LUXATING PATELLA
(Slipped Stifle) (Slipped Knee Cap)
(The Patella is the knee cap of the hind leg. Luxating is slipping.)
Luxating Palella is a fairly common problem in small dogs,
including the Cairn.
It has not been established how it is inherited. Different breeds
appear to have different modes of inheritance.
The first sign is that the dog suddenly limps when the patella slips
out of its groove. In mild cases the patella may slip back and the
dog have an occasional limp but if the groove is shallow surgery
may be necessary to deepen it.
No cases have been specifically reported but we know this is a
common condition.
Return to Health Watch Page