Luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location and can range from being very painful and debilitating for dogs to milder cases that don’t seem to affect the dog at all. 

Veterinarians can grade the severity of the patella luxation to determine if surgery or medical treatment is required. It is mostly small breed dogs that are affected by luxating patella problems. 

Sometimes the patella (kneecap) will pop out while the dog is running. He may put his leg out straight behind him for a few steps then it can spontaneously go back into place and he will continue running normally. If both back legs are affected, the dog may just prefer to sit without moving or bounce on the hind legs moving them together like a rabbit hopping.

Images source and a more detail article: Bow Wow Meow Insurance

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