She has not been moving around and when she does it is on 3 legs. She hasn't been eating and only drinking when I bring it to her. We took her to the vet this morning and they said it was her knee cap - everything else was fine. She NEVER had this problem before the surgery.
2007-04-21 06:26:57 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Luxating patella (knee cap popping in and out) is pretty common in small breed dogs and is usually congenital (meaning they're born with the problem). It is very unlikely that this problem has anything to do with the spay surgery. Below is a website with some good information and some good links on this condition.
2007-04-21 06:36:44 · answer #1 · answered by ainawgsd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Luxating Patella ...
n some dogs, because of malformation or trauma, the ridges forming the patellar groove are not prominent, and a too-shallow groove is created. In a dog with shallow grooves, the patella will luxate (jump out of the groove) sideways, especially toward the inside. This causes the leg to 'lock up' with the foot held off the ground.
When the patella luxates from the groove of the femur, it usually cannot return to its normal position until the quadriceps muscle relaxes and increases in length. This explains why the affected dog may be forced to hold his leg up for a few minutes or so after the initial incident. While the muscles are contracted and the patella is luxated from its correct position, the joint is held in the flexed or bent position. The yelp is from the pain caused by the knee cap sliding across the bony ridges of the femur. Once out of position, the animal feels no discomfort and continues his activity.
2007-04-21 06:41:52 · answer #2 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll second that - I don't see how the spay op could possibly affect the knee. A luxating patella is mechanical, removing the uterus couldn't cause it. I think it's a coincidence. It is common - even some rabbits get luxating patellas, and humans too, I've met both.
The not eating is more of a problem, talk to the vet about that as well as the knee. It may be that she's not eating because her knee hurts - you might have to try hand feeding until this is sorted out.
Chalice
2007-04-21 06:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs get loose joints that pop out, sometimes they are ok, sometimes they require surgery, I would assume you trust your vet beings you have taken her back & he said nothing was wrong ( hopefully he took X rays or something ) but too dogs know when they are getting sympathy & will take advantage, play lame LOL or if the dog has ever had a prior injury to the joint or leg, they sometimes will hop on 3 legs once inawhile for the rest of their lives, we have one that does that from a time she had a broken leg, but dogs can do fine on 3 legs !!!
2007-04-21 06:35:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luxating patella is very common in some breeds. Your dog was probably prone to it and just happened to pop it right around the time of surgery. I wouldn't blame the vet - if the dog was prone to it, it was a matter of time before it turned up from one thing or another. Something as simple as jumping off the sofa can kick it off in a susceptible dog.
It's actually good you spayed her, since it is a genetic problem. Unfortunately she'll probably need another surgery.
2007-04-21 06:31:54 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think your Vet might have injured your dog, you might want to contact your vet and have a exam done. It could be she hurt it at the facility, waking up after anesthetized .and hurt her knee. This is an instance where call the vet is the best answer
2007-04-21 06:35:33 · answer #6 · answered by redd headd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to document her health before and after the surgery (the vet can do this for you). You really need to concentrate on getting her healed first, then I'd contact a lawyer and have the vet who fixed her pay to fix her kneecap.
2007-04-21 06:36:46 · answer #7 · answered by Kissing_Carrion 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