9 month old Yorkie is guarding hind leg... what should i do?

[Rose8389]

From the title you would instantly say vets, well ill explain. Lilly is a 9month old yorkshire terrier. On friday i noticed that she was picking up her back leg whilst running, but when walking she is fine on 4 legs. She puts weight on the leg, sits on it, lies on it, she is still jumping up. When my boyrfriend touches the leg she is fine, when i touch it to see whats wrong she snaps at me. (She is my dog) but only occaisionally, almost like a child who pretends their ill and forgets to say oh that hurt but will do it next time.
Its strange, the only time and i mean the only time she guards it is when she is running. Could she have strained it or something? My friend, a vet said if she had broken something i would know.
Please give me advice. I have decided not to walk her this week and only take her into the garden to give her limit running around space as i dont want to aggrivate what ever it is, but its just so wierd, that one minute its fine and the next its not.

[Misfits4Me]

Hello & welcome.....When one minute it's fine & the next it's not, it's usually a "Luxating Patella". What happenes is the knee cap pops out of place & they limp. At this stage it's painful...Then it pops back in and feels fine.....It's very common in toy breeds....Your girl must have had this trait passed from her parents which means the breeder was NOT doing his/her job!

Patellas are graded from 1-5....Usually, 1,2,or 3 are just managed with joint supplements....4 or 5 usually need surgery....

Google "Luxating Patella" and see what you think......Good luck and come back w/updates.......Karla

[Margot49]

She may have an ACL injury, her kneecap is popping out.  Yes, I would try resting her, no jumping, etc.  The knee can pop in and out. Usually, surgery is needed to correct it.