I’m turning to the most practical, experienced thinktank I know–CC Parents! Our dog has been diagnosed with luxating patella. It has progressed to the point at which he dislocated it just trying to do his regular jump into a living room chair (he is a Bichon). I read that the surgery can result in failure–the kneecap just continues to pop back out. This condition isn’t minor–we had to give him sedatives for the pain last night, and I had to stay up with him for 3 hours of anxiety. The pain can be treated with medication, but mostly they do surgery for the more severe ones. Our dog is 12 and a half, and is already in treatment for liver disease. I have read one vet who says it is acceptable to get a wheelchair (only 135 dollars!) to make sure the dog can still take his walks. Does anyone have experience with this condition?
My Coton de Tulear, also 12 1/2 years old, has luxating patella on his right rear leg and now arthritis in that joint. It started some years ago. Now he is also in the early stages of tracheal collapse syndrome.
It doesn’t sound like our dog’s condition is as advanced as yours as our vet did not recommend surgery and he’s mostly doing OK. We give him a daily glucosamine chondrite supplement and he has pain meds if the knee dislocates and he starts limping. His walks are usually very short and there are days where he wont jump up on the couch/chair.
At this point, I’m just making sure his quality of life is good. I would not put him through a surgery at his age because the vet is even concerned about putting him under for a dental cleaning (I think because of the tracheal collapse syndrome).
Sending good wishes to you and your pup! I hope he can get some relief.
When our dog started having trouble jumping to his favorite spot (our bed) we got him a set of carpeted stairs so at least he could do that.
He also was prescribed one low dose aspirin a day…but that was our dog. And the vet never recommended surgery.
I hope you find a good solution for your sweet pooch.
My dog had the surgery when she was 1.5 years and it was successful. She is now8. I’m not sure that I would do it for such an old dog though.
Thanks for all of your help! Our vet is really pro-surgery, so I will explore the medication options more.
Is there any sort of soft brace that could be used to keep the patella in place? Are such things even made for dogs?
I wondered that as well. There are some, apparently, but our vet did not recommend them. However, I don’t want to be unfair to the vet–they are sending our dog to the “dog orthopedist” for an expert opinion. 
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