Pet insurance for Luxating Patella in pets

Summary

Luxating patella: a worrying diagnosis

A diagnosis of luxating patella can be stressful for pet owners, especially when a pet starts limping, skipping or struggling to move comfortably. Patellar luxation is one of the most common orthopaedic problems in dogs and is usually diagnosed more often in small breeds, although larger dogs and cats can also be affected. In cats it is less common, but it has been reported particularly in breeds such as Devon Rex and Abyssinian.

Many pet owners understandably ask, “does pet insurance cover luxating patella?” Fortunately, pet insurance generally does cover treatment for luxating patella, provided the condition is not pre-existing and the policy terms, such as waiting periods, are met. Understanding how cover works for orthopaedic conditions such as luxating patella can help pet owners prepare for potentially significant vet bills and make more informed decisions about their pet’s care.

This article explains how luxating patella affects pets, how much treatment may cost, and what to look for when researching pet insurance that covers luxating patella, including Bow Wow Meow’s Nose-to-Tail Cover.

Does pet insurance cover luxating patella?

The short answer is yes, pet insurance covers luxating patella, but there are certain conditions that need to be met. Whether pet insurance covers luxating patella usually comes down to when the condition first developed, whether there were signs before cover began, and the terms and conditions of the policy. Orthopaedic conditions such as patella luxation are among the types of musculoskeletal conditions Bow Wow Meow lists as commonly claimed under illness cover.

So, for pet owners asking, “does pet insurance covers luxating patella surgery?”, the practical answer is that it may be covered if the condition first arises after cover starts, after the applicable illness waiting period has passed, and it is not excluded as pre-existing. That is why taking out cover early, before any joint changes appear, is often so important.

Understanding luxating patella in pets

A luxating patella occurs when a pet’s kneecap (patella) slips out of its normal position in the groove of the thigh bone (femur). It’s most commonly seen in small dog breeds, though it can also affect larger dogs and even cats.

The condition can range from mild (occasional slipping with little discomfort) to severe (frequent dislocation causing pain, limping, and long-term joint damage). Over time, untreated cases may lead to arthritis or mobility issues, which can affect walking, running and jumping.

Differences between dogs and cats

There are some important differences between luxating patella in dogs and cats. In dogs, it is a common orthopaedic disorder, especially in toy and small breeds, and most cases are considered developmental rather than purely traumatic. In cats, the condition is seen less often but has been reported in breeds including Devon Rex and Abyssinian, and may also occur following trauma or developmental abnormalities.

Common causes

Luxating patella is usually linked to genetics, anatomy and developmental joint abnormalities rather than a single injury. It is associated with malalignment of the quadriceps mechanism and related skeletal changes that affect how the kneecap sits and moves. Trauma can also cause or worsen patellar luxation in some pets.

Breeds with a higher risk of luxating patella

Some pets have a much higher risk than others. A VetCompass study found increased odds of patellar luxation in several dog breeds, including Pomeranians at 6.5 times the odds of crossbred dogs, Chihuahuas at 5.9 times, and Yorkshire Terriers at 5.5 times. Other commonly affected breeds include Poodles, French Bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. In cats, Devon Rex and Abyssinian are among the breeds reported more often.

Because luxating patella often has a hereditary or developmental component, this can be especially important when researching pet insurance. Nose-to-Tail Cover does not consider hereditary and congenital conditions as pre-existing conditions if your pet has not shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality before the policy starts or during any applicable waiting period. This means that if your dog or cat is one of the breeds with a higher risk of luxating patella, they can still be covered for luxating patella treatment; what matters is whether the condition had already shown up, or should reasonably have been noticed, before cover commenced.

Why treatment of luxating patella is important

Luxating patella can worsen over time if left untreated. As the kneecap becomes unstable more often, it can rub abnormally on the joint surfaces, contributing to cartilage wear and arthritis. Ongoing instability can also predispose dogs to other knee problems, including cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage pain and may reduce the risk of secondary joint damage.

Treatment of luxating patella depends on the severity. Mild cases are often managed with weight control, physiotherapy, joint supplements, and monitoring. In moderate to severe cases, surgery is often recommended to realign the kneecap and stabilise the joint.

How much does luxating patella surgery cost?

• Diagnostics (consults, X-rays): $300–$800
• Surgery: $1,500–$4,000+ per knee
• Post-op care and rehab: $300–$1,000

Costs can increase if both knees are affected or complications arise.

The cost of luxating patella surgery can vary considerably depending on the individual case, but pet owners should be prepared for costs in the thousands. Australian pricing examples indicate that patella surgery may range from around $3,000 at some clinics to roughly $3,500 to $6,000 more broadly in Melbourne, while Bow Wow Meow currently features a customer story involving a luxating patella surgery claim of $3,600.

