Phoebes trip to the dogtor today.

Phoebe went in for her visit today to the vet and got her leg checked. My vet is a small family owned business, only 2 vets and they are husband and wife. We usually see the wife when we are in, and thats who we had today since husband was in surgery. She was feeling around in her knees and leg. The other vet (husband) is also an orthapedic surgeon as well, and he got freed up and came in and also checked her. Turns out she has a Luxating Patilla (sp?) its not too severe and in Phoebes case its odd (of course she has to be different) the knee only pops when its turned to the left or right not front to back like when she walks, he said she probably ruptured something while the rough play was going on the other day. There is no need for surgery at this point but I am to keep and eye on her and if she gets worse they will have to do the surgery. They sent her home with some pain medicine, and said she could stand to lose about 4lbs but weve been working on that for a few weeks now. Does anyone have any experience with this? Anything I can do to get her better and to not have to have the surgery down the road? She seems ok today, and is now napping. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Here's some info:
http://www.pugauthority.com/t4729-luxating-patella?highlight=luxating

Nell has one too. It hasn't caused her any problems yet so we're just monitoring her. Keeping extra weight off will definitely be a huge help.

Keeping the weight off is a big one. Sophie (my Sophie) has a mild case of it. We just have to make sure she stays thin, and we give her joint supplements. So far, we've been ok.

The Sophie I fostered just had surgery for it, hers was pretty severe (it would pop out frequently).

Thanks ladies! I dont know what I would do with out the power and advice of PA
Do you suggest any certain brand/type of joint supplements? We stopped at PetSmart on our way home and I was looking there but didnt know what to buy so I didnt get any. I do give her Blue Buffalo Healthy Hips jerky treats they have glucosemine in them, but I dont give them to her all the time. Maybe once every few days. I picked up another pack while we were at Pet Smart but id like to get her on some sort of vitamin for daily use. There are a few all natural pet food stores near my house too so im sure I could find anything you would suggest.

My Ichiro had LP surgery when he was about 11 months old. His was severe. Couldn't even walk.

Losing the excess weight is very smart.

Don't bother with the treats that have supplements in them. All you are doing is giving extra calories by feeding those treats and not much supplement. I give Ichiro glucosamine / chondroiten supplements daily. Just get the regular human supplement tablets, like at Costco, in the bottle. Its about $30 for 150 count. One pill daily. I drop it in his food, which he eats so fast he doesn't even notice the pill in there.

I give Flexicose, which is a chondroitin/glucosamine/MSM supplement. I like that it's liquid, so it gets absorbed easily. You can get the one for pets, which is identical to the one for people except the dosage cup is smaller, or you can use the people one. Same product.

Thanks again. Like I said im glad I have you guys to help me with this stuff. At least I know im not alone here. Ill pick some glucosemine up this weekend. Either the liquid or vitamin form, I know she doesnt have issues taking pills at all.
Right now shes napping on my lap. I assume the medicine they gave her makes her sleepy? She has rimidryl (sp?)