Terrier Club Pet_Care Forum Dodgy Dog Legs  From:  Message: Caroline (TJ's mum) April 23 at 14:34 Dodgy Dog Legs TJ is a 16 month old Westie and has had surgery on both back legs to correct "patella luxation medial condylar erosion". She was also developing arthritis. Apparently, this is a genetic condition, but Westies are not prone to it. Have any Westie owners out there heard of this condition before? Sue April 23 at 14:41 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Most definately know of it! I know of a few Westies with this condition. The ones I know of have "questionable" breeding, too. There is a Westie boy we recently placed through our rescue group that was just diagnosed with it - he is not even 2 years old. He will be having surgery on both knees. Such a shame - even if his breeder was told about it, he wouldn't do anything about it because he just into breeding for the money - a good breeder would stop breeding as it is known to be genetic as you mentioned. I hope TJ recovers well - any post-operative advice you care to share??? I would love to pass it on to Calvin's new family. He has his surgery on April 30th. Thanks Sue Caroline (TJ's mum) April 23 at 14:58 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Hi Sue, Sorry to hear that Calvin has this condition too. I hope his op goes well and that he has a speedy recovery. TJ was diagnosed with the condition in January this year when she was just 1 years old. She had to be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon as our vet was unsure of what was wrong with her. She had an operation on her left leg a week later and took about 6 weeks to recover. TJ had her second op, on her right leg at the end of March and she was walking fine the day after. She is still under restricted exercise which is really hard as she was such an active dog before. I'd definately advise Calvin's new owners to get a baby gate for the stairs and an extendable lead for walks, as he won't be allowed to run or use the stairs for a while. TJ soon got the idea of being carried up and down the stairs!! Do you know of any long term effects of the condition after surgery has been carried out? Love and best wishes to Calvin Caroline and TJ Lynda and the Minkies April 23 at 15:49 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs I think it's a common Westie thing. TJ is very young to have it, I think, though...hope she recovers well. XXX. The Oregon Girlies... April 23 at 16:11 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Unfortunately it is becoming very common in Westies, My oldest has it in both knees, and our recently adopted girl has it in one knee. We have opted to supplement rather than operate on them. It is working quite nicely. Luxated Patella usually starts showing up before the first birthday, It is an inherited condition. Arthritis is usually a part of it whether you get the surgery or not. Neither of my Girls are affected with it yet, thanks to the supplements I give them. There is a lot of good information on the net about it. xxxBetty and the Girlies... Maisie's Dad April 23 at 17:31 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs This condition is much more common than people realise, there are a number of skeletal genetic deformaties,that are quite common,and Westies are proving to be more prone to lately. Betty is right about these unscrupulous breeders, far too many pups are being born with these inherant diseases, and Puppy mills are a Major factor. We had to have surgery for Maisie on her Hip Displasia, even though we had done lots of research on the breed, and we ASKED the breeder who we got Maisie from, Very implicity, DO you know of any genetic defects in her line re these problems, We checked out her Pedigree Line and spoke to the sire's owners, and the Grandparents, etc. We got the same answer, from all, 'Not as Far as we are aware' so we purchased Maisie in good faith, However when she was 6-8 months old she started limping and after diagnosis the condition was certified. I was Bloody annoyed despite all our efforts, and it did no good, we are still not certain that we hadnt been lied to by the breeders and their next of kin owners. ( We were not aware at the time that Certificates of Clean health were available by a number of breeders,or we would have used one of these, we found this out by chance, even the Kennel Club, who, supplied the breeder name, we got from them didnt even furnish us with the information) We wanted to let Maisie have one Litter, and than we decided that in order to make sure that this disease wasnt passed on we had her spayed. Jack. Lynda and the Minkies April 24 at 02:23 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs The Kennel Club wouldn't tell you anyway. They're just a greedy organisation, in my opinion. XXX. Sue April 23 at 17:39 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Jack, THANK YOU for being wise and responsible and NOT breeding Maisie, knowing her condition....I wish more people understood the importance of "reputable" breeding!! Until more people understand this, we will continue to taint every breed of dog with health problems. Sue Gerry April 24 at 01:14 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs My precious Toots is 2 months shy of 12. She was diagnosed with luxating patella in both back knees when she was about a year old. I guess we are just dumb lucky. She has never had any surgery nor taken any suplements and she is going strong with no problems nor any arthritis. She runs and leaps with ease just like she was still a young pip-squeek. Lynda and the Minkies April 24 at 02:24 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs That's great, Gerry. XXX. The Oregon Girlies... April 24 at 01:33 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Gerry, that is exactly why I have chose not to have the surgery, Our vet was kind enough to tell me that they can get along just fine in most cases without it, and that it can be done anytime, if the condition warrants it. The supplements I am giving them lubricates the joints to help prevent Arthritis. I would say that Toots is very lucky in that respect. xxxBetty and the Girlies... Diana April 24 at 04:40 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Kelsi has luxating patellas in both legs but hasn't so far needed surgery. Hannah has had an operation on her hip for Legge Perthes, it wasn't the success I hoped for, she hops a real lot whether it is habit I don't know. It relieved her of that dreaded pain, but didn't do anything to help her walk normally again. Lynda and the Minkies April 24 at 13:17 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs That could be just an habitual thing. Diana, reading below about the allergy treatments, do you trust this vet ? I'd be very wary at spending out that much....it just sounds very dubious, especially with that list they gave you of what they're allergic too. I just find it seems a heck of a lot. XXX. Caroline (TJ's mum) April 24 at 18:34 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs OMG, I didn't realise it was such a common problem in westies. I'm glad you did the most sensible thing, Jack, to help prevent the condition being passed on. What supplements would anyone recommend for my TJ, bearing in mind that cod liver oil makes her sick? Diana April 30 at 02:48 The Dermatologist gave me the list and they have my confidence, I'll give it a go and if after a few seasons I see no improvement I won't get the vaccine anymore. Kelsi was 7 months old when she first showed signs of Luxating Patellas. Debbie(Kinsey's mom) April 30 at 08:28 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Caroline, I found some info on the web and have included the link here (I think). Hope it helps. Debbie http://www.dvmpharmaceuticals.com/dt105.html Caroline (TJ's mum) May 04 at 04:43 Re: Dodgy Dog Legs Thank you for the link Debbie

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