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Patellar Luxation (Dislocation) in Pets

A veterinarian examining a dog
Patellar luxation is a common orthopedic condition in which the kneecap moves out of its normal position. It can affect one or both knees, and frequently occurs due to abnormalities of the bones or ligaments above and below the knee that affect how the knee is aligned in the joint. Occasionally, a luxating patella can occur due to trauma to the knee. The kneecap may shift, or luxate, towards the inner thigh (medial) or towards the outer thigh (lateral). Cats and small breed dogs typically experience a medial luxation whereas larger breed dogs typically experience a lateral luxation.

Luxating Patella in Pets

A veterinarian examining a dog
A luxating patella is a common orthopedic condition in which the kneecap moves out of its normal position. It can affect one or both knees, and frequently occurs due to abnormalities of the bones or ligaments above and below the knee that affect how the knee is aligned in the joint. Occasionally, a luxating patella can occur due to trauma to the knee. The kneecap may shift, or luxate, towards the inner thigh (medial) or towards the outer thigh (lateral). Cats and small breed dogs typically experience a medial luxation whereas larger breed dogs typically experience a lateral luxation.

Rehabilitation Therapy for Pets

The goal of rehabilitation in animals is to manage and treat injuries or conditions that limit mobility, cause pain, or negatively impact an animal’s quality of life. Known as physical therapy in human medicine, rehabilitation provides the following benefits: pain relief, improved circulation, strengthened muscles, healthy weight loss, and faster healing after an injury. Veterinarians certified in rehabilitation develop customized treatment plans depending on the animal and condition. A treatment plan may include a variety of different therapies designed to improve mobility, increase strength, or decrease pain. Patients who are postoperative, arthritic, geriatric, obese, or have a neurological condition may all benefit from rehabilitation.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is one of the most common spinal conditions in dogs and is especially prevalent in dogs with a long back and short legs. Your dog’s spinal column is made up of a series of backbones (vertebrae) with disc-shaped cushions between them. These cushions, which are known as intervertebral discs, act as shock absorbers for the spine and also provide stability. Each cushioning disc has a thick covering on the outside, with a softer, gel-like core. Over time, the outer portion of the disc breaks down while the inner portion hardens. If the outer portion breaks down too much, the hardened interior can bulge or burst into the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves as they branch off the spinal cord. This is commonly referred to as a herniated disc or slipped disc, and it can cause a wobbly walk, back or neck pain, nerve damage, and even hind limb paralysis. Generally speaking, there are two types of IVDD: Type I primarily affects young to middle-aged dogs. It occurs mainly in chondrodystrophic breeds, which are the dogs with the long back and short legs. In these dogs, breakdown of the disc (or discs) tends to begin early in life, leaving the disc vulnerable to damage from activities that usually would be considered normal. If an at-risk dog jumps off a couch or takes a sharp turn while chasing a ball, the hardened disc may bulge against the spinal cord causing sudden pain or gait changes. Type II primarily affects older large breed dogs such as Labrador retrievers and German shepherds, and signs tend to appear more gradually. In type II IVDD, breakdown of the disc causes it to bulge into the spinal canal over a period of weeks or months causing slow and gradual loss of the ability to walk normally. IVDD can occur anywhere in the spine but is most common in the middle of it (between the shoulders and hips) or in the neck. When it occurs in the middle of the spine, only the hindlimbs are affected while all four limbs may be affected if the problem exists in the neck.

Limping in Pets: Causes and Treatments

Limping or lameness is a condition in which an animal’s gait (walk) is affected by a pain in one or more legs. Familiarizing yourself with the way your pet moves can help you notice when something doesn’t look right.