How Much Does Luxating Patella Surgery Cost In Cats?

Luxating patella is a condition that can occur in cats in which the knee joint pops or moves out of its normal place. If you’re looking around for information on luxating patella surgery costs in cats, you’ve arrived at the right place.

In this article, we’ll examine luxating patella in cats, its causes, the treatments available, and, perhaps of utmost importance to many pet owners, the surgical costs of repairing it. Failure to obtain treatment for this condition can lead to severe health issues.

With more than fifteen years of experience in the insurance industry, as well as being a cat owner myself,I’ve seen how vitally important it is for timely intervention in this and other health problems in pets.

Symptoms Of Luxating Patella In Cats

• Intermittent lameness or limping in one or both rear limbs
• Licking and/or chewing around one or both knees
• Popping or clicking sound on manipulation of affected knee/s

Diagnosis Of Luxating Patella In Cats

Diagnosis of luxating patella in cats is made after the vet palpates the knee joint and rules out other causes for the problem. X-Rays are often necessary to confirm a diagnosis. The vet may discover a luxating patella in one or both of the cat’s knees.

The luxation is often medial, meaning that it dislocates toward the inside of the cat’s knee. Or, the luxation might be lateral, which means it dislocates to the outside of the knee.The diagnosis of a luxating patella will fall into one of four categories based on the severity of the dislocation:

• Grade I: The kneecap can be dislocated from the groove when the vet puts pressure on it, but goes back into place when pressure is released.
• Grade II: The kneecap pops in and out intermittently on its own. It remains out of place until the leg is straightened and then turned in such a way that lets the kneecap return to the groove.
• Grade III: The kneecap is out of the groove most of the time, but can be manually moved back into place.
• Grade IV: The kneecap is continuously out of place and can’t be manually repositioned back into place.

Causes Of Luxating Patella In Cats

The exact cause of patellar luxation is unknown, but possible contributing factors include:

• Patellar luxation can occur when the trochlear groove is too shallow to hold the kneecap in place.
• It may be the result of tendon, ligament, or muscle injuries. It may also be caused by an anatomical deformity like the cat being bow legged.
• Some cats might be genetically predisposed to luxating patella.

Treatment Of Luxating Patella

Treatment options for luxating patella include both non-surgical and surgical methods:

Conservative Management:

• Medications: Pain relief medications and/or anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage symptoms and improve your cat’s quality of life.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve joint function and muscle strength are helpful even if your cat requires surgery.
• Rest and Exercise Restriction: Limiting your cat’s activity to prevent further injury can reduce the chances of it needing surgery.

Surgical Intervention:

• Surgical Intervention: Surgery realigns the patella and deepens the trochlear groove to keep the kneecap in the correct place.
• Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Rehab after surgery for luxated patella in cats involves Physical therapy along with restricted activity to ensure healing.

How Much Does Luxating Patella Surgery Cost?

Luxating patella surgery expenses may vary based on various factors, including the facility location, the vet’s specialty and experience, as well as the surgical technique used. On average, the cost will be between $1,500 to $3,300 per knee.

What Is Included In The Luxating Patella Surgery Cost For Cats?

The total cost of luxating patella surgery typically includes several components:

• Initial Vet Visit
• Pre-Operative Blood Work
• Anesthesia
• Surgical Procedure
• Medication

Any complications or follow-up visits and/or treatments can add to the total cost of the surgery.

Real-World Examples Of Luxating Patella Surgery Costs

• Lemonade Pet Insurance: They provide a range of $1,000 to $5,000 per knee, and  emphasize that there may be additional costs such as follow-up care.
• A-Z Animals: A-Z Animals states an average cost range of $1,000 to $5,000 per knee. They mention that the price may vary depending on whether one or both knees are affected.
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Costs average between $1,500-$5,000 for surgical correction of luxating patella. More complicated cases or those needing specialized care might be higher​​.

What Factors Affect The Cost Of Luxating Patella Surgery For Cats?

The cost of luxating patella surgery for cats may vary significantly depending on various factors. Gaining an understanding of these factors can help you anticipate the cost and also make better, more informed decisions about your cat’s care.

