Expert: Kaza - 9/18/2008

Question
My Bichon Frise,Missy is 10 yrs.old. Has always been active and healthy up until last week. She hurt her back leg several times over the course of a week. She would yelp and hold it up for a bit. Then she was okay. After doing this for about 4 days, she has totally flipped on us. She was shaking and panting uncontrollably, so off to the vet we went. They x-rayed her back legs, and she has a low grade patella luxation. Surgery is not reccommended. The major problem is that she won't walk. When she does take a few steps, it's as if she gets jolted in her back leg and she looks for one of us or onto the sofa or in the cage.She's either in her cage or on the sofa. We carry her out to do her business and all she wants to do is climb up our legs.Eventually she will void and then we have to pick her back up and go in. She will not go to her food or water. We have had her for 10 years. Nothing has changed. What do we do? Thanks. Sorry, the letter is long.

Answer
Hello I have lots of experience with slipping patella and as such I would recommend a daily course of  glucosamine and chondratin, salmon oil and a good diet that doesnt allow weight gain.She is likely to be in some pain hence not walking so as soon as you can get these tabs into her the better she will feel and soon be jumping about .

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