Luxating patella in dogs – signs and what to do
Contact a vet todayContact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. It means your dog’s kneecap is dislocating, or slipping out of place.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm
- Keep fresh water available
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine
- Do not wait if it gets worse
What it is
Luxating patella means a dislocating kneecap.[1] Some dogs with this may hold up a back leg and hop for a few seconds.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How a vet finds out
- X-rays
- A vet carefully feels your dog’s knee
- Tests to check the stability of the kneecap
- A check of your dog’s cruciate ligaments
How vets treat it
- Surgery
- Anti-inflammatories
- Pain relief
- Physiotherapy
Breeds prone to this
Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.
ChihuahuaWhat the experts say
“Overview. Does your dog occasionally hold a back leg up and hop along for a few seconds? If so, they may be suffering from patella luxation. ‘Patella’ is the scientific name for the kneecap, and ‘patella luxation’ simply means ‘dislocating kneecap’.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.
Common questions
What is a luxating patella?
It means a dislocating kneecap.[1]
What signs might a dog show?
A dog may intermittently hop or skip and may be stiff.[1]
How may a vet check it?
A vet may carefully feel your dog’s knee and perform tests to check the stability of the kneecap. They may also check the cruciate ligaments.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages