Katie has a bum knee

[RobiLee]

Katie has been having problems with her back left leg. We have noticed several times in the past that she was straightening it out kind of funny like it was bothering her. It would only last for just a bit. I thought maybe she was having a cramp in it or something. Lately though she has had several incidents where she will yelp and hold it up and not be able to walk on it all. I took her to the vet today and he is pretty sure it is her knee. This is not good. Katie is only 1 year old and this could mean she will have lots of problems to come. The vet does not know the extent of any damage yet. She could have been born with this problem or she could have pulled or torn something. He is hoping it is not that bad since she still puts her full weight on it. Right now he has put her on some pain pills to help ease any pain she might be having and also to help keep her calm. We are supposed to try and keep her nice and quiet. No horseplay with Tori and no long walks. Keep her down as much as possible. Geesh How am I going to do that?! Tori is starting to kick it into high gear this evening and keeps biting on Katie's ears and wanting to play tug of war. Tori was just spayed yesterday so I'm actually supposed to keep them both down Yeah Right!! They were starting to get a little to hyper so I had to put them both in their crates. I hope they don't start thinking their crates are bad things now. They are both sound asleep right now and I hope they stay like that for awhile. We are suppose to do this for 2 weeks and see if she has any more problems with the leg. If she does then he will put her to sleep to do full xrays on her. If those come back bad then I think he said the next step will be surgery.

Anyways, please keep my special girl in your thoughts and prayers and lets hope this all turns out just fine.

Thanks for letting me rattle on........Hugs.....Robin

P.S...Any advice, suggestions, or questions that you think we should ask the doc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[wolf_Q]

Oh no, that's not good to hear! I will keep Katie in my thoughts. I hope it's nothing serious. Keep us updated!

[shais_mom]

get well soon Katie!!!

will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

[chocolatepuppy]

Katie's in my thoughts and prayers, hopefully it won't be serious.

[anna_66]

Robin I sure do hope that there is nothing serious wrong with her knee. I understand how worried you must be.

I'll be keeping your girl in my thoughts and prayers

[manda99]

Poor Katie! I know what you're going through... My dog Smokey has knee problems, too. I hope Katie's turn out to be less than serious.

Good luck.
-Amanda

[mruffruff]

Good luck with the knee problem. Hopefully it just needs a little rest.

Mary

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by RobiLee

Katie has been having problems
with her back left leg.

... she was straightening it out kind of funny
like it was bothering her.
...incidents where she will yelp and hold it up

I took her to the vet today and he is
"pretty sure" it is her knee.

Robin ~

"Pretty sure..." is sort of *vague*...

Just from what you've said - I would think that Katie has a
Luxating Patella or a "trick knee" -
where her Knee-Cap shifts off to one side.

Do a http://www.Google.com search using the term
[ "luxating patella" AND dog ]
(Put the "luxating patella" INSIDE "quotes",
also try "luxated patella".))

You'll get hundreds of "hits" - reading some of them should
give you some insight on the condition AND how dogs typically
"act" when they have the condition.

Dunno if you ever noticed - but SmokeMutt has a
Luxating Patells in his Right (rear) Knee!
He'll *run like a deer* then *skip* a few steps and
carry his righ rear leg *up* till the knee-cap *pops* back in place.

There are Other Conditions that can give similar symptoms -
one being a Ruptured Cruciate Laiament - see>>>
Vetcentric - Cruciate Ligament

or do a Google.com search for
[ "cruciate ligament" AND dog ]

You need to have Katie seen by an ORTHAPEDIC Vet -
one who Specialises in bone and joint problems.

Most Vets who have expierence with the problem can tell a LOT
by just "palpating" (feeling and flexing) her knee -
she WILL probably yelp while it's being done -
but it won't inflict any long-term pain.

Smokey takes Glucosamine (pill) to help lubricate the knee
and Aspirin if he has any pain -
I DON'T give him any of the High-Power pain relievers!

Sir Jury can usually "repair" either a Luxating Patella or
a Criciate Ligament rupture;
but the recovery period is long and the pooch MUST be kept
restrained during recovery and healing.

