If you’ve noticed your dog walking unusually with a skip or hop, there’s a high chance of an underlying condition present.
Patellar luxation is an extremely common condition that’s diagnosed in 7% of puppies. If your loving little bestie is affected, p and medication may be enough to treat a . However, some cases require if your Puggle’s condition is severe and causes considerable .
For this reason, it’s important to understand the risks of a luxating patella and when to contact a medical professional.
in Puggles Explained
Simply put, is when your dog’s , or , moves out of its normal position. Luxating is another word for ‘dislocated’ or ‘out of place’, and the is another word for ‘‘.
Normally, the sits in the at the end of the , or femur. It then healthily moves up and down when the dog’s is extending and flexing. A luxating patella occurs when the slips out of its normal position inside the groove. This causes a and prevents your dog’s from extending properly.
can be a , , or bidirectional . is the most common diagnosis and can be generally seen in a . occurs less frequently and can be seen in . Furthermore, patellar luxation is the reason your dog may be awkwardly hopping around as it’s trying to pop its back into place.
From a medical standpoint, there are many degrees of severity:
- Mild form – the only dislocates when direct force is applied to it
- Moderate form – frequent
- Severe form – the is always
It’s proven that around 50% of dogs with a luxating patella have both knees affected and 50% have only one affected. In any case, it’s vital for your Puggle’s health that you diagnose the problem and provide the necessary steps for treatment.
Clinical Signs Your Puggle Might Have Patella Luxation
As stated earlier, the most common sign of a luxating patella is a clear change to your Puggle’s stride. You will notice lameness as your Puggle irregularly hops on one leg and tries to stretch the other leg to pop its back into place. As soon as the is back in place, your cute little Puggle will begin walking normally again as if nothing happened.
If both of the legs have , you may notice your Puggle bunny hopping or dragging its legs for short periods of time as it attempts to return its kneecaps to the normal position.
What To Do if Your Puggle Shows Signs of Patellar Luxation
If your Pug Beagle mix is showing signs of or limping while walking, we recommend taking your loved one to a veterinarian for a physical examination. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the condition through a physical examination and offer the best options for your dog. Early diagnosis is always best to address problems as early as possible before any serious issues develop.
If left untreated, the may dislocate out of its groove more often which erodes cartilage and leads to arthritis and . Furthermore, other compositions in your dog’s may become more strained, potentially leading to a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. Lateral dislocation of the patella is also more concerning in puppies because it can lead to serious deformations of the leg as your puppy grows.
Causes of Lateral Dislocation of Patella in Puggles
There are two ways develops in Puggles. The main reason why this condition develops is due to hereditary problems that cause joint or limb structure abnormalities. This means many Puggles have a genetic predisposition for structural abnormalities, and it isn’t anyone’s fault.
These abnormalities cause the groove in the femur where the sits to be too shallow, or it causes a displacement where the attaches to the . These two hereditary issues cause an alternation in the forces placed on the , which is where the comes from.
The second reason why a occurs is through a traumatic injury. A potential injury would cause stretching or tearing of the joint and leads to patellofemoral instability.
How Is Lateral Patellar Luxation Diagnosed
A is usually diagnosed in puppies because pet parents notice a problem with their Puggle’s stride and gait. Next, veterinarians will perform a physical exam to see if they can manipulate the in and out of place. They will also be able to determine the severity of the problem as well.
It can be difficult to locate the at times, so the veterinarian may first need to find the and then follow the patellar ligament up to the . Furthermore, some cases require a more extensive X-ray to confirm the condition.
shares many similar symptoms with can also be seen together. This is why it’s important your veterinarian finds an accurate diagnosis, so your dog can be correctly treated.
What Are the Different Types of Patellar Luxation
Medically, there are 4 different grades of which are based on severity:
Grade 1
The can be manipulated out of position manually by a veterinarian but immediately returns to the proper position when released. However, the doesn’t occur spontaneously and doesn’t cause any clinical symptoms.
Grade 2
The can be manipulated out of its normal position by a physician and remains displaced until manually adjusted. This can happen spontaneously but with varying frequencies. This is potentially painful depending on the damage caused to the cartilage by the frequent .
Grade 3
The is out of position the majority of the time. Although the can be manipulated back into place, it will quickly luxate again. Since the Puggle’s frequently luxates, this grade will experience more and your dog will show more signs of limping.
Grade 4
The is permanently out of position and cannot be moved back into the at all. There are usually severe limp structure issues that are present, and your Pug Beagle mix will have extreme mobility struggles.
How To Care for and Treat Your Puggle for Patellar Luxation
Treatment
As you may have guessed, the level of treatment required for your dog depends on the severity of the . Most cases requiring will use a combination of and osseous techniques. Diagnostic imaging is necessary to see the amount of deformity and the method of treatment.
For grade 1 cases, isn’t required and you should monitor your hound for more severe symptoms.
Grade 2 cases will require depending on the frequency of the current symptoms. It ultimately depends on how much your Puggle limps and the severity of the lameness.
However, most grade 1 and 2 cases are treated through non-surgical procedures such as:
- and anti-inflammatory medicine
- Weight management
- Exercise restriction
Your veterinarian will discuss the best option to improve your Puggle’s quality of life.
For grades 3 and 4 is always recommended to treat the because of the these grades cause. These more will erode your Puggle’s cartilage and may cause the development of osteoarthritis.
(MPL)
The exact required to heal your pet depends on the severity of the . However, each is aimed at keeping the in the where it belongs.
Some procedures focus on correcting the soft tissues around the Puggle’s , while other procedures focus on correcting the bones. For the majority of cases, the will be deepened to better maintain the .
