What is Patellar Luxation in Dogs?

by Tonya Mickelson

When I first got my Maltese-Yorkie puppy, Mila, I learned that knee problems are common in toy and small breed dogs, so I have to be careful that she doesn't jump from furniture very often, if at all. Yet when I brought Mila to the veterinarian just a few days ago, she told me that my six month old puppy definitely has a luxating patella in both of her back legs. Patellar luxation is a common knee problem in small breed dogs.

What is a luxating patella?

A luxating patella is otherwise known as a slipping kneecap, which can cause lameness in dogs. The "patella" is the kneecap; in a normal dog, there are two bony ridges that form a deep groove in which the patella slides up and down. These structures control the activity of the quadriceps muscle by limiting the patella's movement to one place. 

In some dogs, the ridges forming this groove are too shallow, which causes the patella to "luxate", or jump sideways out of the groove. The leg subsequently locks up, with the foot held off the ground. When this happens, the patella usually cannot return to its normal position until the quadriceps muscle relaxes and lengthens. When he feels the pain caused by the knee cap sliding across the ridges of the femur, you might hear a little yelp. 

How serious is patellar luxation?

 

Luxating patellas are graded on a scale from one to five. The veterinarian didn't tell me where Mila currently is on the scale, but I would guess that she is at either Grade One or Two. As far as I can tell, she doesn't have any symptoms other than an occasional bunny-hop. The vet only discovered her luxating patellas via physical exam. 

Grade One are luxations that are found in a physical exam of the dog; the patella can be luxated manually, but it doesn't do this much on its own yet. Grade Two occurs when there is occasional spontaneous lameness, but the patella quickly returns to its normal position. Grade Three patellar luxations are more frequent bouts of lameness, and the patella does not return to its normal position on its own. Grade Four occurs when the leg cannot be straightened manually, and the dog is in a good amount of pain. Finally, Grade Five patellar luxation is when the dog won't use his legs and the patella is permanently dislocated. 

Patellar luxation can become a problem if it is ignored. Once the problem reaches a serious stage, surgery might be required. It is likely that Mila will eventually need surgery to correct her luxating patellas, but for now, I can only ensure that she refrains from jumping off furniture and avoids frequent high-impact activities. 

References
Patella Luxation and Treatment in Dogs, VetInfo.com
Luxating Patella, PetEducation.com

Are Your Dog's Eating Habits Normal?

Determining dietary needs, feeding schedules, and more

by Tonya Mickelson

Mila got a special birthday treat!

Does your dog gobble down his food the second it hits the bowl? Does he seem to be a finicky eater? Different dogs have different dietary needs, and feeding schedules may vary from breed to breed. We just want our beloved canine friends to be as healthy as they can possibly be. So, how can you tell if your dog's eating habits are normal? 

A Dog's Dietary Needs

 

Dogs need to eat a healthy, balanced diet, just like us. Some people prefer to feed their dogs a raw food diet -- certain large canine breeds, particularly. Some like to make a balanced diet of homemade meals for their beloved pets. However, most dogs do well with a high quality dry food diet, unless they cannot chew it due to dental problems -- then canned or pureed food may be the only option. Since my dog has allergies, I feed her a special holistic food made for dogs with allergies. Does your pet have special needs? Consult a veterinarian for dietary recommendations.

Determining a Feeding Schedule

 

Some dog breeds should eat several small meals per day, while others can go as long as 24 to 36 hours between feeding times. Typically, twice a day is sufficient. Does your small dog suffer from hypoglycemia? You may need to feed your pet up to three small meals per day. Certain larger working breed dogs may only be able to eat one large meal every 24 hours. Just be sure to feed your dog at the same time(s) every day and to always keep fresh drinking water available. 

Is Your Dog a Finicky Eater?

 

My dog used to gobble down her food when she was a growing puppy -- sometimes, she ate much too quickly. Now, she is not interested in her food unless she is really hungry. She would eat only people-food if she could. However, it is never a good idea to accommodate your dog's eating preferences because this will only encourage her habits. She will eat when she is hungry. If you mix human food or treats with her dry food just for the sake of getting her to eat, she will expect you to do it every time. 

