Medial and lateral patellar luxation in large dogs?

Has anyone had any experience with medial and lateral patellar luxation in large dogs? I have a friend who has a 1 year old lab that has to have surgery and we are looking to hear about other's experiences with it (especially the recovery). The recovery time is going to be very tough for the puppy -- she will need to be crated for two months, then minimal activity (on a leash the entire time!!) for another two months. Yipes, that's FOUR MONTHS!

I thought I read something on the board awhile back about someone with a german shepard or pit bull that had patellar luxation too.... but I can't find anything. I know that it is more common in smaller dogs, but we're looking for any information anyone can share with us ...

Thanks a bunch!!

 

I havent had a large dog with luxating patellas but this info was on another post a few weeks ago....just some basics.

http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12374

I can tell you that the recovery time and sticking with the schedule is crucial. Most surgeries (that Ive seen done...I used to work for an orthopedic vet), the surgery goes well and the dogs heal up great, gradually returning to their full activity but every now and then we see someone bring their dog back (rare with small breeds, its usually the larger breeds)....the usual story is someone in the house 'forgot to put the dog back in the crate' or they felt sorry for the dog being crated for so long and just let him out for an hour....please dont do this, it only take a second....it can take one 'leap' up onto furniture....one quick little jog around the yard....and the dog can blow out its knee (the surgery done will come apart) and the dog has to go back in and have it re-done...there is no alternative to this.....it HAS to be re-done, so as well as the trauma to the dog youve got to pay for it all over again.
4 months may seem like a long time....it is for a dog, but its necessary.

Good luck.

 

Thanks so much for your advice!! Since you used to work for an orthopedic vet, do you have any tips on how to handle this for the dog on the emotional level? Any hints or tid bits of advice? Besides the obvious "you gotta stick to it and do it"

She's just heart broken about having to do this.... plussssss they have another lab puppy that will have to be relocated for the four months. Those two were inseparable...

 

While the dog is on crate rest, you can try to do more mental things with the pup. Training simple tricks, etc. There was an article in Whole Dog Journal about things to do with a dog under physical restrictions.

I don't envy them at all. It would break my heart!

 

Make sure the dog has a variety of toys and safe chews but only leave one or two at a time, rotate them daily so the dog doesnt get bored with the same ones.
When my Whippet was on cage rest for a partial cruciate a few years back I would spend a couple of times a day sitting on the floor next to the crate and just interacting with her, sometimes petting her and talking to her, brushing her, rolling a ball to her and shed shove it back to me with her nose. She was already crate trained though knew 'down' so she wasnt trying to get out of the crate all the time the door was open.

Also you can get those balls with the hole in that you put treats in, the dog has to roll the ball around and the treats fall out.

Dont be too surprized if the dog does chew up any bedding you put in there (obviously you dont want him swallowing any of it), theres no doubt that he is going to get bored and possibly frustrated....who wouldnt but like I said its necessary for a good, full recovery.

There is one thing I should mention, I dont know what area your in....if there is any snow or ice down be really careful while taking the dog to go potty, they can slip. What I usually do is use a large towel as a 'sling' under the belly (close to the rear legs/groin area), hold the leash in one hand and the 2 ends of towel in the other....you dont need to lift the dog at all but it gives you something to support the dog with 'just in case'.

Some vets will send the dogs home with a couple of days worth of light sedatives to begin with before switching to just regular painkillers but if the dog is acting very hyper and going frantic to get out of the crate after the first few days then let the vet know, some dogs need occasional sedatives...usually what happens is after the first couple of days they seem to settle into the routine of being in the crate but every so often theres a dog that wont settle.

Another thing that helps is in some houses, esepcially if there are young children, a lot of noise and activity its better to either have the crate in a room where atmosphere is more mellow, or have the children play in another room...the more activity the dog sees the more it will want out.

 

Right. Don't slip and fall and squish the dog, either. :wink:

 

Luckily we are in California... so unless we have an earthquake during the "potty breaks" she's probably safe in that regard (except that puppy weighs 80 lbs alreadyyyy)

Thanks everyone so for advice.... I appreciate it, and know that she will also! I especially love the part about getting different toys so she dosn't get bored!

Thanks again!

 

:lol:

I miss California !!! Weve had heavy snow for a couple of days here now, looks like a grotto in the North Pole right now.