Hi

Our cav has had his right leg knee cap come out of socket twice now...

The vets has said his knee caps become dislocated due to lack of space...

I know this is common in Cavaliers but is there any way of making his bones, legs, knees stronger with types of food?

Is the joint supplements

He is 1 years old and already has this problem........

He needs an orthapaedic veterinary surgeon.  The operation for luxated patellas can be very successful - as long as you have an experienced vet.  Supplements can't undo the genetic problem for you.

oh god

So does this mean the breeder should have told us it was genetic?
The breeders had the parents heart murmor tests etc they were all fine
no mention of the knee caps....

Surgery? He is 1 is this too young?

Slipping Patellas are common in small breeds of dog as the groove the kneecap fits in is too shallow.  Very common in the ubiquitous Jack Russell types, so much so that many people think it is normal for them to have the bunny hopping hind gait.

There is no official screening scheme for this condition in the UK, though in the USA you can get certificates of freedom from this condition through OFA (Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals) after an examination by an Orthopaedic Vet, and people in many breeds avail themselves of this, usually when having Hips x-rayed for Hip Dysplasia. 

I don't know how much of a problem across the breed this is, so it could be just bad luck that yours has this problem due to being a small dog rather than any pattern of this problem in his breeding line.

You should inform his breeder so they are aware and can adjust their breeding program accordingly, a breeder can only plan based on what they know.

> Surgery? He is 1 is this too young?

The younger this operation is performed, the better chance of a satisfactory outcome.  My girl was operated on at 11months - she had both done, 6 weeks apart.  She was 16 last September!

Barbara, sub-luxation of patellas can be hereditary, so much so that if a Yorkie is diagnosed, they shouldn't be used in a breeding program....however(there's always a however 'aint there?!) I know some are used and it is a condition that is almost dismissed by some! HTH. Dawn x

You have had excellent advice from Jean, please go to an Orthopaedic specialist for the Op! I would also get in touch with the Breeder and ask her/him what solution they propose? It is a genetic fault and the Breeder should be aware of this and take decisive action! All the best, Dawn

> I know some are used and it is a condition that is almost dismissed by some!

Which is something I feel so very strongly about!  I would have liked a litter from my 16 year old, but couldn't let that happen when she had such problems.  I still see the breeder at Cruft's, knowing that she is using dogs with a problem.  Makes me growl!  Having toy breeds, and knowing that they are far more likely to have a problem with the knees, I always get them checked out by an orthopaedic surgeon prior to any decision to breed.

Yes, exactly....around here it seems to be a problem for the 'pet bred' Yorkies and JR's that have the problem, most of the BYB don't even know the condition exists and just keep on going! They all think the JR's look 'cute' hopping around!! Very sad...

> Barbara, sub-luxation of patellas can be hereditary

Certainly it can, which is why it is so common in some breeds/types as I mentioned with JRT's, but it can also be a one off, and I do not know if it is prevalent in Cavaliers.

As the breeder has heart tested I would imagine it either is not an issue they have come across or that is prevalent in the breed.  If it is a breed problem I would expect it to be something the breed club advises to check on.

Either way the owner needs to let the breeder know so they don't repeat this breeding or one similar.

Yes very true, I hope they take notice...sorry I just get annoyed with other breeds that seem not to care and I get a bit over excited!!! ;-)

Tell me about it.

As the breeder has heart tested I would imagine it either is not an issue they have come across or that is prevalent in the breed.

Certainly exists in Cavaliers but never an excuse to breed from affected ones of course.