Need advice from you guys who have experienced this. - Page 2 - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**pippersmom** · 01-17-2013, 11:32 AM

Does anyone know what grade it would be if he has a flat patella ridge. Is this a serious one. I will definitely talk more about supplements to the vet when we go for more shots in 2 weeks. He probably does have good muscle tone because he gets 2 long walks every day. Hopefully when he get excited all the jumping up and down on his hind legs like a jack in the box doesn't hurt him.

**Grace'sMom** · 01-17-2013, 11:34 AM

Lots to read on this board about this issue....

But I'd be getting him onto supplements now. I'm a believer in prevention, not treatment. If you can get him on things to help prevent something or postpone it - why wait until he is really hurting and at the problem point?

Hugs for Pipper...

**Furbabies mom** · 01-17-2013, 11:46 AM

I give mine a daily treat that has the supplements in them. Glucosamine and chondroitin

**pippersmom** · 01-17-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furbabies mom

I give mine a daily treat that has the supplements in them. Glucosamine and chondroitin

Would these treats be as good as adding supplements to their food or however its given. What are the treats called. Gosh, I wish I wasn't such a worry wart.

**Furbabies mom** · 01-17-2013, 12:13 PM

Here is what I give mine daily. They each get two. I buy mine from Vita Cost. It's less than what our local pet store charges.

**edelweiss** · 01-17-2013, 12:18 PM

The glucosamine and chondroitin showed no visible results for Kitzel but that doesn't mean I would not try them! If it is an issue of a flat or no groove patella ridge see no way that you won't have to have surgery one day---but I am not a vet. I find it difficult to believe that there would be NO ridge at all---but I do know they are often not deep enough. A vet can normally grade a patella. If you are really concerned I would definitely see a board certified ortho specialist. I lost count---I think we saw at least 4 and none of them agreed on much.
I also believe in prevention & learning all I can about something, unfortunately in our case that did not help Kitzel. Everyone has a different experience, so try not to listen to just one person!

**Snowbody** · 01-17-2013, 12:18 PM

Kathy - try not to worry. I actually think that more toy dogs have barely any groove than do. Very, very common. There are grades 1-4. I think that if there are no symptoms of a problem -- no skipping, limping, pain than it would probably be good to go with glucosomine type supplements. I think some pet parents use cosequin too but again, just look in SM's search area for info on LP...I think there are some stickies too. There are lots of supplements out there and I think it isn't a bad idea to use it preventatively. A human friend of mine had bad knee problems and started taking the supplements and is fine; no more pain. Just make sure the treats or supplements are sourced and made in the USA. There are treats made in China with them that you don't want. That's part of why I never let Tyler jump on or off the furniture so as not to increase the chance of the knees going out.

**pippersmom** · 01-17-2013, 12:26 PM

Is there any particular age when a dog would start showing symptoms. He hasn't shown any signs of pain at all or no limping either (knock on wood). It is just the cracking I can hear when wiping his feet and that doesn't bother him either. The vet did say that the ridge is flat. Can she tell this just by manipulating the leg.

**hoaloha** · 01-17-2013, 12:46 PM

Kathy, I know you must be worried but the great thing is that Pipper is not showing any symptoms. I give Obi Dasuquin- 1/2 tab every other day. I use the regular one without MSM. I don't think MSM is necessary for Pipper since he shows no signs of pain, but I'm not an expert on this topic by any means. In the meantime, I'd TRY to limit Pipper's jumping, getting on his back legs too much as dogs with LP can be more prone to ACL tears.

LP is not a death sentence and can be manageable by different means depending on the grade. Try not to worry (easier said than done!) ::hugs::

**IvysMom** · 01-17-2013, 12:59 PM

I too highly recommend getting on a supplement immediately which could prevent the condition from ever becoming a problem. My old Maltese never had knee problems and so far baby Ivy seems fine but I had a Golden that started developing knee pain. Our vet put her on Reflex-4 and WOW! What a difference that made for her! After a couple of months she never complained of knee pain again and lived comfortably for many more years.

Reflex is the only joint supplement our vet carries/recommends. Here's a link to it where you can see the ingredients.

