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Just adopted a 2 year old male pomerianian. Concerned that he has luxated patellas on both hind llegs.
When he goes for a walk or runs around the yard, he quite often lifts one or the other hind leg. He doesn't appear in any pain, and runs and jumps around the house with wild abandon. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow to get it checked, but does this sound like a problem that could be expensive? The foster lady said he didnt have any health problems, but this looks like it could be one. I dont know if I can afford the surgery that might be required. Bottom line is that we love the little guy, but we dont want to have to spend thousands of dollars that we dont have on surgery, especially when the organization we adopted him from might not have been honest with us about his health. Thanks for any help you can give.
Mike
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Guest 732468
on Jul 22nd 2009
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in Health & Wellness
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What a rescue organization tells you about is the health he had under their care, and if he had any health problems during adoption. They can't tell you his entire health history or if he may develope a genetic disorder. If it is anything, it probably developed after you got him somehow. Just take him to the vets, and go from there. If he needs surgery, you can ask for donations (on this site even, with HQ's permission).
I'm not certain how just his lifting a leg is a sign of a health problem? I've seen many dogs walk along, then stop and hold one of it's legs up for a second, then walk on again.
In any case, better safe than sorry.
Burkett's Cookies 'n' Creme
answered on 7/22/09.
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Luxating patella is definitely a possibility. Dogs can be very good at hiding injuries, and maybe the foster mom just didn't notice. If he does have luxating patella, the surgery can get quite expensive, especially if the dog has it in both knees. The vet should be able to tell you all about it.
Here are some helpful links:
www.peteducation.com
www.offa.org
Bubbles
answered on 7/22/09.
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Sounds like luxating patellas to me. When Daisy was a puppy she did this to when running her one leg would go up and stay up till she slowed down. Both hind legs have it one is worse then the other. Shes 4 now and still no surgery. My vet said alot of times dogs go their whole life and dont need surgery. When older they may get bad artheritis though. But I keep Daisy on the skinny side and been 2 years and she doesnt limp or anything and is not in pain at all. So hopefully when she gets older she wont need any surgery. Just go to the vet see what grade it is. If your pom is like Daisy he will be fine. Good luck and I hope all turns out well.
Daisy
answered on 7/22/09.
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