A luxating patella is a standard condition in dogs but is very prevalent in small breeds like Dachshunds.
It often becomes noticeable around 4-6 months of age, and it’s often a congenital defect.
Dachshunds have a predisposition for luxating patella, and it might probably normally be diagnosed and treated early on.
What’s a Luxating Patella?
The word “patella” refers back to the kneecap. “Luxating” means misplaced.
Subsequently, a luxating patella is an misplaced, or dislocated, kneecap.
Luxating patella occurs when your dog’s kneecap moves out and in of its normal location.
Dog parents often notice a luxating patella when their dog is walking or running then skips, lifts a particular leg for a step or two, then places it back down on the bottom to proceed moving forward.
What Causes a Luxating Patella?
Your Dachshund’s kneecap sits just underneath the patellar ligament. It attaches the thigh muscles to the front and center of the shin bone.
When your dog is running or walking, the thigh muscles will contract.
The force from the contraction is then transmitted through the patellar ligament, which then pulls on the shin bone (or tibia).
After this happens, the knee extends or straightens, and your Dachshund’s patella will slide up and down into the correct groove so as to keep the ligament in place.
Over long periods of time with abnormal movement, the groove within the femur can wear down.
After this happens, the patella can then dislocate, or slide toward the inner a part of the knee, moderately than back into its groove.
Small dogs with bowed legs could also be especially liable to having a luxating patella.
Many dogs, especially small dogs with bowed legs, are liable to a luxating patella, because the purpose of the patellar ligament attachment is NOT in the middle of the shin bone prefer it needs to be.
Dachshunds, because they’re genetically dwarves, can have deformed legs which might be bowed.
If their legs are bowed, the patellar ligament is usually situated too far toward the center of their body, or near the inside the leg.
Signs and Symptoms of a Luxating Patella
A luxated patella affects every dog in another way.
The primary sign that your Dachshund has a luxating patella is the skipping while running, as we discussed firstly of the article.
While walking or running, chances are you’ll notice your Dachshund lift one leg, skip a step or two, then place it back down on the bottom to proceed moving forward.
There might be long run effects of a luxating patella in Dachshunds depending on the severity.
While some dogs can thrive for a lifetime with a luxating patella, others will face a tougher road.
Over time a severe luxating patella can result in:
- Other knee injuries, including torn ligaments
- Changes to the hip, thigh and shin bones from bearing weight unevenly
- Arthritis, which might cause joint pain and decreased mobility
When you suspect your dog of getting luxating patella, one of the best plan of action is to take them to the vet.
Signs and symptoms of a luxating patella in Dachshunds differ per individual case.
Nevertheless, some common symptoms are:
- An unusual gait (walking weird)
- Limping
- Abnormally carrying a leg or legs
- Inability to bend the knee
- Shown signs of pain when moving the leg
- Reluctance to run or jump
- Refusing to go for a walk
When you’re noticing consistent skipping or lameness, take your Doxie to the vet for a medical examination.
How Bad Is Your Dog’s Luxating Patella?
There are different grades (Grade I-IV) to measure the severity of a luxating patella, and it might probably affect a number of legs.
These are, in summary:
- Grade 1: Manually the patella easily luxates at full extension of the stifle joint, but returns to the trochlea when released. Flexion and extension of the stifle are in a straight line with no abduction of the hock.
- Grade 2: There’s frequent patellar luxation, which, in some cases, becomes kind of everlasting. The limb is typically carried, although weight bearing routinely occurs with the stifle remaining barely flexed. Many dogs with this grade live with the condition reasonably well for a few years, however the constant luxation of the patella over the medial trochlear ridge of the trochlea causes erosion [and further degradation over time]
- Grade 3: The patella is permanently luxated with torsion of the tibia and deviation of the tibial crest of between 30 degrees and 50 degrees from the cranial/caudal plane. Although the luxation is just not intermittent, many animals use the limb with the stifle held in a semi-flexed position.
