How Do You Identify Patellar Luxation?
Patellar luxation, or slipping knee caps, is a fairly common issue for toy dogs. It is caused by the knee cap popping in and out of place. While this condition is not always a problem for a dog, certain health conditions can exacerbate it and the odds of this condition developing increase with age. Monitor your dog’s activity levels. If your dog has stopped playing as much as he used to or tries to avoid going for walks, then he may be experiencing some mild pain in his hind legs where the knee caps are most prone to slipping. Look for a skipping motion when he walks. Dogs that have chronically slipping knee caps will favor the leg that is affected, causing a skipping motion when they walk. They may occasionally walk on three legs, then return to normal when the pain eases. Check to see if your dog is overweight. With small dogs, even a little extra weight can put serious pressure and strain on their joints, which can lead to patellar luxation. The way to determine if your dog is the r