Hope ya Feel Better, Katie!

/s/ Phre

[jenfer]

Wishing speedy recovery for Katie and Tori (for her spay).

[RobiLee]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
Robin ~

"Pretty sure..." is sort of *vague*...

Just from what you've said - I would think that Katie has a
Luxating Patella or a "trick knee" -
where her Knee-Cap shifts off to one side.

Do a http://www.Google.com search using the term
[ "luxating patella" AND dog ]
(Put the "luxating patella" INSIDE "quotes",
also try "luxated patella".))

You'll get hundreds of "hits" - reading some of them should
give you some insight on the condition AND how dogs typically
"act" when they have the condition.

Dunno if you ever noticed - but SmokeMutt has a
Luxating Patells in his Right (rear) Knee!
He'll *run like a deer* then *skip* a few steps and
carry his righ rear leg *up* till the knee-cap *pops* back in place.

There are Other Conditions that can give similar symptoms -
one being a Ruptured Cruciate Laiament - see>>>
Vetcentric - Cruciate Ligament

or do a Google.com search for
[ "cruciate ligament" AND dog ]

You need to have Katie seen by an ORTHAPEDIC Vet -
one who Specialises in bone and joint problems.

Most Vets who have expierence with the problem can tell a LOT
by just "palpating" (feeling and flexing) her knee -
she WILL probably yelp while it's being done -
but it won't inflict any long-term pain.

Smokey takes Glucosamine (pill) to help lubricate the knee
and Aspirin if he has any pain -
I DON'T give him any of the High-Power pain relievers!

Sir Jury can usually "repair" either a Luxating Patella or
a Criciate Ligament rupture;
but the recovery period is long and the pooch MUST be kept
restrained during recovery and healing.

Hope ya Feel Better, Katie!

/s/ Phre

Thanks for all the info, Phred. I guess I should say he is certain it is the knee but not quite sure what the damage is to it. I did find out that the "pain pill" that he put her on is Rimadyl. Which I'm not sure if I like using that drug. I have read some bad things about it. She has about 1 1/2 weeks left to take it. It is very hard to keep her calm. So far she has not had another "episode". It does sound alot like what you describe Smokey as having. I will have to do some reading on that when I got home from work. The doc did do the palpating and Katie did a couple of big yelps. Once she even yanked around to give him a warning. That was when he hit the really sore spot. I'm not for sure what we should do from this point. I want to keep an eye on her and make sure I write down any other episodes she might have and what she is doing at the time.

Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone. Katie and I appreciate it.

Jennifer, thanks for mentioning Tori. Tori is doing just fine. She is full steam ahead and seems to be getting into more trouble than ever!!!

Robin

[Holly's mom]

I hope Katie's knee problem is nothing serious. It's always a worry when something is wrong with our furkids. I'm glad Tori is bouncing back o.k. from her surgery. I will be keeping you in my thoughts.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by RobiLee

The doc did do the palpating and
Katie did a couple of big yelps.

I'm not for sure what we should do from this point.

Robin ~

What to Do sort of depends on WHAT the Vet said.

Diagnosing a Luxating Patella is not too difficult for
a Vet who has done it before - they "know" just what it
"feels" like and can usually say with certainty if the dog HAS the condition.

FIXING a Luxating Patella should be left to an "expert" -
a Vet who has done MANY Luxating Patella repairs.
The Orthapedic Specialist Vet who saw Smokey said that
until the Surgeon actually begins the operation -
he's never really SURE what he'll find and sort of has to "wing it" -
with years of experience to guide him.

Example: They shave the dog's entire HIP -
so IF a piece of bone is needed for the knee job -
the donor site is ready and no time is lost.

The actual "fix" can involve re-locating the knee cap's attaching ligaments;
deepening the "groove" the ligament rides in;
or reforming the cap itself.
He said X-rays don't usually help - they can't "see" under the knee cap.

He pretty much ruled out a Cruciate Ligament problem with Smokey
(after sticking his fingers into places SmokeMutt thought they shouldn't be!)

