bought a new leather/vinyl sofa and love seat, she isn't allowed on the couchs anymore.
(You ought to see what the little rascal did to their other couch!!!) :eek:

She is used to getting onto our furniture, so, I bought her a small bed with a pillow and high sides, just her wee little size. I don't want her to jump onto or off from anything at all. She wants to play , play, play when she comes to our house because she knows I adore her and give her so much of my attention, so, I suppose I've spoiled her there.

They will no doubt keep her home for a few days ---lucky that this happened while they were on vacation from work.

[bckrazy]

I'm so happy she's ok, now her Grandma who loves her so much won't have to worry! =) It's definitely commendable that her Mom & Dad acted so quickly on her pain, it does sound like it was severe, and it's definitely better that it is done while she's young and can still heal quickly.

If I were in their position, I would've done the same, because a severe knee problem is not something to take lightly - it is painful as heck. If one of my pups had a severe knee issue (and, with Fozzie being a Corgi and from God-only-knows what kind of breeder, bad knees are a possibility), I would rather keep them calm for a few weeks & endure the sugery than allow that pain to continue.

Also, if you haven't already told them, they NEED to let the breeder "friend" know! She should NOT be breeding Chihuahua's that are so structurally unsound. Even if the breeder won't recompensate them (guessing she won't...) for the surgery, maybe telling her to stop breeding will save many more innocent puppies from the pain that your little girl had to go through.

[DrKym]

I am so glad all is well with her! big hugs to all and of course you can call her Abby Normal just don't use the same jar that her brain was found in (I love that version of the movie!)

[beeniesmom]

The same thing happened to my Frankie.
He too was diagnosed with stage 3/4 patellar luxation and the vets wanted to operate.
I waited and am glad that I did. He ended up not needing it. He grew into his legs and not a knee has popped out since.... I don't rememeber... which is a good thing.

[Dorothy39]

I am so glad all is well with her! big hugs to all and of course you can call her Abby Normal just don't use the same jar that her brain was found in (I love that version of the movie!)
Thank You, I sure do need to laugh today!!!!

[Dorothy39]

The same thing happened to my Frankie.
He too was diagnosed with stage 3/4 patellar luxation and the vets wanted to operate.
I waited and am glad that I did. He ended up not needing it. He grew into his legs and not a knee has popped out since.... I don't rememeber... which is a good thing.
I'm so glad Frankie did not need that horrid surgery. He , by the way, is soooo cute!!!!

Miura was doing the tripod shuffle for about a week. We had to resort to that surgery. I sure do hope she never has any more trouble with it.

[Dorothy39]

I'm so happy she's ok, now her Grandma who loves her so much won't have to worry! =) It's definitely commendable that her Mom & Dad acted so quickly on her pain, it does sound like it was severe, and it's definitely better that it is done while she's young and can still heal quickly.

If I were in their position, I would've done the same, because a severe knee problem is not something to take lightly - it is painful as heck. If one of my pups had a severe knee issue (and, with Fozzie being a Corgi and from God-only-knows what kind of breeder, bad knees are a possibility), I would rather keep them calm for a few weeks & endure the sugery than allow that pain to continue.

Also, if you haven't already told them, they NEED to let the breeder "friend" know! She should NOT be breeding Chihuahua's that are so structurally unsound. Even if the breeder won't recompensate them (guessing she won't...) for the surgery, maybe telling her to stop breeding will save many more innocent puppies from the pain that your little girl had to go through.

Oh Yes, I told my daughter-in-law on the phone this morning., about the mentioned contract. Her friend from work is still breeding and selling Chihuahua dogs . While I am not one to stir up a stink, I feel obligated to speak up on behalf of her future buyers. My daughter-in-law was slient, on the other end of the line, when I told her about Proper Breeding and Professional Exchanges. Her friend from work needs to educate herself in this area. , I am inclined to think that she is only after the $$$$$$. :(

[Dorothy39]

Miura is back home now and I will be going to visit her later today.

The Specialist from Grand Rapids advised them to assist Miura when she needs to go outside to do her duty along with keeping her safely away from rigorous activity for 10 weeks!!!! :eek:

No jumping and no stair ways!!!

