It’s been a sad year for celebrity pets. In the past 12 months, there have been multiple deaths of pets owned by celebrities (Serena Williams, Demi Lovato, Paris Hilton and Gigi Hadid to name a few) and dogs that are celebrities themselves (Tillman and Uggie).
To close out 2015, Bravo’s Real Housewives of the Beverly Hills (RHOBH) and Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump took to Twitter to share the news that her dog Daddio passed away, saying: “‘My little Daddio passed away whilst we were traveling back, daddy of Giggy whom we adopted two years ago. So very sad.”
One of Vanderpump’s RHOBH pals also shared her condolences via Twitter. Lisa Rinna stated, “I am So very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Daddio. I know you all loved him so.” I love that Lisa Rinna! She always comes across as one of the most real RHOBH cast members.
Daddio is not as well known as Vanderpump’s more famous canine companion, Giggy, who has two Twitter handles (@GiggyThePom and @GiggyVanderpump) and collectively has over 100,000 followers. Giggy is very prominently featured on RHOBH and travels extensively with Vanderpump and her husband, Kenneth Todd. I’ve even had the intriguing experience of being called to the couple’s fabulous Villa Rosa estate to examine Giggy.
Fortunately, Giggy is still with us, but the world is collectively mourning the loss of Daddio. Daddio joined the Vanderpump-Todd family fold later in life. As Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant VANDER PUMP is somewhat of a neighborhood haunt of mine, I see her, Todd, and various other RHOBH cast members ensconced around a large, central table with predictable regularity.
Since I know Vanderpump and Todd as their service provider and though the pet-media world, they are always very gracious and willing to engage in pet-related conversation. I recall when VANDER PUMP first opened, I showed up without a reservation and Vanderpump put my husband and I at a prominent table and gave us a complimentary glass of delicious sangria (Thank you, Lisa!). When Daddio first came to their home, Vanderpump expressed concerns about Daddio’s bilateral patellar luxation.
The patella is the medical term for the kneecap. Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slides from its appropriate position in the direction of either the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the knee. Bilateral patellar luxation affects both the right and left sides. Medial patellar luxation is one of the most common orthopedic conditions affecting small dogs of pure or mixed breeding. It’s can be an inherited condition that can be passed from one generation to another, so the general recommendation is to not breed dogs that are affected by patellar luxation.
Lateral patellar luxation is seen less frequently than medial and more likely occurs from trauma where the patella is forced out of the normal position. There are four grades of medial patellar luxation, with one being mildest and four being most severe. Other common terms for patellar luxation is are “trick knee” or “floating patella”.
Clinical signs of patellar laxation include hind limb lameness (limping), inability to completely straighten the hind limb, reluctance to go up stairs or onto elevated surfaces and exercise intolerance. The most common sign I see is the tendency for an affected dog to hold up the limb while walking and “skip” for a few steps before placing the limb down and resuming a more normal gait.
When patellar luxation goes untreated, the normal structures that create stability inside the knee, including the cruciate ligaments and menisci, bear more stress when the knee flexes, extends and bears weight. Degenerative changes consistent with osteoarthritis will ultimately occur inside the joint and cause pain and reduced range of motion.
Maintaining a lean body weight on a lifelong basis, avoiding potentially traumatic activities (like repeated jumping or excessive stair climbing) and providing joint support nutraceuticals (supplements like ActivPhy, fish oil-based omega fatty acids and others) and pain medications can help manage the clinical signs of patellar luxation.
Prior to his death, Vanderpump asked me if Daddio should have surgery regarding his reported bilateral patellar luxation. Surgery to help improve the condition typically creates a deeper groove at the end of femur (“thigh bone”) so the patella can more securely sit in the groove and have less mobility. The procedure requires a recovery of four to eight weeks or more, commonly requires the skill of a board certified veterinary surgeon over a general practitioner and can cost thousands of dollars, so surgery isn’t pursued as frequently as owners simply observing their pet to monitor for worsening clinical signs. Yet, especially when done before the knee is affected by osteoarthritis, surgery can virtually eliminate clinical signs and make the knee both more functional and comfortable. I recommended Vanderpump seek a consultation with a veterinary surgeon for Daddio, but I’m unsure if such was done before he departed us.
It’s not yet known why Daddio passed away, but I suspect it was not a consequence of patellar luxation. The condition may affect his mobility, but it’s unlikely to be deemed a cause of death.
My well wishes extend to the Vanderpump-Todd family for the loss of their beloved canine companion. I hope Giggy and the numerous other animals meandering the grounds of Villa Rosa have many healthy years to come.
Thank you for reading this article. Your constructive comments are welcome (although I may not respond).