Laurie's Blogs.

Dear Laurie,

Quick  2 questions:

1. Do you use or know of a way to tape the patella for MPL in small breed dogs? Is it effective at aIl? I have a client coming On Thursday with a King Charles kav. Owners don't want surgery.

2. Do you believe that you can avoid surgery in certain dogs by only strengthening gluteus, quads and hamstrings at all?

I haven't find any video training of yours on your website, so I believe you don't... ;)

Thanks a lot,

H.R., DVM, CCRP

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Hi H.R.,

Quick replies:

The dog's skin is too flexible to have it work to hold the Patella in place... even if you could get it to stick.  So I would not try taping.

I do think you could avoid surgery in some of the grade 2 patellar luxations... I have info buried in a few different videos... but essentially, you need to work on strengthening the core muscles (exercises and also a wrap around the abdomen with a theraband works to activate abs even when just out on a walk), and then strengthening the glutes especially (based on human research) - so I use e-stim on glutes with 3-leg standing - timing the activity, and or squat blocks (See Fun with Cinderblocks video), hill walking, sit to stand facing up hill, step ups (front feet on a platform / step, then place the affected leg on the step as well and ask the dog to 'get up', so that he/she pushes up with the leg you places on the platform / step.).  I would also stretch the sartorius muscle (hip extension + stifle flexion) while ensuring that you hold the patella in place.  Then also check sartorius & TFL for trigger points and laser, massage, or needle those to get rid of them.

It's not a 100% plan, but I've had it work for a few of the 'lesser' grade 2 MPLs.

Good luck!

Laurie