A dog's knee joint has many working parts, which means there's a lot that can go wrong! One of the most common knee problems in dogs is luxating patella, also called a "floating knee cap. This happens when the patella (kneecap) on either or both hind legs moves out of the knee. Although any dog can be affected, the condition is most often seen in toy breeds, in which the patella luxates to the inside. Luxations to the outside are less common and are most often seen in large breeds such as Newfoundlands. The condition can occur due to an injury; however, it is usually hereditary.

A dog with a luxating patella may appear to limp or skip and then go back to walking or running normally. The condition can predispose a dog to a ligament rupture. We can monitor the condition and may recommend surgery if it progresses to a higher grade.

If your dog is suddenly lame, it might be a ruptured cruciate ligament. The cruciate ligament keeps the upper and lower parts of the rear leg in alignment. When this ligament is torn, the knee joint becomes unstable and the dog tries to avoid putting weight on it. Painful inflammation and arthritis can develop if untreated. Surgery is the preferred treatment. If surgery is not an option for your dog, we can perform acupuncture and keep your dog on pain medication and glucosamine. 

Knee problems are painful! Be sure to contact us if your dog is limping or shows any signs of lameness.

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