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Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 30, 2011, 21:15:48 PM

Title: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 30, 2011, 21:15:48 PM
Two weeks ago I noticedZephyr had what I thought was a clicky hip when he was walking.  We went to the vet and she checked him out said his hips all seemed fine but I should keep an eye on him and give him metacam and bring him back on the 31st (tomorrow).

I have been keeping an eye on him and it's not getting any better ... I was just giving him lots of cuddles and as I picked him up I could feel his knee was clicky.  Done a bit of searching and from what I have read I am 90% sure he has a luxating patella (dislocating knee cap).  I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this?
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on January 30, 2011, 23:00:49 PM
Lexy has two of them. If you recall her very first surgeries were to tighten her tendons and once we did that she was fine.

I'd get his vet to verify though as it might not be a dislocation though he may have the potential to do that at some point.

Its common hun so don't worry too much. Often they don't even need surgery as it corrects itself. He's an active cat so might just need muscle strengthening to help him out.
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 30, 2011, 23:08:15 PM
Cheers Ruth.  How exactly would we go about muscle strengthing  :scared:   Do I have to take him to the gym?

Will let you know what the vet says tomorrow afternoon.
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on January 30, 2011, 23:14:07 PM
Just exercise him, gentle exercises where he has to use that leg to jump or chase. Nothing strenuous. I still have to exercise Lexy, especially now with her diabetes she has some muscle wastage on her hind legs. Difference between Lexy and Zephyr is that she's lazy first, active second :evillaugh:
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 30, 2011, 23:47:20 PM
I was thinking he has too much exercise as it is.  He jumps from the florr to the worktop about 50 times a day ... goes up and over the six foot fences round the garden 6 or 7 times a day plus regular running up and down the stairs (which are very steep).  The vet did say that he might have to lose weight ... he's 6.1 kg! But he's not exactly tubby.
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on January 30, 2011, 23:53:47 PM
Ducha has dislocated a bone in the wrist and is now on 6 weeks cage rest, its same side as his missing back leg, so hope Zephyr will fare much better  :hug:
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 31, 2011, 00:10:17 AM
Ducha has dislocated a bone in the wrist and is now on 6 weeks cage rest, its same side as his missing back leg, so hope Zephyr will fare much better  :hug:

Ahh poor Ducha ... hope he gets well soon  :hug:
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: JackSpratt on January 31, 2011, 00:14:36 AM
Not in cats, no. My cousin actually has this condition! Hope Zephyr's OK. :hug:
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Tagalong on January 31, 2011, 09:38:44 AM
Froglet my Battersea foster /keeper has a genetic condition similar to hypermobility Syndrome in people -all her joints dislocate due to weak tendons -she has hip displasia and had luxating patellas -however now the knees have locked upright causing an arch in her spine-at one time she was going to be operated on for hips and knees but her problem is in her front limbs too so it was decided against -she will need joint supplements when older but there is no real treatment
I have a Yorkie with luxating patellas however they go back in position and it's not often they cause a problem.
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 31, 2011, 14:12:40 PM
Froglet my Battersea foster /keeper has a genetic condition similar to hypermobility Syndrome in people -all her joints dislocate due to weak tendons -she has hip displasia and had luxating patellas -however now the knees have locked upright causing an arch in her spine-at one time she was going to be operated on for hips and knees but her problem is in her front limbs too so it was decided against -she will need joint supplements when older but there is no real treatment
I have a Yorkie with luxating patellas however they go back in position and it's not often they cause a problem.


Thanks for the info.  Poor little Froglet  :hug:
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 31, 2011, 18:21:55 PM
Well we had afollow up today and he does have a slippy knee cap .. but nothing to worry about at the moment.  Just monitor and go for a follow up in a month.  He will need an op at some point but not yet.
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on January 31, 2011, 18:29:34 PM
Thats a relief and at least you know what the situation is  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on February 01, 2011, 00:22:49 AM
Great to hear, Sam, the good news is that this can be managed and monitored. With Lexy we had to do it asap as she had damaged her tendons but if it can wait, all the better for the handsome little man.

Title: Re: luxating patella ... anyone had any experience
Post by: clarenmax on February 01, 2011, 09:39:38 AM
Good news Sam  :hug:

I could just imagine him with his dumb bells and home gym to strenghten his muscles  :shy:  :Luv:  :evillaugh: