Luxating patella?

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

My dog is a 5 year old toy poodle who is big in height for a toy poodle, so more like the size of a miniature. He had a luxating patella as a pup and was operated on, he has a bit of arthritis in the joint but has otherwise, not been bothered by it at all.

He starting randomly letting out a squeal (while doing nothing in particular) and holding his 'good' hind leg up. I phoned the vet when it happened on Friday early evening, they suggested Metacam and rest. It's happened on and off a few times over the weekend and isn't getting better. When the leg 'goes', he gets relief from it being massaged, so I'm convinced it's another luxating patella. However, when he was a pup, it happened every few weeks (gradually getting worse) but not frequently over a course of a few days. Any ideas? (I will get him looked at tomorrow btw.)

It's been confirmed as a luxating patella with surgery on the cards. I hate seeing him like this. Any tips to keep him comfortable? He's on metacam.

More likely to be luxating due to a cruciate ligament rupture. Once this is repaired/operated on the patella often stats where it should without surgery. If you have insurance then request referral. Traumatic patella luxation is rare alone and most often in the circs you describe - acute injury - cruciate rupture much more likely with patella lux secondary to joint instability.

(am a vet btw)

Thanks cats for your reply. We actually saw the vet who owns the whole large independent surgery, she is very experienced, so I trust her opinion BUT I don't think it's fair for him to cope with this long-term. I have excellent insurance, think I'm going to ask for a referral. She would refer to the vet hospital anyway as she said she doesn't do many of those surgeries. It's the Royal Veterinary College in Potters Bar, so I assume they are the very best!

Aww good luck, let us know the outcome