Finicky eating could also be due to deeper health issues, such as periodontal disease or a type of disorder. If your pet suddenly stops eating for no apparent reason, always visit with a veterinarian to determine the cause. 

References:
Basic Feeding Guide: Puppies and Adult Dogs
Your Dog's Feeding Schedule

 

**Disclaimer: This article is meant to be used for informational purposes only, and it is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice. Please consult with your pet's veterinarian if you notice odd behavior or strange eating habits.

Cool Summer Treats for Your Morkie

by Tonya Mickelson 

On a hot summer day, my Morkie, Mila, enjoys a refreshing treat just like you and me. But ice cream may not be an appropriate summer snack for your dog; make sure to only give your pets treats that are not going to upset their digestive system or otherwise harm them. Consider these cool summer treat ideas for your Morkie. 

Frozen green beans

 

Mila loves to eat frozen green beans in the summer. She will happily munch on a few when allowed, and I don't mind giving them to her because they are healthy for dogs as well as people. If you don't have any frozen green beans on hand, your Morkie might like some frozen carrot slices or another type of vegetable that is safe for dogs. 

Ice cubes with hidden treats

 

Hide treats inside ice cubes for your Morkie to lick her way toward on a hot summer day. Chicken, cheese chunks, blueberries, and various other safe foods will be much appreciated once your pet reaches the middle. If nothing else, give her a plain ice cube to help stay cool and hydrated. 

Doggy popsicles

 

Make homemade doggy popsicles by blending your Morkie's favorite ingredients, then freeze them in an ice cube tray. For example, a banana, plain yogurt, and peanut butter make an excellent sweet-but-safe doggy popsicle that your pup will surely appreciate on a hot day. Other ideas include chicken broth, pumpkin, and apples. 

Frozen kong treats

 

If you have a toy, such as the kong, with a hole in the center, fill it with peanut butter or any of the ideas listed above, then freeze. Reward your Morkie with this treat on a hot summer day. Mila loves to work on licking peanut butter out of her kong toy, and it keeps her busy for a long time. 

Tips to Keep Your Morkie Cool in the Summer

Be sure to avoid giving your dog the following foods: onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, broccoli, milk, and alcohol, among other foods that may cause digestive upset or other health hazards. 

What is your Morkie's favorite cool treat in the summer?

Tips to Keep Your Morkie Cool in the Summer

(c) Tonya Mickelson 2014

by Tonya Mickelson 

Your Morkie probably enjoys being outside in the summer as much as any dog. These small dogs are also prone to overheating on hot days, and we need to protect our pups on these days. My Morkie, Mila, loves running around in the yard when the weather is nice, but she tends to get hot easily. Here are some ways we keep our Morkie cool in the summer.  

Give your Morkie cool summer treats

Mila's favorite summer treat is frozen green beans. I don't feel guilty giving her two or three on a hot day, because I know they are healthy, and she gobbles them up in an instant. If you have a toy with a hole in the center that you can stuff with treats, place some peanut butter inside and freeze it for a few hours. Mila loves to lick the peanut butter out of the center. Another idea is to freeze healthy treats in an ice cube tray with some water or broth; the idea is that your Morkie can lick her way to the treat in the center as a way to keep cool in the summer. 

Keep your Morkie's hair cut short - but not too short

These dogs have hair that grows and needs to be trimmed every six weeks. It can be difficult to maintain a short haircut, whether you take your Morkie to the groomer (which can be costly) or do the grooming at home. We groom Mila's hair at home, and it's a several-hour-long job. However, summer is a good time to keep up on your pup's haircut. Just be sure not to trim too close; after all, dogs can get sunburn too. 

Leave your Morkie indoors on hot days

On the hottest summer days when you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, it may be best to keep your Morkie indoors for most of the day. If you do take her out, be sure to provide a shaded area where your pet can keep cool. Of course, place a dish of water where she can easily access it when needed. It is easy for dogs to get dehydrated on hot summer days, just as we can when we go for long periods of time without anything to drink.