- Grade 4: The tibia is medially twisted and the tibial crest may show further deviation medially with the result that it lies 50 degrees to 90 degrees from the cranial/caudal plane. The patella is permanently luxated. The patella lies just above the medial condyle and space might be palpated between the patellar ligament and the distal end of the femur. The limb is carried, or the animal moves in a crouched position, with the limb flexed.
If a luxating patella is something your dog was born with, your vet may catch it during considered one of their first couple checkups.
In case your dog has steadily developed a luxating patella, it often won’t be caught until it’s bad enough to cause regular pain or lameness, which leads to you taking your dog to the vet to seek out out what’s mistaken.
Either way, once your dog is diagnosed with a luxating patella, a veterinarian will assess the grade of the condition based on the standards above.
Is Luxating Patella Common in Dachshunds?
The short answer is yes.
As described above, a luxating patella is common in Dachshunds since it’s common for his or her short, dwarfed legs to be bowed (to various degrees).
Small breeds of dogs are most prone to patellar luxation because of this.
Dachshunds not only have bowed legs, but also they are incredibly short, leaving little or no room for movement error.
Other breeds who battle an identical issue are the Bichon Frise and Maltese.
All of those breeds have short legs that are likely to bow outwards.
Treatment Options for a Luxating Patella
Surgery is obtainable to correct a luxating patella, but it surely’s only performed for Grades II-IV.
Grade I luxating patellas aren’t typically surgically repaired.
When a luxating patella is surgically repaired, the purpose of attachment of the ligament is transplanted to its proper location.
Sometimes implants are used to strengthen the patella.
A luxating patella post-surgery recovery is usually rapid, especially with pain management and appropriate aftercare.
Alternatives to Surgery for a Luxating Patella
Putting your Dachshund through surgery is usually a terrifying thought, especially in the event that they are a puppy or of their senior years.
Thankfully surgery isn’t all the time needed, and there are a number of things you’ll be able to do as a dog parent to make things a bit of easier to your Doxie.
Joint Supplements
Joint supplements will help strengthen muscles and joints, reducing pain and increasing mobility.
Supplements for joint health (affiliate link) are specifically designed to advertise cartilage construct up and alleviate day by day pain.
Anti-inflammatory medication will help with pain your dog is having.
Prescription Medications
Your Doxie’s vet can prescribe anti-inflammatories to help with pain and discomfort included by a luxating patella.
Never give your Dachshund human medications similar to Tylenol or ibuprofen. As a substitute, contact your veterinarian to debate options.
Losing Weight
Obesity is usually a consider how a Dachshund handles luxating patella.
It’s possible you’ll find that the condition improves in case your Dachshund loses weight, and gets into higher shape.
Extra weight puts unnecessary pressure on joints, so losing it might probably improve several bodily functions.
It’s possible you’ll feel like your Dachshund shouldn’t heavily exercise in the event that they have a luxating patella.
In case your vet has determined that your dog doesn’t need corrective surgery, normally exercise remains to be okay.
Walking remains to be advisable no matter a luxating patella.
It is best to still walk your dog in the event that they have a luxating patella, you’ll just need to watch if symptoms turn into worse.
Knee Brace
Knee braces might be worn to assist with healing and stability after surgery.
Braces may help relieve inflammation, and supply balance while walking.
Refer to your veterinarian to see if a knee brace could potentially help your Dachshund with a luxating patella.
Final Thoughts
A luxating patella in Dachshunds might be extremely painful and debilitating, or it might probably be a lifelong condition that never truly affects them.
Either way, it’s essential to provide your Doxie one of the best care they should live as healthy and pleased as possible.
Meet together with your veterinarian to debate treatment options when you’ve reached a definitive diagnosis.
Ultimately, the prognosis for a luxating patella is great, so it comes right down to one of the best approach and plan for the one that you love Dachshund.
