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Patella luxation in dogs: causes, symptoms and treatment

Patella luxation in dogs

In case of a patella luxation, the kneecap of the dog jumps out of its actual position. It can occur in various degrees of severity and is particularly manifested by lameness.


In the following we will explain how exactly a patella luxation occurs in dogs, which breeds are particularly susceptible and which treatment options are available.


You will also learn how to promote joint health in your dog and prevent patella luxation.

What is patella luxation in dogs?

Just like humans, a dog's patella (kneecap) is a flat disc-shaped bone that sits in front of the knee joint. There it is held in the correct position by various ligaments and tendons.


However, it can happen for various reasons that the kneecap of the dog jumps out. In this case it is called a patella dislocation. What consequences this has for the four-legged friend depends mainly on the severity of the dislocation.

A patella luxation can occur in dogs in the following degrees of severity:

  • Grade 1: The patella jumps out for a short time and after a few steps it slides back into its original position by itself.
  • Grade 2: The patella does not jump back on its own, but has to be brought manually into its normal position.
  • Grade 3: The patella can be manually repositioned, but after a short time it keeps jumping out again and again.
  • Grade 4: The patella dislocation is permanent and manual resetting of the affected patella is no longer possible. 

Causes of patella dislocation in dogs

Patella dislocation in dogs can have various causes. First of all, it is of course possible that the kneecap pops out due to an accident. If this is the case, often the ligaments in the knee tear.


Far more often, however, patella dislocation occurs in dogs due to anatomical peculiarities that have existed since birth. Such a peculiarity can be, for example, a kneecap that is too large or too small, or a glide channel that is too flat and does not give the patella sufficient support.


In addition, patella luxation in dogs can at least be promoted by joint diseases such as arthrosis, overweight, congenital malposition of the hind legs, lack of musculature and weak connective tissue.

In which dogs is there an increased risk of patella luxation?

The risk of suffering from patella luxation is not the same in all dogs. Mostly small dog breeds are affected, while medium and large animals rarely have problems.

An increased risk of patella dislocation exists in the following dogs, among others:

Recognizing a patella dislocation

Recognizing a patella dislocation in the dog

A protruding kneecap of course inevitably leads to the affected joint no longer being able to move properly. In addition, the patella dislocation is of course associated with pain for the dog. 


It can therefore be recognized in particular by the fact that the injured leg is suddenly held up for no apparent reason. By walking on three legs with the characteristic hopping gait, the dog tries to relieve the knee affected by the patella luxation.

A dog with a patella luxation must go to the veterinarian

If you notice any signs of patella luxation in your dog, a prompt visit to the vet is advisable. The veterinarian can examine the knee of the four-legged friend and determine the necessary treatment measures based on the severity of the dislocation.

Treatment of a patella luxation in dogs

A slight dislocation of the patella can usually be corrected quite easily in dogs. First, the patella that has popped out is put back in place by hand. Then the knee joint is temporarily immobilized with a splint. In order to avoid damage due to improper procedures, the knee joint should be set by a veterinarian.


If patellar luxation occurs repeatedly, conservative treatment may no longer be sufficient and surgical intervention may be necessary. The operation is carried out under general anaesthesia and aims to fix the patella in its original position and thus prevent it from jumping out again.


After the operation, it is important that the affected knee joint is spared for several weeks. As a holder you should therefore make sure that your four-legged friend takes it easy and does not climb stairs. 


If necessary, the veterinarian will prescribe painkillers for your dog. In addition, physiotherapy can help to maintain the mobility of the knee joint and strengthen the muscles.

Prognosis for dogs with patella luxation

How well your dog survives his patella luxation depends not least on the severity of the dislocation and the frequency with which it occurs. In the case of a patella dislocation with a severity of 1 to 3, the chances are usually very good that the dog's patella will pop out without permanent damage.


In dogs with a patella dislocation with severity 4, however, this is not always the case and it may well be that the animal suffers permanently from the consequences of the kneecap dislocation. 


In general, the earlier the patella luxation is detected and treated in the dog, the better the prognosis.

Bellfor Joints & Bones for dogs with patellar luxation

Patellar luxation is extremely painful for dogs. As an owner, you should therefore do your utmost to prevent a dislocation of the patella or to adequately support the recovery of your four-legged friend.


For this purpose, we recommend a dietary supplement with Bellfor Joints & Bones. The high-quality preparation is available both as capsules and in the form of tasty biscuits. Bellfor Joints & Bones contains the innovative active ingredient complex Ovopet, which provides your four-legged friend with a unique combination of more than 500 different ingredients.


These include collagen, hyaluronic acid and glucosamine. Ovopet is extracted from the eggshell membrane of hen's eggs and can make a decisive contribution to joint health, which is also of great importance with regard to the prevention of patella luxation in your dog, or to support veterinary treatment.


Get to know about Bellfor Joints & Bones.

Is your dog too fat?

In addition to an optimal nutrient supply to the joints, it is advisable to keep an eye on the dog's weight with regard to the prevention of patellar luxation. If necessary, an individually adapted diet should be implemented promptly. In this case, we recommend supplementing the diet with our natural diet powder Shiimun Slim.


Apart from this, it is advisable to keep an eye on the weight of the dog, not least to avoid patella luxation. If necessary, an individually adapted diet should be followed promptly. In this case, we recommend supplementing the diet with our natural diet powder Shiimun Slim.

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