Dislocation of the dog’s kneecap is a common orthopedic disorder. It is caused by trauma to the knee or genetic malformation. Symptoms include occasional skipping and lameness in the hindlimbs. In some cases, the dog may also suffer from mitral valve disease, a condition in which the heart’s mitral valve begins to leak, resulting in abnormal pumping of blood from the left side of the heart. This can eventually lead to heart failure.
Surgery can be a good choice in severe cases. However, some dogs require surgery, and the recovery time can be long. The recovery period for this procedure varies from six to eight weeks. Postoperatively, most dogs regain normal function of the knee joint. Despite the risks of surgery, most dogs do well. And, while the condition may reoccur, chances of recurrence are low.
Patellar luxation may lead to other problems, including arthritis in the knee joint. Left untreated, Patellar Luxation in Dogs can lead to chronic pain and immobility. While it is usually treatable, severe cases are associated with higher chances of recurrence and more serious conditions. Moreover, dogs with patellar luxation often exhibit a tendency to develop arthritis in their knee joint.
If the patellar luxation has caused your dog to walk differently, it might have the same causes. In cases where your dog is born with patellar luxation, it may be due to another leg problem, like a toy or small breed. In such cases, you can check your dog for patellar luxation by observing the changes in its gait. Your veterinarian can determine whether or not it needs surgery.