[AussieLass]

So how old is the average Chi when luxating patella symptoms first show up?

I'm presuming it's < 1 year, or is it something that can & does pop up at any age, even late in life?

 

[Rocky]

Rocky was about 2 years old when we first saw signs of LP.
I know some breeders who let their breeding dogs get tested every couple of years as they can even get LP when they are older.
And a friends Chi got LP way before 1 year old.

So I guess it can come at any time/ any age.

 

[Chihuahuasloveme]

From what I have read on here it can come at any age I've also read if they get it young it's probably genetic and if it comes later in life it's from wear and tear?

 

[susan davis]

One of mine was 5 years old when her grade 2 luxation became painful. She had to have both knees done at one time. She's fine now.

 

[charchi]

Hi Aussie lass, my charchi has just had his left knee done 10 days ago, and he will turn 1 next month. The surgen done a great job, only been 10 days but already hes walking around with no problem, even though i,m doing my best to try and keep him from over doing it he has been taking the odd jump here and there which i,m trying to stop him doing but honestly he,s doing so well. His stitches come out this saturday.I,m not sorry i got this done better now then when their older, good luck- janet.

 

[flippedstars]

I have a 2 1/2 year old who has grade 2 knees and he has no symptoms.

I test my breeding dogs or show puppies starting at 14 weeks of age, 6 months of age, 1 year of age, 18 months of age 2 years of age and 4 years of age. If they are still clearing/passing at 2 years of age, they are supposedly genetically free of the problem. But usually you will not see a problem later if they are free of it at that point.

A lot of dogs with LP don't show signs. Others are crippled by it. So, its hard to say "IT IS THIS WAY" or "IT IS THAT WAY'.

Some puppies will have luxation at 8 weeks of age but be fine by a year. You have to have a vet that knows how to check for conformation of the rear structure and knee joint because all puppies until about 12-14 weeks should and will have some laxity in the ligament.

 

[AussieLass]

I have a 2 1/2 year old who has grade 2 knees and he has no symptoms.

I test my breeding dogs or show puppies starting at 14 weeks of age, 6 months of age, 1 year of age, 18 months of age 2 years of age and 4 years of age. If they are still clearing/passing at 2 years of age, they are supposedly genetically free of the problem. But usually you will not see a problem later if they are free of it at that point.

A lot of dogs with LP don't show signs. Others are crippled by it. So, its hard to say "IT IS THIS WAY" or "IT IS THAT WAY'.

Some puppies will have luxation at 8 weeks of age but be fine by a year. You have to have a vet that knows how to check for conformation of the rear structure and knee joint because all puppies until about 12-14 weeks should and will have some laxity in the ligament.

Wow Flipped, that's a very rigorous testing schedule, well done you! Shame a lot more breeders don't follow your lead from the number of dogs I see suffering from it.

I thought that may be the case about genetic & wear & tear, although I was a year out from the genetic pov, thinking it would show up around or under one year of age.

I basically treat LP the same as I always did HD in my large brutes, and that is absolutely no stairs, no jumping up or down, no standing on back legs, or galloping around like a demon dog for hours on end. I guess what I'm saying is minimal exercise until bones are fully formed, developed/set, but even then, I still don't allow jumping at all, ever.

 

[di772]

Hi Everyone, Im a newbie. I just adopted a Chi with a luxating patella. How much does it cost for the operation? When do you know they need one? What joint supplement is best for her to be on.?

 

[di772]

Greetings, Can you suggest the best joint supplement for a 5.7lb. Chi?

 

[Chihuahualuv2]

Our Chloe has LP on both sidesa. We just adpoted her a couple months ago. I didn't ask the vet what grade and he didn't say. I just took her in the day we brought her home because her gait seemed off to me. Maybe from years of working with horses I recognized the gait seemed odd, because my husband didn't really notice it and she has no problems with it at all so far. She just turned 2 so we'll see what happens as she ages. I'm not currently giving her any glucosamine or chondroitin because there is some already in her food (Wellness Core Small Breed). Maybe I should be? The vet also said to make sure to keep her weight normal because chi's can gain weight easily and that's obviously bad for her knees. Good luck with the LP's and I'll be interested to know what people are supplementing in addition to what is in the food.

 

[So_many_chis]

It appeared with one of mine in the first year. He's doing ok but will need them done in the near future.

 

[di772]

Thank you, I will try the Wellness Core small breeds. I was going to contact smartpak, yes I too am a Horse addict.. I never had such a tiny dog before. I want to do the best I can for her. What a LOVE she is. Out Irish Jack, Bl Lab and **** mix so far love her very much.

 

[Chihuahualuv2]

The Wellness Core Small Breed must taste good too because now my terrier wants some mixed with his senior Nutro food. lol! Yes, so far our little dog has been wonderful. She fit in really easily into our family! They seem like such snugglers, the Chi's!

 

[di772]

Thank you for the food suggestions, I bought the acana and the wellness. My chi "Lilly" loves both Yeay! No need for supplement because its in there already. Put Lilly on one any way just as a loading dose. Then just feed for maintance wow awsome. Why dont they do this with horse feed? My picky eater JR "Tally" loves the Wellness, she wont eat the Acana, sssooo I usr the wellness as a treat! No more chicken treats for Tally. I love this site! Best answers in short time... Love it thank you fellow animal addicts!!!!!!!!!!!