Are Havanese prone to Luxating Patellas ?

[RingAroundaRosie]

My Rosie, 11 months old, hurt her leg yesterday while we were playing. She has been putting some weight on it, but favoring it. I have noticed a little click when I touch her leg in a certain way. Our previous dog, a Westie, had to have two surgeries for ACL repairs. I am soo sad and also concerned about the huge vet bills.

Nothing I read ever said that Havanese are prone to these orthopedic issues.
Comments?

[atsilvers27]

My understanding is that many small breeds are prone to luxating patellas. If you got your dog from a responsible breeder, both parents should have been tested, and the results posted online. If both parents score well there is a lower probability that an offspring will have it. If the parents have it, the offspring will likely have it as well. Someone else please chime in.

[RingAroundaRosie]

I bought her from a very highly regarded breeder who health test their dogs, so this is completely baffling to me.

[TilliesMom]

have you contacted your breeder yet?

[krandall]

Originally Posted by RingAroundaRosie

I bought her from a very highly regarded breeder who health test their dogs, so this is completely baffling to me.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees... A puppy from parents with good patellas COULD have luxating patellas, though it is less likely. Not all luxating patellas need surgery either. There are different grades.

Also, if she injured herself, it might not even be a congenital problem. I think you need to take her to the vet and talk to yourbreeder.

[lfung5]

I would call your breeder. Fred has luxating patellas. He injured himself once and was on 2 weeks crate rest. It was strict rest. Literally pick him up to potty and carry him back inside. He was about 1 at the time. The orthopedic surgeon said he didn't need surgery until he was lame 16 days a month. That day came this year and at 7 years old, Fred had knee surgery on 1 knee. His other knee is fine so far......
Talk to your breeder. I know when Bella needed liver surgery at 1.5 years old, her breeder gave me back all the money I paid for her, to put towards the surgery.
I hope your little one will be ok. Good luck!

[Suzi]

Can a vet just do a hands on exam to feel for the luxating patellas? When Zoey was a puppy the vet noticed a bit of something but said he wasn't concerned because her bones were still developing. But he watched it and she is fine now. If your dog is limping I would bring her to the vet.
Maddie had an injury that brought us to the vet we found out that her elbow never attached to her leg. It is very uncommon. We spent a lot of money for good x rays and was three visits. We would never had known if she hadn't hurt herself. At least not yet and she will be three in July.

[Pixiesmom]

Pixie has pretty bad LP. Our vet had her on Cosequin and said let's wait and see. She's 4.5 and he switched her to Dasuquin. I've never seen her favoring a leg or limping and her patellas are very loose.

[leena365]

My Miya at 3 1/2 years has hurt her right knee. She has been on total cage rest for two weeks and is being given Metcalm. I still see her limping after two weeks of total rest. I do hope she won't need the surgery. Really worried for her.

[RingAroundaRosie]

I took Rosie last week to see the vet. He examined her, watched her walk, and told me I could rest easy, that she didn't need surgery. He told me that she did have luxating patella on the one rear leg, but rarely do small breed dogs needs it repaired. Prescribed Rimadyl for 1-2 weeks, and told me to try and limit her jumping. So far so good! She is using it more, limping much less.

A few days later she developed a yeast ear infection, so I was back to the vet for more meds. Poor baby! Still, she is happy and sooo loveable !

Thanks for your replies! It's so good to be a part of this community.