Genesis Resources Re-Flex 4 (120 Tabs)

01-17-2013, 11:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
pippersmom Maltese Guru Name: Kathy Dog's Name: Pipper Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,390	Does anyone know what grade it would be if he has a flat patella ridge. Is this a serious one. I will definitely talk more about supplements to the vet when we go for more shots in 2 weeks. He probably does have good muscle tone because he gets 2 long walks every day. Hopefully when he get excited all the jumping up and down on his hind legs like a jack in the box doesn't hurt him. __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

01-17-2013, 11:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
Grace'sMom Maltese Guru Name: Tori Dog's Name: Grace -maltipoo, Gus - poodle mix Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA Posts: 2,931	Lots to read on this board about this issue.... But I'd be getting him onto supplements now. I'm a believer in prevention, not treatment. If you can get him on things to help prevent something or postpone it - why wait until he is really hurting and at the problem point? Hugs for Pipper... __________________ Grace (Dec. 4, 2011) & Gus (Dec.15, 2009) my lyme journey blog: purplelymegirl my lyme video (updated link): Tick,tick,tick... Time to see Lyme

01-17-2013, 11:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
Furbabies mom Maltese Guru Name: Deborah Dog's Name: Laurel (maltese), Dewey, Violet and Hardy and Dewey Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 8,580	I give mine a daily treat that has the supplements in them. Glucosamine and chondroitin __________________ Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!

01-17-2013, 12:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
Furbabies mom Maltese Guru Name: Deborah Dog's Name: Laurel (maltese), Dewey, Violet and Hardy and Dewey Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 8,580	Here is what I give mine daily. They each get two. I buy mine from Vita Cost. It's less than what our local pet store charges. __________________ Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!

01-17-2013, 12:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
edelweiss Maltese Guru Name: sandi Dog's Name: Kitzel & Liesl Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,959	The glucosamine and chondroitin showed no visible results for Kitzel but that doesn't mean I would not try them! If it is an issue of a flat or no groove patella ridge see no way that you won't have to have surgery one day---but I am not a vet. I find it difficult to believe that there would be NO ridge at all---but I do know they are often not deep enough. A vet can normally grade a patella. If you are really concerned I would definitely see a board certified ortho specialist. I lost count---I think we saw at least 4 and none of them agreed on much. I also believe in prevention & learning all I can about something, unfortunately in our case that did not help Kitzel. Everyone has a different experience, so try not to listen to just one person! __________________ Qui me amat, amet et canem meum. (Who loves me will love my dog also.), - St. Bernard "Life without a maltese is like summer without ice-cream." - St. Edelweiss Last edited by edelweiss; 01-17-2013 at 12:20 PM.

01-17-2013, 12:18 PM	#17 (permalink)
Snowbody Maltese Guru Name: Susan Dog's Name: Tyler Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 18,332	Kathy - try not to worry. I actually think that more toy dogs have barely any groove than do. Very, very common. There are grades 1-4. I think that if there are no symptoms of a problem -- no skipping, limping, pain than it would probably be good to go with glucosomine type supplements. I think some pet parents use cosequin too but again, just look in SM's search area for info on LP...I think there are some stickies too. There are lots of supplements out there and I think it isn't a bad idea to use it preventatively. A human friend of mine had bad knee problems and started taking the supplements and is fine; no more pain. Just make sure the treats or supplements are sourced and made in the USA. There are treats made in China with them that you don't want. That's part of why I never let Tyler jump on or off the furniture so as not to increase the chance of the knees going out. __________________

01-17-2013, 12:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
pippersmom Maltese Guru Name: Kathy Dog's Name: Pipper Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,390	Is there any particular age when a dog would start showing symptoms. He hasn't shown any signs of pain at all or no limping either (knock on wood). It is just the cracking I can hear when wiping his feet and that doesn't bother him either. The vet did say that the ridge is flat. Can she tell this just by manipulating the leg. __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

01-17-2013, 12:46 PM	#19 (permalink)
hoaloha Maltese Guru Name: Marisa Dog's Name: Obi (Bellarata's You Better Believe It) & Owen (Aria Maltese) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,394	Kathy, I know you must be worried but the great thing is that Pipper is not showing any symptoms. I give Obi Dasuquin- 1/2 tab every other day. I use the regular one without MSM. I don't think MSM is necessary for Pipper since he shows no signs of pain, but I'm not an expert on this topic by any means. In the meantime, I'd TRY to limit Pipper's jumping, getting on his back legs too much as dogs with LP can be more prone to ACL tears. LP is not a death sentence and can be manageable by different means depending on the grade. Try not to worry (easier said than done!) ::hugs:: __________________ Click here to be Obi's facebook buddy! Click here to watch all of Obi's FUN maltese tricks and videos!

01-17-2013, 12:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
IvysMom Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Ivy Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 766	I too highly recommend getting on a supplement immediately which could prevent the condition from ever becoming a problem. My old Maltese never had knee problems and so far baby Ivy seems fine but I had a Golden that started developing knee pain. Our vet put her on Reflex-4 and WOW! What a difference that made for her! After a couple of months she never complained of knee pain again and lived comfortably for many more years. Reflex is the only joint supplement our vet carries/recommends. Here's a link to it where you can see the ingredients. Genesis Resources Re-Flex 4 (120 Tabs)

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