Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog is suddenly limping on a back leg. Is it a luxating patella?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) | Female | spayed | 12 lbs

My slightly overweight 3yr old chiweenie suddenly came up lame in one rear leg on Tuesday after we had been out. She will put weight on it and sometimes walks a few steps normally, but primarily holds it up. She will kick after urinating with the injured leg and stretches ever so delicately but fully extending the leg . What the heck ? This can't be a luxating patella can it?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 18th, 2018

It may be. She may have a soft tissue injury or some slight swelling at the knee which is causing the patella to luxate even though it has not been a problem in the past. Your veterinarian can most likely determine if that is the case by a physical exam. If her patella is loose and moving around, it is usually pretty easy to detect.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 18th, 2017
A luxating patella can come and go, and sometimes the knee can become locked out of place, leading to the dog being in pain and limping. I would have Murphy seen by a vet first thing on Monday for this. It may be that his luxating patella is severe enough that it requires surgery to fix, which the vet can determine if this is the best treatment option for him. In the meantime, I would rest him. No running, jumping, or playing. Take Murphy out to toilet on a lead only, and bring him right back in when he's done.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 17th, 2017
In small breed dogs, a common joint problem is a luxating patella. This is when the knee slips out of it's correct anatomical position, causing sudden lameness and an inability to straighten the leg. It can then pop back into place, allowing the dog to use his leg normally. This could be happening to Lucas. I would have him seen by a vet in the morning, who can do a physical exam and lameness to diagnose if he does have a luxating patella. If it is severe enough, Lucas will need surgery to fix it.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 22nd, 2017
If he went from doing well in his recovery to nitnuse his leg at all something changed and he needs to be rechecked. There are several different procedures you can do for a luxating patella. They may have done 1-2 of them, and may need to go back and do the others. I would also have them check his cranial crucuiate ligament, comparable to an ACL in people, as that can tear and cause similar symptoms.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My small dog's leg popped and she was limping. Is it a luxating patella?

Hi there. From what you describe, it certainly sounds like she may have a luxating patella. This is a common problem in toy breed dogs. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam to determine if this is the problem. If so, it may be able to be managed with anti-inflammatory medication if it's only causing minor, occasional problems, or surgery may be recommended if the problem is more severe.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my chihuahua limp sometimes but run fine on all four legs?

It is very likely she has a condition called patellar luxation. This is where the ligament in the knee goes in an out of the socket. She can have this surgically repaired if it becomes a chronic issue and impedes on her quality of life. Otherwise joint supplements (i.e. Dasuquin) may be able to help reduce some inflammation and pain in the joint itself. Have your vet do a simple physical exam and check the knees. Patellar luxation is detectable by a physical exam and doesn't require radiographs to diagnose. I wish you well at the vet. Best wishes with Mindy and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is limping. What are non-surgical options for patella luxation?

Typically, grade 1 luxations do not require surgery unless they become a frequent problem, progress or cause pain. Time will tell how your pup does. Yes, dogs can have shellfish allergies but it could also be something else in the supplement just causing her stomach to be upset. The best course of action is to avoid execessive hard exercise (daily jogging and heavy running every day) and to start her on a joint supplement. Try Dasuquin. If she does not tolerate that, try an injectable product like Adequan. An omega 3 fatty acid supplement will also be beneficial. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why does my dog limp intermittently, stopping when I touch his knee?

It is possible that Babe has a luxating patella. The patella can pop out of place and you may see limping. Then they walk normally after it pops back in the proper place. Here is an article that discusses luxating patella in dogs: https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/luxating-patella/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My Morkie is limping on its hind leg. What could be the problem?

Two things come to my mind when I hear about rear legs giving way suddenly. I will address both separately. 1) Luxating patellas. This is a fancy name for loose knee caps. The groove the knee cap sits in is often shallow with smaller breed dogs, especially with the Yorkie or Maltese. The knee cap can slip in and out of place on its own quite readily in some dogs. It typically is not painful but can develop arthritis with time and this causes more irritation. What typically happens is the dog goes to step on the leg, the knee cap is not in place and they cannot place weight normally. Sometimes they do not place any weight on it, almost like a little skip, or they hold the leg up. The knee cap typically goes back into place on it's own or the dog kicks backwards and this puts it back into place. The arthritis can be managed with joint supplements or anti-inflammatories but typically the knee cap problem can only be fixed surgically and is only warranted in pets with severe trouble. 2) Bone injury -- without a known trauma, such as a fall or being hit by a car, a fracture is less likely. This causes the area to weaken and can suddenly become painful. It may not break but can be difficult to walk on. If this was the case, I would expect your dog to be painful if that area of his leg is touched. If you feel up and down his leg with pressure, does he seem painful? Do you feel any areas that are swollen?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's luxating patella: Does she need surgery on this leg?

If Stella is having difficulty walking/running, surgery may be indicated. Your vet will be able to grade the luxation by checking to see how far it moves out of the groove. She will then be able to determine whether or not surgery is necessary on this leg. Good luck! I hope Stella is feeling better soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog lifts a back leg and it twitches. What's causing this?

What you're describing sounds like a condition called a luxating patella. This is when the knee cap slides in and out of its groove. This condition overtime can lead to arthritis and potential he predispose a dog to tearing a ligament in the knee. Your veterinarian maybe to do an orthopedic exam and tell you if this is the case.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share