This is performed with one of the following methods:
- Block recession
- Trochlear block recession
- Soft tissue imbrications
- Femoral osteotomy
If your Puggle’s patellar ligament is attached to the in the wrong position, the solution is to create a cut in the tibial crest and reattach the in a way that allows the to be properly aligned within the . The surgeon will then use pins to secure the .
There are also cases where the misaligned and its attachments to the cause a twist in your dog’s femur as it grows. If this is the case, your Pug Beagle mix may also require to the femur.
Risks
As with any , there are always some risks to keep in mind.
One common complication due to MPL is infection. It’s important to understand that arthritis will likely develop over time. For this reason, you should make sure your Puggle isn’t overweight or obese. Leanness has been shown to decrease the level of arthritis buildup.
With a higher grade of , there’s an equally higher risk of re- after the operation. If this happens, your pup will require a second .
The good news is most risks can be eliminated by giving your dog extreme rest during the recovery time. You should strictly follow your veterinarian’s rehabilitation guidelines and limit the amount of exercise and movement your Puggle receives.
Cost
It will cost around $1,200 to $2,500 for the MPL . The precise cost depends on your location, surgeon, and hospital. Most often, general veterinarians will charge less than board-certified veterinary surgeons. Keep this in mind as you are looking for treatment options. Furthermore, the cost usually includes the pre and post-surgical obligations: bloodwork, anesthesia, post-surgical care, and medications.
What if You Can’t Afford MPL Surgery
If is out of your budget, you can offer your Puggle rehabilitation () instead. Each session usually costs between $40 to $100. will help strengthen your Puggle’s muscles to support the joint and hold the in the right position.
Patella Luxation Recovery
Following , the total recovery time is approximately 8 to 10 weeks long. During this time, your Puggle should avoid bearing weight on the injured leg for several days post-operation. Your veterinarian will dispense anti-inflammatories and relief medication to help your Puggle deal with the swelling and bruising.
More importantly, you should give your Puggle 4 to 6 weeks of strict rest time. This means your dog will need to stay in a crate or small room and only go out on a leash for potty breaks. After the strict resting period, your Puggle will be able to start moderately walking. We recommend starting off with shorter walk and gradually building to longer lead walks, and your Puggle should not be allowed off lead exercise for the full 8 to 10 weeks of recovery.
If your Puggle needs both legs operated on, you should allow 8 weeks of time between surgeries, and both legs shouldn’t be operated on at once.
Dogs that have grades 1 to 3 in severity can usually expect a great outcome and functionality to their . In fact, over 90% of owners are pleased by the outcome of the and their dogs’ progress. On the other hand, the outcome of grade 4 cases varies because the problem is more challenging to correct and requires more changes to the .
On top of proper rest and recovery, there are some changes you can make at home to keep your Puggle as safe as possible. Pet owners are recommended to keep their Puggle’s nails trimmed and to cut any excessive hair at the bottom of their paws to maximize traction as they’re running. It’s also a good idea to lay rubber mats or yoga mats in your home if you have slippery floors. Finally, you should avoid blocking any stairs or areas your dog is used to jumping over.
If your crossbred pup is overweight, having him shed a few pounds greatly improves his life expectancy and aids in the recovery process.
Is a Luxating Patella a Life-Threatening Condition
Simply put, is not a life-threatening condition, and it usually isn’t an extremely painful condition.
However, if you leave your Puggle untreated, your dog can develop:
- Mild arthritis
- Loss of strength of hind limbs
- Walk with a bowed and hunched appearance
These 3 problems will all decrease the quality of your Puggle’s life since their mobility will be constrained. With this in mind, it’s best to diagnose and treat any symptoms as soon as they arise.
Can You Walk Your Puggle With a Luxating Patella
If your Puggle is diagnosed with a , you can still take your pooch for gentle walks. If you’re Puggle only has a grade 1 or 2 diagnosis, it may be able to tolerate the patellar luxation for many years or its entire life.
How To Help Your Puggle Live a Fulfilling Life With Patella Luxation
Luckily, most canines with don’t require to live a normal life. The issue can be simply solved with rest, relaxation, or therapy.
We recommend talking with a veterinarian to plan out the optimal time limits for exercise and rest, and rehabilitation with a professional physician can greatly improve the strength of your Puggle’s limbs and joints. However, if your Puggle does require , it will be back to its normal playful self once it has recovered.
What Is the Prognosis of Patellar Dislocation in Your Puggle
The prognosis heavily depends on the severity of the , as well as the stage and grade of the condition. If you’re able to perform the before arthritis or other condition arises, the prognosis is great. Your dog will most likely regain full use and motion of its leg. However, your crossbred dog may experience periodic in its leg if arthritis is already present.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, underlying arthritis may also progress and worsen. Your veterinarian will provide the proper anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, and special therapeutic joint diets to curb the progression of arthritis. We also recommend weight reduction for Puggles that are overweight.
If your pooch has a higher grade of , it will also be more prone to further luxations post-.
Conclusion
is a prevalent orthopedic condition seen in Puggles. Most a won’t need surgery to resume their normal life.
Physical rehabilitation has been instrumental in helping Puggle’s recover after and is also an option for Puggle’s that don’t require . Going through physical rehab after helps strengthen the affected muscles and improves the Puggle’s ability to bear weight on its leg by 8 weeks after .
The specific rehabilitation program your Pug Beagle mix needs depends on the type of he received. Patients that have had reconstruction will most likely be given low-impact exercises and routines. In the end, pet parents should seek advice from a certified physical rehabilitation provider to best help their Puggle recover.