I hope I can get a decent picture of her to share with you.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Our prayers are still going out for little Miura, Dorothy. Can't wait to see a pic of her :)

[zoey]

**prayers** coming your way from me, too.
It's so much for such a young puppy to go through.
But hopefully after the recovery period and some physical therapy she will be jammin'. :)
It makes me so sad that these recessive genes are running rampant. *tear*

[Dorothy39]

Here are two pictures taken yesterday of Miura. Just look at that Poor Babys' Leg. The incision was made on the front/side of her knee is is nearly 3 inches long. She received a good report on the ridges that support her patella, so that comforts me a great deal.

And, look at the cute bed I bought for her!!!! :D

(Doesn't she look like she is pulling her skirt up?) :D A bit of my "zany" humor added ;)

[zoey]

Poor baby girl. She's such a precious puppy.
And that bed looks like a perfect fit. *Thanks Grandma* :)

[Daisy and Delilah]

This is a good case of a Grandma loving her little Granddoggie!! She's just adorable Dorothy! Such a pretty little girl. Her bed is too cute---my girl's wanted one the moment they saw it ;) Kisses to that sweetheart from us :)

[bckrazy]

Aw, what a cutie! Poor little leg. She is definitely getting all the love & care she needs for her recovery, though =0)

[DebbieSue]

Hi Dorothy!

I'm new to this forum. I was surfing the net researching slipped knee problems and found your thread. I'm so happy to hear Miura is doing well. :)

I have a 9 year old Yorkie who started limping this week. We took him to the vet and he says the dog has slipped knee joints on both back legs. Said the dog must have put the one leg down when it was slipped out of joint and ripped the tendons in the leg.

Now he is advising 3 surgeries, starting with the 'well' back leg. The first surgery to fix the slipped knee problem on the good leg. The second surgery to fix the ripped tendons on the bad leg. The third surgery to fix the slipped knee problem on the bad leg. He says it could take up to a year to get it all straightened out.

Needless to say, we're not thrilled. Our yorkie, Toto, has heart problems due to a collapsing trachea. So we worry anytime he has to have surgery. He had surgery about 2 years ago for bladder stones. He recovered well from that one.

We lost a Pomeranian about 3 years ago, due to congestive heart failure, which stemmed from a collapsing trachea. Now my other Pomeranian, Maxie Monster, is showing signs of the same problem. :rolleyes:

Vet says he understands if we don't want to do the surgeries, due to health fears. He says little dogs adapt to walking on 3 legs easily. However, he says that with the other knee cap slipping, at any time the tendons in his good leg could tear, and then the dog would have use of neither back leg. :rolleyes:

So I'm trying to do some research, and possibly considering getting a second opinion. I don't like the idea of the poor dog limping around for the rest of his life. It looks so pathetic. But I hate the risks of so many surgeries. We have an appointment for x-rays tomorrow.

Toto is a full-bodied yorkie too. :D I think it's rare for a yorkie to be stocky. And I worry that he'll be carrying around more weight on that single back leg than the average yorkie would, making it even more likely that he'll rip tendons.

My other Pomeranian, Foxy, who passed away due to the heart problems 3 years ago, also had the patellar luxation. But it only slipped out once in a while, and vet never advised surgery. (She was another stocky dog.)

Toto has not shown any signs of pain, other than not using the leg. But I know some dogs just don't vocalize pain. They simply quietly deal with it. So I don't like the idea of just leaving the dog to deal with this for who knows how many years that he might have left.

Toto is a good natured dog. Not very smart, but very, very cute! :D

Just not sure which way to go here. Trying to get as much info as possible in order to help us make the right decision, I guess.

I'm leaning toward the operations myself. It feels abusive to me to watch my dog hop around on only 3 legs, even though I know the surgeries are especially risky for him. I think I just want to be sure that the surgeries are the only option for correcting the problem.

At any rate, I could identify with your posts on your daughter's Chi. My daughter's Chi lives here with us. Tiki is a handful. (We call her the grandchild, as my daughter, an only child, has no children and thus far, does not plan on any).

So far, Tiki is healthy at 3 years of age. We were told she would grow to be about 6 pounds. At the last weigh-in, she weighed 12 pounds (not one ounce of fat on her). So much for breeding nowadays... :eek:

I hope your Miura continues to do well. You sound like a great doggy grandma! :D

Debbie