The cost of luxating patella surgery can vary widely depending on the individual case, but owners should be prepared for bills in the thousands of dollars. As an example, SASH Vets lists a fixed package price of $5,990 for one knee and $8,000 for two knees.

Because it is difficult to predict the costs of veterinary care, it can help to have measures in place to help prepare for the unexpected. Pet insurance can help by covering a portion of the eligible vet bill if the unexpected does happen.

Get a quick quote

Why is the cost of luxating patella treatment so high?

Several factors influence the cost of luxating patella treatment. One of the biggest is whether surgery is needed in one knee or both, and whether the pet has a more advanced grade requiring more complex reconstruction. Costs may also increase depending on the specialist orthopaedic assessment, imaging, anaesthesia, hospitalisation, medications and aftercare involved.

The cost of surgery is generally higher than a routine GP veterinary procedure because it often involves orthopaedic examination, radiographs and sometimes advanced imaging, specialist surgical expertise, anaesthesia, and rehabilitation or follow-up visits during recovery.

Does pet insurance cover luxating patella treatment?

In many cases, pet insurance does cover luxating patella treatment, but it is not automatically covered in every case.

Most comprehensive pet insurance policies can cover luxating patella if the condition is not pre-existing and occurs after your policy starts.

When it may not be covered:

There are some important limitations to understand:

Pre-existing conditions

If your pet showed signs or was diagnosed before your policy started (or during any waiting periods), treatment is usually excluded. Once symptoms appear, even something minor like occasional skipping, it may be classified as pre-existing and excluded from cover.

Because luxating patella can develop gradually and is often linked to genetics, insuring your pet early is one of the most effective ways to ensure coverage.

Waiting periods

Orthopaedic conditions like luxating patella sometimes have longer waiting periods (sometimes several months).

Hereditary conditions

Luxating patella is considered hereditary in many breeds. Some policies cover hereditary conditions (after waiting periods), while others may exclude them.

Policy limits and sub-limits

• Annual benefit limits apply
• Some policies may have condition-specific caps

Luxating patella is treated as an illness under pet insurance

In Australia, luxating patella is generally treated as an illness or orthopaedic condition under comprehensive accident and illness pet insurance policies. This means it may be covered under policies that include illness cover.

For luxating patella to be covered:

• clinical signs or abnormal findings usually need to arise after the policy starts
• the condition usually needs to be outside any applicable illness waiting periods
• it must not be considered pre-existing, including where signs were present earlier even without a formal diagnosis.

If luxating patella first develops after cover starts and after the waiting period has passed, eligible vet expenses may include diagnosis, surgery, hospitalisation, medications and recovery care, subject to the policy terms, benefit percentage, annual benefit limit and any applicable excess.

On the other hand, if a pet had limping, skipping gait, knee instability or related symptoms before cover began, treatment may be excluded. That is why taking out cover early, before any eye changes are noticed, can be so important.

How Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance approaches luxating patella treatment

Bow Wow Meow’s Nose-to-Tail Cover is an Accident & Illness policy that:

• Offers annual benefit limits of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000, depending on the level chosen^⑅

• Reimburses up to 90% of eligible vet fees (subject to the chosen benefit percentage and any excess)^⑅

• Has no sub-limits – meaning there are no smaller caps specifically for luxating patella or other particular conditions; the entire annual limit can be used where it’s most needed

Luxating patella surgery is not treated as a special separate category: like other musculoskeletal conditions, luxating patella surgery is generally covered as long as it is not pre-existing and the policy’s terms are met, including waiting periods and exclusions.

This means that potentially you can claim up to $30,000 for luxating patella related vet bills, if you have taken out Nose-to-Tail Cover with a $30,000 annual limit^⑅.

Bear in mind that Nose-to-Tail Cover is subject to waiting periods, pre-existing condition rules and other terms and exclusions set out in the current PDS.

Researching pet insurance providers

Here are some practical steps you can follow to research pet insurance providers:

• Check reviews and ratings from independent platforms and search results to get a sense of customer experience, for example, sites like productreview.com.au and Google ratings. Existing and previous customers and can provide a lot of valuable information, especially when it comes to customer service.
• Make a shortlist of pet insurance providers that suit your needs and budget. You should look for three or four that offer the coverage you need, the price you can afford, and the customer service you expect.
• Do some online research of the pet insurance providers you are interested in. Spend time on their websites to get a feel of the company. Is pet insurance their core focus, or just one of a range of types of insurance they provide?
• Compare more than just price by looking closely at annual limits, reimbursement percentages, exclusions, waiting periods and orthopaedic condition wording.

