Understanding your dog's patella (knee) as one the most vital joints in your dogs body is key. It is a vital joint and often overlooked, it is the joint which can mean the difference between your dog enjoying play and walk time and being confined to the house.
An unhealthy/injured knee means your dog may be in pain and not able to walk comfortably. This leads to 'compensation' which means your dog will take more weight than is safe on the other legs - this cascading effect often means one knee joint has a domino effect on all aspects of your dogs health and life.
Patella (knee) health is important for puppies and senior dogs. In the case of puppies patella health and protection is vital.
What is a luxating patella?
A luxating patella in simple terms is a knee joint which moves out of place. Due to this when walking, jumping or climbing your dog may experience mild of severe pain.
It is important to seek medical advice immediately if you notice these changes
- Changes in your dogs walking pattern
- Reluctance to get up quickly
- Looses interest in favourite activities
- "Hopping" on 3 legs or 'Bunny Hopping"
What are assistive devices for paraplegic or handicapped cats and dogs?
Assistive devices for physiotherapy and post surgical support for your dog.
Splints, wheelchairs, braces are all considered assistive devices in pet/ small animal physiotherapy. These devices are both walking and therapy aids. They can be used in clinical settings such as veterinary clinics and physiotherapy centers.
For example, your veterinary physiotherapist may ask you to use a knee brace for your dog with hip dysplasia. The reason is that the brace gives your dog support while walking and moving. Once a joint has support your dog is more likely to move with ease and reduced pain.
This ensures that there is no loss of muscle mass (muscle wastage). If your dog goes through long periods of inactivity and suffers from muscle wastage, it is likely that recovery is delayed.
Comprehensive approach
In conclusion it is a comprehensive approach to knee health. Access to adequate rest, exercise and a good quality diet all contribute to the overall health of your dog. If you buy a puppy the quality of parental health and the breeder you choose is the single most important decision.
Bringing up a puppy with supervised play time and activity also play a huge role in the eventual development of the skeleton. Puppies love to play run and jump. It is joyful to watch them, but it is also important to remember that excessive jumping (especially of beds and sofas) can irreversibly damage your pups knee from a young age.
A healthy knee and skeleton for our canine companions is possible with guidance from your vet, dog trainer and eventually a common sense approach to dog care.
Disclaimer: No part of this blog is intended a medical or therapy advise. Always consult a medical professional before medicating or treating your dog.
