Sun 2nd Oct: Let's talk about knees

Alex had a great time on the terrace today

It was perfect weather for the puppies at Whiskers N Paws today, and thanks once again to Jimmy Tsang for volunteering his services as our photographer for the afternoon Puppy Adoption Day 2nd Oct 2022.  Little Alex was a first-timer today, and he's one of our smaller-sized puppies who won't grow to be bigger than a medium size as an adult. 

Today was a day of disappointments mainly, as potential adopters who had made appointments to come for certain dogs didn't turn up, meaning of course the dogs didn't leave as expected.  Granted I'm older now (you could say old in fact), and my views might be old-fashioned, but a message of any kind just to let us know would be appreciated. 

Meadow heading home

However there was one bright moment in the day, when blind shih tzu Meadow was adopted.  This very sweet girl had been found in  a rubbish dump, her untreated dry-eye resulting in her losing her sight. As we know from Beemer's earlier adoption, there is a home for every (small) dog if we wait long enough, and today was Meadow's time. 

Meadow when she arrived in July

We have had so many adoption enquiries for our two poodles, Samuel and Frodo, but both have patella luxation (slipping kneecap) that requires surgery, so I want to write about this subject, or health problem, that comes up so often in small dogs.  You might see a dog suddenly stop while running along, kick out one back leg, and then carry on.  This is because the kneecap has popped out of place and the kick puts it back in.  If left untreated, meaning surgery, the problem will get worse until arthritis develops and the dog becomes completely lame.  Dogs with advanced bilateral patella luxation (both knees) will walk with bow legs as the kneecaps are permanently out of place, until finally they can't walk at all.  

 Patella luxation is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs.  The luxation (movement) can be medial, lateral, or bidirectional. The vast majority of luxations are medial and diagnosed in small breed dogs. Lateral luxation occurs less frequently and is commonly diagnosed in large or giant breed dogs. The incidence of patella luxation in small breed dogs is 12 times higher compared with large breed dogs.

Neuter status seems to be a risk factor, with neutered dogs having about 3 times the odds of developing patella luxation, which is why early neutering of males is not recommended and we suggest waiting until at least a year old, or until full growth has been achieved.  (For females we still recommend desexing at 6 months to prevent unwanted puppies).

Most dogs are affected on one side only,  however bilateral luxation may also commonly occur.  Patella luxation is usually identified in young dogs, but clinical signs may become evident as the animal grows. For this reason, most luxations are diagnosed in young adults, generally within 3 years of age.

Most common breeds affected by patella luxation include poodle, pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, chihuahua, French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Cavalier King Charles, bichon frise, pug, English Bulldog, West Highland terrier, Jack Russell and shih tzu.

Samuel

Regarding Samuel, as I have previously written, he was bought from a breeder as a perfect puppy, something that was emphasised when he was surrendered for being too active.  At only a year old, Samuel is a typical bouncy poodle, not helpful when it comes to his knees, one of which requires immediate surgery.  I'd hoped we could wait until he was slightly more mature but it's already at the point when it needs to be fixed.  

Frodo

Frodo is older at eight years, so for him the required rest period after surgery is going to be somewhat easier, but it's still tough for a normally active dog to have to have strictly restricted exercise for even a short time. 

We probably have foster homes now for both Samuel and Frodo, but obviously homes that are interested in adoption are preferable.