Here are some of the factors that influence the total cost of luxating patella surgery for your cat:

• Pre-Operative Consultations and Tests: Diagnostic tests like blood work and  imaging as well as pre-surgery visits and physical examinations add to the total cost of the surgery.
• Anesthesia: The type of anesthesia used along with the duration of anesthesia during the surgery may considerably impact the cost of the procedure overall.
• Geographical Location: The cost of veterinary services may differ widely based on the location of the veterinary facility, with higher costs in urban, metropolitan areas and lower costs in rural areas​.
• Pre and Post-Surgery Medications: Your cat will probably need pre-op medications as well as post-op, both of which increase the total cost.
• Vet’s Experience and Specialty: A veterinary surgeon who is board certified may charge more due to their specialized training as well as their experience and expertise, things that are critical for complicated cases​​
• Follow-Up Care: Post-surgery care, especially follow-up visits, adds to the overall cost and is an important part of ensuring a successful recovery and managing any complications​.
• Complications and/or Additional Treatments: Additional treatments may be necessary if complications arise during or after surgery, raising the total cost.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Luxating Patella Surgery In Cats?

Pet insurance generally provides coverage for luxating patella surgery, but may vary by policy and insurance provider. The majority of pet insurance plans do cover surgeries for conditions such as luxating patella.

Hereditary And Congenital Conditions

A lot of comprehensive pet insurance policies have coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions, including luxating patella in cats. For instance, Lemonade Pet Insurance generally covers the cost of luxating patella surgery, with the exclusion of deductibles and coinsurance, provided that the policy was in place before any symptoms appear​ed.

MetLife Pet Insurance covers luxating patella surgery under policies that include hereditary conditions, too, but advises pet owners to check for any exclusions related to particular pre-existing conditions​​.

Pre-Existing Conditions

It is rare for a pet insurance policy to cover pre-existing conditions. If your pet is diagnosed with luxating patella before you purchase the policy, or shows symptoms during the waiting period, the surgery may not be covered​​.

How Can I Save Money On Luxating Patella Surgery For Cats?

Saving money on luxating patella surgery for your cat can be done with a little bit of strategy and some research.

Purchasing pet insurance that covers hereditary and congenital conditions might be your first consideration, as this can greatly offset your out-of-pocket cost for something like luxating patella surgery in cats.

Most comprehensive pet insurance policies will cover the surgery with the exclusion of a deductible and coinsurance, with a possible savings for you of hundreds to thousands of dollars. It’s wise to enroll your pet in insurance early on, to avoid any issues that might arise with pre-existing condition exclusions.

Another way to save money is by exploring payment plans or financing options sometimes offered by veterinary clinics. Some clinics offer payment plans or financing options that are free of interest. These can help you spread the cost over time,instead of paying the total bill up front and all at once.

You might also look for veterinary schools that offer discounted rates for procedures that are performed by students under supervision.

What Cat Breeds Are Typically Affected By Luxating Patella?

Breeds that may be more prone to develop this condition are:.

• Abyssinian
• Burmese
• Devon Rex

Is Surgery Required For Luxating Patella In Cats?

Surgery is usually required to correct luxating patella in cats once it develops, depending on the severity. Non-surgical treatments, including manual repositioning, are often temporary and don’t provide a permanent fix. Surgery is ordinarily necessary to properly reposition the kneecap so that it fits securely into the patellar groove.

Without surgical intervention, the condition can lead to further complications including osteoarthritis, pain and discomfort, and a reduced quality of life.

What Happens If Luxating Patella Is Left Untreated?

Every time the kneecap rides out of its groove, the cartilage—which is the normal lining within joints—is damaged. This leads to  pain and osteoarthritis. As the trauma goes on and becomes chronic, the kneecap may ride out of its normal groove more and more often, which eventually exposes areas of bone. This, in turn, may cause chronic lameness and severe arthritis in the joint.

The constant rotation on the knee caused by patella luxation may also lead to ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears and lameness that continues to worsen as time goes on.

How Can I Prevent Luxating Patella In Cats?

While it isn’t possible to completely prevent luxating patella in cats, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of this condition:

• Safe Environment: For example, If your cat is a jumper that likes to jump up and then down, to and from heights, consider placing steps or platforms to lessen the impact on the cat’s knees.
• Healthy Weight: Making sure  your cat maintains a healthy weight will reduce stress on their joints, including their knees, which may help prevent various joint issues such as luxating patella.
• Avoid Breeding: If your cat has luxating patella, you shouldn’t breed it. This will prevent passing on its possible genetic predisposition.