Luxating is a fancy word for dislocating. The Patella is your Chihuahua's knee, the joint on her hind leg. So a luxating patella is a dislocating knee, a knee that keeps slipping out of its socket. This can happen in Chihuahuas with weak ligaments, tendons, and/or muscles in the leg, or when the bones of the upper and lower leg are out of alignment. It can also happen in Chihuahuas whose kneecap groove (the trochlear groove) is too narrow or shallow. The knee usually slips inwardly, toward the body, and locks so that the dog can't bend it's leg.

Patella Luxation is usually Graded according to its severity:

Grade I. The knee only slips out when the vet manipulates it.

Grade II. The knee luxates with manipulation, or when your Chihuahua is walking or running. It usually slides back by itself as your Chi continues moving, or you can slip it back manually (ask your vet to show you how).

Grade III. The knee luxates frequently. Even when you put it back manually, it doesn't stay in position long.

Grade IV. The knee luxates, stays that way, and you can't put it back into its socket. This grade is not common.

* Get excess weight off your Chihuahua and get it into shape with exercise, especially climbing moderate hills that will strengthen the muscle groups around the patella. Extra weight and poor muscle tone only make the problem worse.

Sometimes the knee slips only for a moment or two, then slides back into place and is normal again. Sometimes the Luxation lasts longer and you'll see your Chi holding the thigh up or holding the leg out and not touching the foot to the ground. Luxation can occur in one knee, or in both. It occurs in all sizes, both coats, and both sexes. Your vet may recommend a surgical repair of the condition at Grade 2 or 3.

Suspect Luxating patella if your Chihuahua tends to lift one hind leg while running, or if she skips, or moves both rear legs at the same time, called bunny hopping. The animal has to move this way because one rear leg has locked on her and can't bend or take any weight.

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