Luxating Patella - that's the veterinary medical term or trick knee cap.
from Wiki:
Most cases of patellar luxation are medial and this is frequently a congenital problem in toy and miniature breed dogs. Breeds showing a predisposition for medial patellar luxation include miniature and toy poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Pekingese, Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers.
Metro has been favoring his left hind leg for a couple of weeks now. And for the last couple of day he has been limping when he first gets up from a nap or after he jumps down from the bed or his favorite chair. And most likely the repeated jumping down from those height places was the cause of the problem rather than inherited from his sire and dame.
What? You don't think 18" is very high? Metro is only 8" high at the topline (that is his backbone). So comparatively speaking, you try leaping from a height of 13 feet every day, several times a day. You are going to hurt yourself too!!!
Also from Wiki:
Additional help can be given with the use of pet ramps, stairs, or steps. These can help the animal travel from one place to another, especially up and down, without adding any pain or damage to the patella.
So we will need a set of steps for the bed, the sofa AND "his recliner". He has only slowed down a little. He still get excited and runs when it is time to go outside to care for other spoiled critters that live on the farm!
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