Congenital groove deformity
A shallow femoral groove and misaligned leg anatomy prevent the patella from tracking normally — common in Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas.
Dog Condition
Dog Luxating Patella — Online Pain Management
Intermittent skipping or hind-leg lameness may be a luxating patella. Get a same-day assessment, prescription pain relief, and a long-term joint health plan.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Understanding dog luxating patella
Expert online care for dog luxating patella
Licensed vet assessment of luxating patella via secure video
Same-day appointments — most seen within 1–3 hours
Prescriptions delivered next business day when clinically appropriate
$65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges
Your pet stays comfortable at home during the consultation
Expert guidance on when in-person emergency care is needed
Owners often notice a sudden skip or hop on the hind leg — the patella dislocates laterally, then pops back in. Grade I–II cases may need only monitoring and supplements; Grade III–IV often require surgical correction.
TelaVets licensed veterinarians assess gait on video, review prior orthopedic exams, prescribe NSAIDs and joint supplements, and help you decide when surgical referral is the right choice for your dog's grade and lifestyle.
Common signs of dog luxating patella we can help with
- Intermittent hind-leg skipping or hopping
- Brief lameness that resolves spontaneously
- Reluctance to jump on furniture or stairs
- Bow-legged stance in severe cases
- Pain when knee is manipulated
- Progressive stiffness in older affected dogs
- Muscle wasting in the affected thigh
- Crackling or popping sensation in the knee
What causes dog luxating patella?
Early identification slows arthritis progression. Grade at diagnosis guides whether conservative management or surgery is appropriate.
Trauma
Direct knee injury can disrupt patellar ligament attachments and cause acquired luxation in any breed.
Progressive cartilage wear
Untreated luxation accelerates arthritis and erodes the trochlear groove, worsening grade over time.
How our vets diagnose it online
Palpation grading requires in-clinic exam, but our vets manage ongoing care, pain relief, and surgical timing decisions using video gait assessment and your vet's records.
- Gait observation — skipping, hopping, and weight-shifting on video
- Review of prior orthopedic grading if available
- Assessment of breed, age, weight, and activity level
- Discussion of pain signs and functional limitations
- Surgical referral recommendation for Grade III–IV or persistent pain
Treatments we may prescribe
Conservative management suits many Grade I–II dogs. Our vets prescribe pain relief and supplements while monitoring for grade progression that warrants surgery.
NSAIDs (carprofen or meloxicam) for pain and inflammation
Gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain
Joint supplements (glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids)
Weight management to reduce knee load
Controlled low-impact exercise (swimming, leash walks)
Surgical referral for trochleoplasty and tibial tuberosity transposition
Physical rehabilitation guidance post-surgery
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Managing luxating patella long-term
Maintain lean body weight to reduce stress on knee joints
Avoid repetitive jumping on hard surfaces in predisposed breeds
Use ramps instead of stairs for small breed dogs when possible
Start joint supplements early in breeds prone to luxation
Schedule regular orthopedic rechecks for growing puppies in at-risk breeds
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
Helpful reading and services from the TelaVets team.
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Frequently asked questions about dog luxating patella
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of luxating patella via video consultation, review your dog's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.
Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.
Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.
If your dog shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.
Get expert help for your dog's luxating patella today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets