HELP! Maltese behavior change! - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**Breesmommy** · 12-09-2012, 08:34 PM

Hi everyone! I really need some help.

I have two maltese puppies, male (Brody - 5 mos.) and female (Bree - 1.5yrs). About two weeks ago, Bree popped her knee out of place while she was dancing (stands up on her hind legs and turns around - one of her tricks). We went to the vet and they popped it back in and did a full check on her and said everything else was fine and that she should be back to normal soon.

Well, she's not back to normal. Although she doesn't seem to be in pain like she was before, she's still not playing as much as she used to, and she won't respond to her regular commands if she thinks Brody is around. Here's my theory (as crazy as it sounds): I think she thinks Brody hurt her leg because he was pretty close to her when she hurt herself.

I am glad she's not in pain anymore, but it just breaks my heart that she is not acting like herself. They used to play and wrestle all the time, but now she will barely go around him unless they happen to be sleeping near each other. Does anybody have any advice on how to get her acting like normal? I would really appreciate it!

**Ladysmom** · 12-09-2012, 08:44 PM

It sounds like Bree has a luxating patella. You need a referral to an orthopedic vet.

Grading Luxating Patellas - From Dr. Jaimie

**Leila'sMommy** · 12-09-2012, 08:46 PM

Maybe she's just afraid of popping it back out again and with time, she'll regain her courage to do her tricks and play with him. The few times my yorkie used to get hurt, he'd be extra cautious for awhile, then go back to being himself. If it continues, you might want to go back to the vet and have them recheck. I'm not sure of all of the anatomy of a dog, but maybe she's got some ligaments or tendons that got stretched and are still sore.

**Zoe's Mom88** · 12-09-2012, 08:58 PM

It sounds like she is in pain. Don't encourage her to use it because it must hurt her Hope she feels better. Think she needs to see a specialist.

**Furbabies mom** · 12-10-2012, 07:44 AM

Hoping that she feels better soon. It still must hurt her, or she'd be acting her normal self. My Violet pulled a muscle tendon(it wasn't the knee) I let her rest (no jumping or even running) for a few days and after that she acted like she normally did.

**CloudClan** · 12-10-2012, 04:30 PM

My vet would recommend her to not do any active play or running and jumping for at least 3-4 weeks, so she is smart to not be pushing herself now. It does sound like LP, and depending on the severity your may need a referral to another vet, but at this point I would not want her stressing it. When they pop it out like that it can be sensitive for a while. Give her time and do not let her engage in rough housing right now.

**Lacie's Mom** · 12-10-2012, 05:30 PM

Lacie has grade 1 LPs and the last time she popped her knee out, our Vet told us for her to stay very quiet for a week and then very limited exercise for the next 2-3 weeks. She was not to jump (up or down), not to stand on her back legs, not to rough house with Tilly, no steps, etc. And she was very happy to comply with the Vet's orders and didn't try to push it.

**Leila'sMommy** · 12-10-2012, 10:38 PM

How is she doing now?

**Breesmommy** · 02-22-2013, 11:29 PM

I'm so sorry that I never replied back! I never got any email notifications about this post...need to check on that. Anyways, thank you all so much for your replies! She was very sensitive for about a month, but she finally ended up getting back to normal! Guess she needed a little time to heal

12-09-2012, 08:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Breesmommy Newbie Name: Shelley Dog's Name: Bree Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 7	HELP! Maltese behavior change! Hi everyone! I really need some help. I have two maltese puppies, male (Brody - 5 mos.) and female (Bree - 1.5yrs). About two weeks ago, Bree popped her knee out of place while she was dancing (stands up on her hind legs and turns around - one of her tricks). We went to the vet and they popped it back in and did a full check on her and said everything else was fine and that she should be back to normal soon. Well, she's not back to normal. Although she doesn't seem to be in pain like she was before, she's still not playing as much as she used to, and she won't respond to her regular commands if she thinks Brody is around. Here's my theory (as crazy as it sounds): I think she thinks Brody hurt her leg because he was pretty close to her when she hurt herself. I am glad she's not in pain anymore, but it just breaks my heart that she is not acting like herself. They used to play and wrestle all the time, but now she will barely go around him unless they happen to be sleeping near each other. Does anybody have any advice on how to get her acting like normal? I would really appreciate it!

12-09-2012, 08:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ladysmom Maltese Guru Name: Marj Dog's Name: Bailey and Lady at the Bridge Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 17,332	It sounds like Bree has a luxating patella. You need a referral to an orthopedic vet. Grading Luxating Patellas - From Dr. Jaimie __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/MLadys...s/182366213341

12-09-2012, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Leila'sMommy Maltese Guru Name: Pam Dog's Name: Leila Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: West Columbia, SC Posts: 1,033	Maybe she's just afraid of popping it back out again and with time, she'll regain her courage to do her tricks and play with him. The few times my yorkie used to get hurt, he'd be extra cautious for awhile, then go back to being himself. If it continues, you might want to go back to the vet and have them recheck. I'm not sure of all of the anatomy of a dog, but maybe she's got some ligaments or tendons that got stretched and are still sore. __________________

12-09-2012, 08:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zoe's Mom88 Maltese Guru Name: Barbie Dog's Name: Zoe (Kyra my Angel in Heaven) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,456	It sounds like she is in pain. Don't encourage her to use it because it must hurt her Hope she feels better. Think she needs to see a specialist. __________________

12-10-2012, 07:44 AM	#5 (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: 8,567	Hoping that she feels better soon. It still must hurt her, or she'd be acting her normal self. My Violet pulled a muscle tendon(it wasn't the knee) I let her rest (no jumping or even running) for a few days and after that she acted like she normally did. __________________ Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!

12-10-2012, 04:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
CloudClan Maltese Guru Name: Carina Dog's Name: Cadeau, Cadie, Cacia, CherryB, Cherish & Charm (Cloud, Clancy, Clouseau, Cameo & Calypso @ bridge) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,740	My vet would recommend her to not do any active play or running and jumping for at least 3-4 weeks, so she is smart to not be pushing herself now. It does sound like LP, and depending on the severity your may need a referral to another vet, but at this point I would not want her stressing it. When they pop it out like that it can be sensitive for a while. Give her time and do not let her engage in rough housing right now. __________________ *~ Carina & the CloudClan ~*

12-10-2012, 05:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lacie's Mom Super Moderator Name: Lynn Dog's Name: Lacie, Tilly and Secret Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 14,314	Lacie has grade 1 LPs and the last time she popped her knee out, our Vet told us for her to stay very quiet for a week and then very limited exercise for the next 2-3 weeks. She was not to jump (up or down), not to stand on her back legs, not to rough house with Tilly, no steps, etc. And she was very happy to comply with the Vet's orders and didn't try to push it. __________________ Lacie, Secret & Tilly

12-10-2012, 10:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
Leila'sMommy Maltese Guru Name: Pam Dog's Name: Leila Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: West Columbia, SC Posts: 1,033	How is she doing now? __________________

02-22-2013, 11:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Breesmommy Newbie Name: Shelley Dog's Name: Bree Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 7	I'm so sorry that I never replied back! I never got any email notifications about this post...need to check on that. Anyways, thank you all so much for your replies! She was very sensitive for about a month, but she finally ended up getting back to normal! Guess she needed a little time to heal

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Maltese Dog Advertisement