| This information is to help you understand the small dogs and toy breeds ,This can happen to any breed but is more prominent in toy breeds .Patella luxation, or knee dislocation, can range in severity from a patella that can be luxated (dislocated) only in extreme extension and then snaps readily into place, to a patella that is permanently luxated medially (toward the center of the dog’s body). One of the causes of patella luxation is an abnormal shape of the distal end of the femur, resulting in a shallow patellar groove. The other major cause is a displacement of the quadriceps tendon's attachment to the tibia, so that the patella is displaced medially when the quadriceps muscle is flexed. The tendency to luxate to the medial side causes a transient lameness, at least until the patella returns to its normal position, if it is able to. The extent of patella luxation increases with time as the femur's trochlear groove becomes flatter and flatter, as increased bowing of the leg takes place, and as the structures of the stifle joint weaken. Continued deformity of the joint results in degenerative joint disease, pain, and decreased mobility. This condition can be genetic, but not all cases are. Some breeds have a higher incidence than others. Breeds known to have this condition include: Affenpinscher, Brussels griffon, Chihuahua, English toy spaniel, Greyhound, Japanese spaniel, Maltese, Manchester terrier, Miniature pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Shih tzu, Silky terrier, and Yorkshire terrier. Patellar luxation is a common condition. Four grades of dislocation are recognized: 1) The patella luxates with manual pressure and returns spontaneously. 2) The patella luxates with flexion and extension of the joint, but returns to the trochlear groove spontaneously. Some lameness may be present. 3) The patella luxates with flexion and extension of the joint, but can be reduced manually. Considerable lameness exists. 4) The patella is permanently luxated to the medial side. The limb or limbs are unable to extend and the animal walks balancing its weight on the forelimbs. Treatment in mild cases may include exercise restriction, aspirin, non- steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate (Cosequin), and weight reduction in obese dogs. The addition of surgery to the treatment regimen is usually indicated in severe cases, and may benefit mild cases also. Safety Be sure to teach your small breed puppy to walk safely with a Harness and leash, but use good judgment about when to leave the dog on the ground. Let the dog see that you can be trusted for protection. Use a chest harness to attach the leash to the dog, not a collar that would put pressure on the tiny throat. If you can’t find a small enough dog harness, a cat harness will work. While training is important in large dogs so that we can control them, training is necessary for small dogs so that we can protect them. Don’t neglect training your small breed puppy just because you can exert control by picking up the dog. There are many situations for which that won’t work, such as when the dog is 20 feet away and barking at a big dog. And when a dog can understand your directions, the world feels a great deal less scary and more orderly to your canine friend. Do not allow your puppy to antagonize bigger dogs! Many tiny dogs have been killed this way. Check for safety as to the other dogs in the area before putting your puppy into any situation. When there is a big size difference, even play can injure or kill a tiny dog. Pick playmates for your dog who are not radically larger. People (especially children) tend to charge right up to small dogs and to put hands on them without hesitation. Don’t permit people to do this to your puppy Protect the dog’s space and get people to slow down—you can pick up your dog to achieve this. You can also set the dog up on a surface to be safe from people’s feet and feel less vulnerable, but make sure the dog can’t fall from there. |
