If your Boston terrier is suffering from knee problems, you aren’t alone. Several dogs have similar problems, including the ability to stand up or walk for long periods. While some dogs respond to confinement, others don’t.
The only way to know if your dog is suffering from a trick knee is to take your dog to a vet and ask about possible treatments. Although most dogs don’t need surgery, the vet will probably prescribe aspirin or NSAID to help alleviate the pain.
Boston Terrier Knee Problems
If your Boston Terrier is limping, it could be a sign that the patella has luxated
The patella rests in a groove on the femur, which is too shallow. This condition may be caused by a traumatic injury to the knee or by a weak or unbalanced structure of the dog’s leg.
Patellar luxation is a common problem, affecting half of the breed, although it can also occur in one or both knees.
If your dog limps, it is best to exercise his hind legs, which can help put the patella back into its proper place.
Besides the discomfort and pain caused by the kneecap, your Boston terrier may also develop arthritis if it continues to ride out of the groove.
While grade II luxation can be corrected by a massage, grade III luxation is more serious and will probably require surgery. If your dog’s kneecap luxates, it will become permanently out of place. In this case, you can perform surgery to correct the problem.
Some Boston terriers are more prone to developing a degenerative hip problem
This is called Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease and can affect the bone in the rear, causing it to become brittle and easily fractured.
It usually occurs between six and nine months of age and causes painful hind legs and often necessitates surgery. Your vet will test your dog for Lyme disease, and if it has it, your dog will require antibiotic treatment.
Although there are several causes of Boston terrier limping, it is always important to get a veterinarian’s opinion. Oftentimes, limping is a sign of bone cancer.
The front legs are generally affected by bone cancer, but your vet will need to perform an x-ray or biopsy to determine the cause. If you have any doubts about your dog’s limp, make an appointment as soon as possible.
A limp can be caused by a kneecap popping out of place.
The problem will lead to a sudden change in gait and may require surgery to correct it. However, a simple kick to the affected leg can help correct the problem.
If left untreated, patellar luxation may require surgical correction. If left untreated, however, it can lead to arthritis in the knee. If it continues untreated, your dog may experience debilitating pain and eventually require surgery.
Another cause of Boston terrier knee problems is a dog’s excessive heat generation.
While a dog’s natural healing response to heat is to lick the affected area, this behavior can lead to inflammation and pain.
In these cases, it is best to avoid allowing your dog to lick painful areas until they are healed. Afterward, you can treat them with a baking soda and water paste or an oral antihistamine.
After your dog has had the surgery, you must watch them for six weeks to prevent further damage to the knee joint. In general, they will require restricted activity until the knee has recovered completely.
During this time, your Boston terrier should stay in a quiet room and be leashed to avoid climbing stairs and running. The vet may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. However, if your dog has patellar luxation, it is unlikely to be as severe as the initial condition.
Surgical procedures for Boston terrier knee problems depend on the type of patellar luxation.
Different surgical procedures are recommended depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of structural abnormalities. For example, soft tissue reconstruction can loosen a patella if it has dislocated.
In addition, you can also tighten the opposing side of the patella by deepening its groove. Additionally, nutritional supplements can support the knee joint and surrounding tissues.
Your vet may recommend a surgical procedure if your dog can’t walk or stand on its own. If your dog can’t tolerate surgery, you can try rehabilitation.
Try to hold your dog’s leg up and massage the kneecap. Talking to your dog may help it relax. If you can’t do it yourself, the vet may have to sedate your dog. But the procedure is very safe for small breeds, so don’t worry.
Meet Rose Camilla, an expert in the Terrier dog breed and an active writer and publisher. Camilla has been working with Terriers for over 12 years and her passion for them has only grown stronger with time. She has dedicated her life to understanding, training, and writing about Terriers.
