Patellar Luxation in Dogs

Category: Bone & Joint
Inheritance: Multifactorial
Breeds documented: 102
Published sources: 28

Overview

During normal knee movement, the kneecap tracks along a channel in the thighbone. Patellar luxation happens when it slips out of that groove, toward either side of the knee. Some dogs show only an occasional skipping step, while others develop more frequent limping and discomfort. One or both knees can be affected, and repeated displacement can damage joint cartilage and lead to arthritis.

Signs to watch for

Briefly skipping on three legs before walking normally again
Shaking or stretching a back leg before using it again
Limping that becomes more frequent
Bowed back legs in some severely affected puppies

Often develops early in life; mild cases may be found during a routine examination.

When to get help Book a vet visit if skipping steps or repeated back-leg limping appears.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets feel the kneecap's position and stability during an examination and grade the severity to help choose treatment. X-rays can reveal changes in the bones and other joint problems. In more complex cases, a CT scan provides detailed images of leg alignment and helps a surgeon plan correction.

Breeds with documented risk

102 breeds

By breed size

21 Toy
55 Small
21 Medium
4 Large
1 Giant

All 102 breeds, A to Z

Finnish Spitz

Havanese
Havapoo Source petmd.com

Icelandic Sheepdog

Keeshond

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Source kooikerhondje.nl
Norfolk Terrier
Norrbottenspets Source spj.fi
Norwich Terrier

Papillon
Parson Russell Terrier
Pekingese
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Pharaoh Hound
Pointer
Polish Tatra Sheepdog Source podhalanski.fi
Pomchi Source petmd.com
Pomeranian
Portuguese Podengo Grande
Portuguese Podengo Medio
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Source podengo.net
Prague Ratter Source prazsky-krysarik.cz
Presa Canario
Puggle Source petmd.com
Puli
Pumi

Schipperke
Shiba Inu
Shichon Source petmd.com
Shih Tzu
Shih-Poo
Shorkie Source petmd.com
Silky Terrier
Smooth Fox Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Standard Pomsky Source petmd.com
Swedish Elkhound (jämthund) Source skk.se
Swedish Vallhund

Inheritance

Multifactorial
Several genes and the environment together set the risk. Diet, growth rate, weight and exercise can all play a part. There is no single DNA test. Screening the parents (for example hip or elbow scores) and choosing from lines with good results lowers the risk, but does not remove it.
As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.