Alf has started having issues with one of his hind legs, you can only notice it when he is trotting but he tends to snatch it back up and kind of skips on it, sometimes its barely noticeable but sometimes he pulls it back up really high.  He doesnt seem to be in pain, the chiropractor says he is ok as far as mctimoney is concerned but said his hamstrings are a little tight, the vet has looked at him and said she cant see anything obvious and he doesnt seem to be in any pain although she will prescribe anti inflammatories if I want.  I was thinking about it last night and of course all sorts of things were coming into my mind - luxating patella being one of them.  Its not something ive heard of in my breed but is it something the vet or chriopractor would pick up on ?

Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do or what it could be? im going to phone the chiropractor later to see what route she thinks I should go down (x-rays, drugs etc..) but thought I would ask some opinions on here first :)

Claire

Having been involved with different toy breeds, I am more than familiar with this.  A veterinary examination will give you the answer.  Not sure the chiropractor would be my first port of call for the actual diagnosis.  If it's mild, you can soon learn to slip it back in yourself.  I once had a boy that slipped his when he cocked his leg up too high!  He would come straight to me and stand for it to be made comfortable.  If it's more than mild, I would be seeing the best orthopaedic surgeon for this condition.  However, I'm surprised that your vet can't see anything obvious, as she would be able to slip the patella out and in quite easily (if that's the problem.)

The reason I went to his chiropractor was because she sorted out a pelvic rotation issue for him last year, its not just about spines they do massage and as they are so good with their hands they tend to pick issues up that might otherwise be missed - its amazing what parts of the body affect other parts. 

He has been examined by the vet so im assuming as she didnt pick anything major up it must just be muscular.  (fingers crossed !!)

Agree with Jean S W it does sound a typical case and I too am surprised if the vet does not pick it up immediately.

Have you considered a canine massage therapist? My old lad went lame halfway up Skiddaw in the Lake District, had to take him to local vets who prescribed Metacam. When we got home I took him for a massage, she said it was muscular, (I was thinking arthritis, lifetime of Metcam etc) and sorted him out in a couple of sessions. I know myself from over 20 years of chiropractors and osteopaths that whatever they put right can soon be pulled out of alignment again by tight, shortened muscles, and now I have regular sports massage myself I can see a huge difference - that's why I tried it for my dog too. I often see people walking lame dogs whilst driving past, and always want to stop and ask if they've tried any complementary therapies, with horses people get them sorted as they want to ride them, but I think a lot of pet dog owners just accept a limping dog and continue to walk it.