Dear All I wanted to share my baby's past 2 months dealing with Grade 4 Luxating Patella and Limb deformity. My (now 4.5 month) puppy was diagnosed with Grade 4 luxating patella in Mid Nov. He underwent a surgery on 5th Dec and an X ray prior to the surgery also revealed that he had fracture on the same hind leg. It seems he had this fracture when he was a baby and that it was healing on its own. The fracture has injured his growth cells as a result of which he has a bow legged appearance and a slightly lame walk. Post the surgery, he was confined to crate rest and he has recovered well. He also has papiloma warts developed around his mouth which aggravated due to post surgery stress (which the vet says will fall off). Today we completed 6 weeks from the surgery date and his X-ray revealed a good recovery from his luxating patella. Doctors however told us that he would need another surgery when he is 11-12 months old to correct the limb deformity. Im planning to take his for weekly hydrotherapy sessions to strengthen his joints. I also give him Glucasamine supplements daily. Unfortunately in India, pet industry (Medical and Food) is not as developed as in other countries. We do not have enough vet (ortho) hospitals where we can take further opinions. Requesting you all to share any similar experience and also advise on how best i can care for him to improve his joint health. Is there a way I can eliminate the possibility of a second surgery altogether? Please also let me know which supplements/treats etc are good for him which i can buy online and get shipped here.
Hi Sharvari, you and your little guy have had a lot to cope with. it sounds like you are doing the best for him already. I would suggest the best quality food you can afford is a good start, keeping his weight down, and a steady, even, exercise programme. I can't remember what evidence there is for supplements, but glucosamine and chondroitin may have some benefits if not optimised in the food you use. jac
Oh what a lot you have both had to cope with , I am so sorry . As @drjs@5 has mentioned above , a supplement of Glucosamine with Chondroitin may just help , it cant alter bone structure , but what it can do is to strengthen muscle mass around the affected joint , so that it can be more easily carried . My own small dog has a lower grade luxating patella which was X rayed to confirm and grade . Our Vet recommended conservative treatment and so she has been on this supplement for six months now and it has made an enormous difference , increasing the muscles . I cannot claim that this would help in every case, but its maybe worth a try and certainly cant do any harm as it is a natural product made in the body of most mammals , it can also be taken alongside anti inflammatory medications . I also set about an exercise regime , taking it very slowly and steadily to start with and feed a pretty high protein food .
I don't have much to add to the posts above but a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement is worth using, I also add Salmon Oil to food once a day, a good exercise regime to build and tone muscle (hydrotherapy with a therapist is very good for this) , a good diet and also ensuring that you keep your pup slim which takes strain off joints.
So sorry that your puppy and you have had to go through this. I agree that a good Gloucosamine product will help but wanted to add that getting one with MSM is the best way to go.
Thanks for your response and genuine concern for my baby. Im a little worried about the growth plate damage. Can it be treated with hydrotherapy and accupuncture?