We're doing a *Wait 'n See* with Smokey - HIS problem IS severe;
but it really doesn't bother him very often. He's "learned" how to
run and jump without aggravating it!

And Doc Mike took the time to Teach ME how to reposition Smoke's
knee cap when it pops out and Smokey can't pop it back in by himself.
I about passed out when Doc put MY fingers on the cap and
*popped* it out and then returned it to normal!
You can easily "feel" it moving!

But that knowledge has helped several times when Smokey has had a
problem with the knee. If it goes "out" on him ~
he'll stop and * S t r e t c h * that leg out behind him...
If that doesn't "fix it" to his satisfaction ~

He'll YELP! and then 3-Legged *hop* over to me and lie down,
usually stretching his leg out straight or behind him.
A gentle *pop* and it's back in place!

Both Doc and the Surgeon recommended generic Glucosamine tablets
to help "lubricate" the joints,
and adult ASPIRIN if he seems to be in any pain.
(Doc Mike takes the same stuff (from Wally's-Mart) for his own knees!)

And both Docs *stressed* that Smokey needs to be kept Slim 'n Trim!
SmokeMutt says I'm starvin him;
and folks often ask if I *FEED* him when they see his ribs showing
through his short coat; but Doc Mike says "Ribs are meant to be seen!"

Rimadyl?? In short-term use - it does wonders. Read >>>
Rimadyl Article - Use with Caution...
I'd ask about just using ASPIRIN for pain management.

/s/ Phred

[captain]

Robin,

Captain has a problem with his back leg, usually after he has RUN AND RUN AND RUN ......... but sometimes, simply when he gets up from lying down.
I have Rimadyl in my cupboard that I give him every now and again, if it hurts.
BUT initially, he was on it for approx. 1.5 weeks - then I was instructed only to give it to him if it hurts.

Captain NEVER, EVER yelps, but when I took him to the vet, they poked and prodded him, until he "yelped"
We had X-rays, blood tests, and a VERY EXPENSIVE muscle test done on Captain when it started .......... only to establish, that they cannot find ANYTHING wrong, and that it might be muscle strain.

I hope that is Katie's problem too

Kisses to Katie
Michelle

[pitc9]

Oh Robin, I am sorry to hear the news..... I hope everything works out!!
Sierra has a Luxating Patella, it is not that bad (for now )
But once in a while she'll stop, and kick her leg out behind her a few times, and I'll hear a "pop" and Ta Da.... all better!
And keeps on running. My vet told me it is more common in smaller breed dogs. I hope Katie's knee gets better and she does not need to go under the knife .

Poor Robin... has to keep both of your widdle gurls quiet!!

My heart goes out to you!!
I hope both girls get better soon!!!

[manda99]

Awww! Our poor babies with all these bum knees!

I think my Smokey had the cruciate ligament problem... He just had surgery to replace the ligaments in his right knee. Complete bed rest for 3 weeks and now just short walks and then confinement for the next 2 months!
Not to mention when this one is healed he has to have the left one done, too. 6 months total of bed rest!! He's going to be hating me.
We joke that he's only got half his pants on because the hair they shaved off is barely growing back. It looks funny.

But anyway, these were the issues with Smokey--

First, his left knee was bothering him (he was limping, it seemed stiff, etc). We took him to the vet, they did some Xrays, started him on Cosequin and gave him some pain meds. Upon consultation she told us there might be a small tear in his knee somewhere, but it seemed to get better. Then about 8 months later just suddenly he started favoring the right leg. It didn't get better so we took him back to the vet, more Xrays and then a surgical consultation. They determined surgery would be best . He was even starting to lose muscle in the leg from not using it. So we did the surgery (and some tests since he wasn't clotting properly...). He is healing up very well and should be good as new when it's done healing.

Expensive? Heck yes.
Worth it to see him more comfortable and pain free? Absolutely.
Now I just have to start saving for the second knee...

I should have had Pet Insurance before this even started!

I've attached a picture of him on bed rest. Looking bored... But being a good boy!

Good luck with your Katie.
-Amanda