Cruciate ligament damage in dogs

MRSCARNEY

I hope Misty is OK this morning.

2 days after Briar got the all clear she was limping, we feared that she had damaged the joint again but after a good nights rest she was fine. It seems that she had just overdone it even though we had tried not to let her.

She now looks as good as new and it's great to see the 3 dogs running along together.

Michele+3

Sorry to hear the scary experiences but is so valuable as Meggie thinks she is absolutely fine now - she reaches week 5 on Thursday, keeps eyeing up the sofa but am keeping her on a lead as is now starting to get very excitable although still limps when first gets up to move around after a while seems to walk it off. Will certainly be cautious over the next few weeks.

Its been really good to check on here and share experiences - thank you. :A

Must be holiday time soon for Briar and the family - have a good one :hello:

Joyful

I've kept her quiet for 2 days now but before the op she could have many weeks before another incident happened so I'll just have to see how she is in the short term just now. Thanks for your thoughts.

Hope everyone else's animals are doing well.

Michele+3- Keeping Misty off the sofas was a nightmare so I'll be thinking of you.

Michele+3

I know what you meant - we didn't detect it straight away and were really shocked when the vet told us the extent of the damage as she was still up for her walks and was limping intermittently and didn't show any signs of pain jumping on and of the sofa with no problem.

Meggie goes back to the specialist on Monday so will see how that goes but is starting to get a glint in her eye wanting to play with our other two dogs (1 being an 18 month old springer who is always up for a game!) and starting to prance around - she has been so agile despite all this and is getting quicker by the day so am watching her like a hawk - be so glad when she can have her freedom back. She has lost weight also but is on a strict rice, fish and veg diet and have been putting aloe vera gel on her shaved leg to stop any itching.

Wishing everyone full and speedy recoveries........

MRSCARNEY

Briar has just got back from her holidays and she had a great time, she really loved swimming on the sea. We did limit her and keep her on the lead part of the time and she did look a bit stiff at the end of the first day. We're keeping a close eye on her though as we're concerned that the leg on the other side is looking a little bit dodgy but maybe we're paranoid :eek:

She's currently lying next to me on the settee snoring and having dreams about chasing seagulls. The other two are on the other settee snoring too, it's a hard life being a springer

Good luck with keeping them off the settees, we failed miserably on that score but fortunately she dpesn't seem to have done herself any harm.

Michele+3

So glad Briar and family had a good holiday and was able to swim, incidentally our vet is convinced that Meggies other cruciate will go and will require the tplo. Our specialist has advised keeping her weight down would help but is no guarantee but did x-ray the other one and said it was ok.

I have read about other poor dogs having the other one go days/couple of weeks after the op but there must be a problem in the first place for it to go like that. I too am worried about the other one but hey ho will wait and see.

Little madam sneaked up on the sofa yesterday when I turned my back for a nanusecond so we have given in and are now lifting her on and off when she is not contained in her room - currently snoozing on her fleece on the mattress. Definitely limping less and getting back to her old self now...

Had another trip to the vet sat with her, poor dog, this time water works, whacked in a jab and antibiotics, was sick twice yesterday so am waiting for vet to call now to see if should stop tabs and take her for her appt with specialist today.

Sorry for the long message but been an eventful few days!

I look forward to hearing how Briar progresses - fingers crossed all goes well but I now what you mean about the other one!!

MRSCARNEY

Well, it looks like we weren't being paranoid
My husband took Briar back to the vets this morning and the vet thinks she may have damaged the other leg. She's been referred back to the specialist so we'll have to see what he says.
One of our other dogs is under the weather too and she's in for an x-ray and blood tests in the morning.

We're so glad they're all insured !!!

Michele+3

I was so sorry to read about Briar this morning and am really hoping that she will recover without surgery - what a nightmare for you. We were also at the vets with Megs brother a couple of weeks ago. Seem to be taking up permanent residence! Do hope your other dog is ok.

Specialist has said Megs leg is very good but another 6 weeks confinement again on lead and staggered longer walks with a little run around afterwards - easy for him to say! The others are looking for a rough and tumble with her.

Totally agree with you on the insurance - you just can afford to be without it!!

Will watch this space and hope for good news for you

MRSCARNEY

Briar's booked in to see the specialist on 22 Dec, the earliest appointment we can get with him so it's on lead walks for her for now. Our other poorly dog Skye is also being referred to a specialist for more tests as her x-ray and blood tests were clear but she still has a temp of 103.

Thanks for your concern, it's appreciated :T

orlao

MRSCARNEY wrote: »

Well, it looks like we weren't being paranoid
My husband took Briar back to the vets this morning and the vet thinks she may have damaged the other leg. She's been referred back to the specialist so we'll have to see what he says.

My vet reckoned that something like 75 -90% of dogs that ruptured one cruciate ligament would rupture the other....don't know if that was a "proper" statistic or just his experience though!

If it's any consulation my rott had 3 ops in 3 months for cruciate repairs and all worked out well....in some ways it's better to get them over and done with. BTW, he went one better than Briar:D he damaged both ligaments at the same time!!!!!