• Compare the quotes and coverage of different pet insurance providers. You can usually do this online, but in many cases you can also contact the insurance companies directly and ask for quotes and details about their cover and benefits if this is an easier option for you.
• When reading a PDS, search for phrases such as “patella luxation”, “luxating patella”, “pre-existing condition”, “waiting period”, “hereditary conditions” and “orthopaedic conditions” so you can see how the policy is likely to respond. Make sure that bilateral conditions are covered (e.g. both knees).

Evaluating pet insurance that covers luxating patella surgery

Once you’ve narrowed down a few options, it helps to look closely at the structure of the cover. Be sure to carefully research the following points.

Annual limits and sub-limits

Because benefits are usually capped by a policy’s annual benefit limit and any sub-limits that may apply, look for a policy with:

• a high enough annual limit to accommodate potentially costly orthopaedic surgery
• no restrictive sub-limits for musculoskeletal conditions
• enough flexibility to use the full annual limit where it is needed most.

Bow Wow Meow’s Nose-to-Tail Cover has no sub-limits and up to $30,000 annual limit, giving you flexibility to use the full annual limit on luxating patella management and treatment, if required, in a given year^⑅.

Get a quick quote

Ongoing cover

Many pet insurance policies are designed to help cover ongoing conditions year after year, provided the policy is renewed continuously (i.e. you continue paying your premiums) and the terms are met. This can be important for luxating patella, where monitoring, rehabilitation, osteoarthritis management or secondary issues may continue beyond the initial diagnosis or surgery.

Excess and waiting periods

Check:

• How often the excess applies – some excesses are applied per condition and others only once per policy period (including our Nose-to-Tail Cover)
• What the illness waiting period is
• Whether any longer waiting periods apply to orthopaedic conditions
• What reimbursement percentage applies after the excess.

These details can make a real difference to how a luxating patella claim plays out, especially if your pet is diagnosed soon after you take out the policy.

Pre-existing conditions

Like other illness conditions, luxating patella treatment is unlikely to be covered if there were signs of the condition before the policy started or during the waiting period. That is why one of the most sensible strategies is often to take out pet insurance while your pet is still young and healthy, before any signs of knee instability are noticed.

Prevention and early detection

You cannot necessarily prevent luxating patella, but early detection can make a meaningful difference to treatment options, comfort and sometimes overall costs. Keep an eye out for early signs such as:

• Skipping or hopping on one leg
• Sudden lameness that resolves quickly
• Difficulty standing or jumping
• Reluctance to exercise
• Visible discomfort or stiffness

You can reduce risk and manage the condition by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Providing regular, low-impact exercise
• Avoiding excessive jumping or strain
• Using joint-support supplements (if recommended by your vet)
• Scheduling regular vet check-ups

Early intervention may help slow progression of the joint changes associated with luxating patella and reduce the risk of longer-term complications such as arthritis and secondary ligament problems.

In conclusion

Luxating patella is a common and potentially costly joint condition in pets, especially dogs, and it can have a major effect on mobility, comfort and long-term quality of life. In mild cases it may be managed conservatively, but in moderate to severe cases surgery is often medically necessary to improve function and reduce ongoing joint damage. As this article has shown, diagnostics, specialist surgery and aftercare can quickly lead to veterinary bills in the thousands.

Pet insurance can play an important role in reducing the financial stress of unexpected orthopaedic treatment. Taking out cover early, before any signs of luxating patella appear, and understanding key policy terms such as waiting periods, pre-existing conditions, annual limits, reimbursement percentages and excess, can make a real difference to whether treatment may be covered.

If you have concerns about your pet’s movement or knee health, speak with your vet as early as possible and review your pet insurance options before problems arise so you can make informed decisions with more confidence.

Sources:

“What Is Patellar Luxation?”, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/patellar-luxation. Accessed 21 Apr 2026

“Canine Patellar Luxation: Diagnosis and Treatment Options for General Practitioners”, Today’s Veterinary Practice, https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/orthopedics/canine-patellar-luxation-diagnosis-and-treatment-options-for-general-practitioners/. Accessed 21 Apr 2026

“The Epidemiology of Patellar Luxation in Dogs Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England”, VetCompass / Journal of Animal Practice, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27280025/. Accessed 21 Apr 2026

“Patellar Luxation”, National Institutes of Health / PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6055913/. Accessed 21 Apr 2026

“Patellar Luxation in Cats”, National Institutes of Health / PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1524842/. Accessed 21 Apr 2026

“NSW Fixed priced packages create peace of mind for your dog or cat”, SASH, https://sashvets.com/fixed-price-cataract-surgery/. Accessed 21 Apr 2026