Hydrotherapy for luxating patella?

[MissShapesMissStakes]

Hi

My dog has just been diagnosed with a grade 2 luxating patella in his back right leg. He does a little hop with it a couple of times a month and the vet says it's not painful so just to carry on as normal and keep an eye on it. He said he's fit and healthy and is only 2 so nothing is needed currently.

I then got googling and saw that some hydrotherapy places recommend it for strengthening muscles around the weaker joint.

We had an awful experience with human physiotherapy a couple of years ago and I am always a little sceptical now about how useful it is for some treatments.

Has anyone got any experience or advice?

Bumping so it's not lost

I’ve no idea about hydrotherapy but our 11 yr old terrier has bilateral grade 2 luxating patellas and when he was diagnosed about 8/9 yrs ago we were told getting him to do the stairs would build the correct muscles and we’ve not really had an issue with them over the years .

Thank you for replying. That's interesting. And free so even better!

I think that keeping him the correct weight and giving a joint supplement has also helped .

Can I ask what joint supplement you give please?

Mines on Canine Joint Right , I get it from Horse supplements direct

My Yorkie has grade 3 in both legs, vet wanted to operate but he did say it was only 'recommended' surgery not essential. My dog was only 1yr old and I thought he was too young for major surgery. He has stopped hopping now, he's very active but we did notice he was restless and uncomfortable at night.
We started him on Yumove and it's made such a difference.
My friend had a Yorkie with this condition for 11 years, he was fine with cod liver oil.

I assume they are grade 3 now as they were previously 2.4 I think and that was a year ago.
At his last check up the vet said his knees have fused totally now but he is so active and shows no sign of pain.

Mine had a patella injury while playing when she was 11 months old and it's slipped a few times since... usually in mid dash when cornering!
Horrible to see as she screams, holds the leg up for a few mins then bounces off again fine.
We started her on Yumove at the vet's suggestion and she's had no trouble for about 5 months (she's 2 now) so I think it's worth it. Also keep him slim!

My dog had a lactating patella - diagnosed at about 8 months. We had it pinned - no further issues, and he lived to 14.

Luxating patella, not lactating patella (auto-correct!)

Thanks everyone.

I read somewhere about yumove not being good for long term but couldn't find actual evidence. Just wondered how long your dogs have been on it?

Yes we will def keep him slim.

Our family dog (terrier of mixed parentage!) had luxating patella, I can’t remember what grade it was, as it was over 10 years ago now. However, it was advised that he should have surgery. The surgery was successful, recovery was good and he started hydrotherapy as soon as the wound was healed enough. I cannot recommend hydro enough. I think we ended up doing it for around 2 years, once or twice every month. Ddog is now 12 and fit as a fiddle.. you’d never know he had such a big op and I do believe it is down to the hydro. Our insurance covered the operation and also some of the hydrotherapy, so that might be something to look in to. With regards to supplements, Dasuquin is great. Quite costly, but IMO worth it. Best of luck OP!

I'm doing this atm for my dog who had surgery for luxating patella. It's to help build the muscle which wasted after surgery. Can't comment on effectiveness as it's early days but the dog enjoyed it.