Luxating Patella

[AWD GS]

Hello all, new to the forums here so forgive me if this is in the wrong subforum or has been asked numerous times. I recently acquired a friends english bulldog who is almost 5 years old. As a puppy she had her back right leg operated on to fix her patella issue and has been fine since. A few days ago she chased a rabbit around the backyard (didnt see it in there or else i would have gotten it out prior to letting her outside) and i think with all the running around messed up her other patella. She wasnt putting any weight on it for a couple days so I took her to vet just to make sure everything was ok. Long story short the vet said her patella was popped out hence why she wasnt putting any pressure on it. Once she put it back in place the dog immediately put pressure back on the leg but within a few minutes she was favoring it again as it slipped back out. Should this be something I should be really concerned about? I've tried doing research on it last night and I see there are different "grades" levels of this but wasnt sure how sever this is. I've had her for about 3 months now and she never showed any signs of it being a problem. She always runs around the house to play and runs up and down the steps in the house. Even when it was out, I was touching her leg and moving it and it didnt seem to bother her as she didnt yelp or try to pull it away. Any feedback would be appreciated, sorry for the long post

 

[2BullyMama]

These little munchkins have a very high pain tolerance, so a lot of times we do not know what is wrong till it is sever it is. You can have your vet evaluate and determine if corrective surgery is needed -- my boy needed it done because he also had a torn ACL that was causing the kneecap to constantly pop. You may also want to be giving some joint supplement to help limit the development of arthritis.

Would love to see pictures of Stella

 

[AWD GS]

certainly will take a look into it. she doesnt seem in pain and was putting a little pressure on it last night. just hoping its still sore from monday. heres a pic of her doing what she does best

 

[2BullyMama]

certainly will take a look into it. she doesnt seem in pain and was putting a little pressure on it last night. just hoping its still sore from monday. heres a pic of her doing what she does best

She's a freckled baby.... I love freckles!!! Sio she took over the man cave?

 

[AWD GS]

She's a freckled baby.... I love freckles!!! Sio she took over the man cave?

she has taken over everything. shes too adorable to say no to.

 

[TyTysmom]

certainly will take a look into it. she doesnt seem in pain and was putting a little pressure on it last night. just hoping its still sore from monday. heres a pic of her doing what she does best

She certainly is cute! And that look she's giving you.. haha.

As far as the patella goes, I would keep your eye on her when she's out, and make sure she doesn't over do it. At one point, the vet told us Tyson had a partial cruciate ligament tear & that surgery was our best option. We decided against surgery bc bulldogs don't do well going under - we started him on joint supplements, and tumeric (anti inflammatory) and just restricted him from over doing it. They are lazy by nature anyhow... I think that if you don't already have her on a supplement, get her on one, and just keep any eye on her.

 

[AWD GS]

yea i was given something by the vet yesterday for anti inflammatory which we started today so i'll see how she does. like i said for the first 3 months, she was fine. running around when i got home and going up and down the steps no problem. im hoping she just over worked herself chasing that rabbit.

 

[Davidh]

I would just watch her for awhile and see how she does. If she keeps favoring it, then you may need the surgery, before it gets too bad. If you do have the surgery done, find a specialist who is familiar with bullies so the problem of anesthesia will be minimal. We have several excellent bully vets here is Houston, and I am so grateful for, and trust our bullies with them.

 

[AWD GS]

thanks for the tip! i'll do my research ahead of time just in case i have to go that route and see what i can find. i hope it doesnt come to that though

 

[AWD GS]

i noticed it kept popping out a bit last night but didnt take much effort to just shift it back in place and it doesnt seem to bother her other than not putting her weight on it. has anyone ever used a compression sleeve for their dog? im just looking for an option to help keep that joint in place while shes walking around. when shes walking its fine, its only when she squats to pee that it moves really.

 

[TyTysmom]

i noticed it kept popping out a bit last night but didnt take much effort to just shift it back in place and it doesnt seem to bother her other than not putting her weight on it. has anyone ever used a compression sleeve for their dog? im just looking for an option to help keep that joint in place while shes walking around. when shes walking its fine, its only when she squats to pee that it moves really.

I did look into those along with braces, I never actually purchased it bc Tyson stopped limping after we started the supplements & turmeric. but i would totally go for it. I read great things about them, and I wouldn't think twice again to buy one if needed. If you do end up with one, I'd love to hear your personal feed back on it, and if you think it helps her

 

[AWD GS]

I did look into those along with braces, I never actually purchased it bc Tyson stopped limping after we started the supplements & turmeric. but i would totally go for it. I read great things about them, and I wouldn't think twice again to buy one if needed. If you do end up with one, I'd love to hear your personal feed back on it, and if you think it helps her

i bought one just to try. hopefully shes fine by the time it gets here but even if it is fine, cant hurt to have. it was only $10 shipped.

btw your sig is adorable

 

[TyTysmom]

i bought one just to try. hopefully shes fine by the time it gets here but even if it is fine, cant hurt to have. it was only $10 shipped.

btw your sig is adorable

Awesome, let me know! If it works well for you, I may get one too. Tyson's a little stiff when he gets up off the tile. ( I guess bc its so hard ) -- its not nearly as bad when he's on the carpet. But he's older, and once he's up and moving, I think his muscles warm up and he's fine, but anything I could do to help him - I will

Oh, and thank you - I always wished he would take off with the skateboard. He will play with it, push it, and semi get on it, but that's about it. Haha.

 

[2BullyMama]

i noticed it kept popping out a bit last night but didnt take much effort to just shift it back in place and it doesnt seem to bother her other than not putting her weight on it. has anyone ever used a compression sleeve for their dog? im just looking for an option to help keep that joint in place while shes walking around. when shes walking its fine, its only when she squats to pee that it moves really.

never thought of it, but it is worth a try.

 

[Manydogs]

@AWD GS Many years ago, when I lived in N.J., I had to take several horses, and my poodle to The U of P for serious surgeries. If it comes to her needing surgery, you might check with them. I can't remember if they are even near where you are. Whenever I read about the lux knee, I've always wondered if a wrap would help. I am very interested to hear, when you try it. hope it does help your girl!