Hydrotherapy for dog that has torn cruciate ligament?

thatsfabulous

Hello
Just wondering if anyones dog has hydrotherapy and if it has helped?

My 4 year old bichon frise torn her cruciate ligament in the summer and ever since hasn't enjoyed her walks as much as she did and also can't walk for very long. Some days are better than others and some days she just wont walk at all.
She had medication at the time of injury and vet said that she didn't need an operation. Over christmas we found her to be quite down and not wanting to walk and so the vet gave her an xray. She said that leg isn't any worse and that she isn't suffering from arthritis.

We are giving her granuals on food for joint pain and cod liver oil.

Some of the time shes walking like a 14 year old dog not a 4 year old dog so would certainly give the hydrotherapy a try if it is known to help.

Melonade

Hi,

Sorry to hear that your little dog has a sore leg.

I can't really give advice for hydro with a dog that has a torn cruciate but can for a dog that had the op to fix it.

Our staffy tore his cruciate, had the op to fix it but then got a massive infection (just one of those things, he was very unlucky) Anyway the infection was so bad that he wouldn't even use his leg, the weight fell off it and it looked really bad, very thin, no muscle at all. After it cleared up our vet advised some hydrotherapy for him. It was brilliant!!! He went for 12 sessions and it helped build up the muscle, not quite back to how it was and it won't ever be the same but still he's back to his normal daft self.

It really helped by making him stretch his legs in the water and helped him start holding his weight on it. He didn't like the pool though so he stayed in the water walker. I can't recommend it enough :T

I'm not saying she needs the op (obviously I'm not a vet) but I would consider getting a second opinion. If she's not managing some days it might be worth it for your own peace of mind.

Our dog now has glucosamine supplements and green lipped mussel capsules sprinkled over his food. I don't know if they work because I started giving them to him when he started hydrotherapy... I'm just too scared to not give them to him now... just in case

Waterfalls

i think it worth asking for a referal to an orthopaedic vets for a specialised opinion, as the usually always required some sort of surgery.

mirrorimage0

our rottie max had hydrotherapy but for hip dysplacia and it certainly seemed to help him,he ended up woth it very badly and could no longer walk in the end so had to be pts but he used to love going, we also gave him the glucosamin tablets and pain killers when needed. i believe it gave him longer with us and strengthene his legs so he was not in as much pain.

Myrtle0204

I to am surprised your vet didn't recommend surgery, our Border collie snapped both of hers last year - at different times - and has had both replaced. We were told that if when they didn't have surgery it could lead to problems later on. We didn't do hydrotherapy as we have a river down the road which she loves swimming in - she's also on metacam every day and for the most part is as fit as a fiddle ;0)

universalady_2

I have to say, I cannot believe you have exercised your dog knowing that she can't move well and is in obvious discomfort. Torn cruciates are painful, and they do not rarely heal themselves, ruptured cruciates rarely heal themselves either although chances are if it will it will happen in a smaller breed of dog.

IF she has been like this for the last 6 months or so, it is NOT going to heal with hydrotherapy now, she will need to see another vet. Metacam and the like will only help with the discomfort, something needs to be done about the cruciate itself. Hydrotherapy will aid the recovery if she has an operation to fix it. But the longer a torn/ruptured cruciate is left, the less likely she will make a full recovery.

I hope she's insured, cos if you do decide to take her back to the vet, (a different one I hope) and they advise to have a TPLO op' or similar, it won't be cheap. These types of ops can cost in the region of 3K upwards, plus then the aftercare and rehabilitation

Anyway, I truely hope your little dog will be OK, let us know how you get on

thatsfabulous

Myrtle0204 wrote: »

I to am surprised your vet didn't recommend surgery, our Border collie snapped both of hers last year - at different times - and has had both replaced. We were told that if when they didn't have surgery it could lead to problems later on. We didn't do hydrotherapy as we have a river down the road which she loves swimming in - she's also on metacam every day and for the most part is as fit as a fiddle ;0)

Thank you. We have the metacam too, No never she said she may need it at the time of injury but then afterwards said she didn't need it and since we have been back its never been mentioned.
I'm glad your dog is ok now.

universalady wrote: »

I have to say, I cannot believe you have exercised your dog knowing that she can't move well and is in obvious discomfort. Torn cruciates are painful, and they do not rarely heal themselves, ruptured cruciates rarely heal themselves either although chances are if it will it will happen in a smaller breed of dog.

IF she has been like this for the last 6 months or so, it is NOT going to heal with hydrotherapy now, she will need to see another vet. Metacam and the like will only help with the discomfort, something needs to be done about the cruciate itself. Hydrotherapy will aid the recovery if she has an operation to fix it. But the longer a torn/ruptured cruciate is left, the less likely she will make a full recovery.

I hope she's insured, cos if you do decide to take her back to the vet, (a different one I hope) and they advise to have a TPLO op' or similar, it won't be cheap. These types of ops can cost in the region of 3K upwards, plus then the aftercare and rehabilitation

Anyway, I truely hope your little dog will be OK, let us know how you get on

Thanks for your reply.
We will never ever make her walk if she does not want to, its only some of the time it gives her discomfort. She went on a big walk last weekend and loved it was like her old self, then a couple of weekends before that went to a big park about 50mins drive from us which she really likes and again was great had a lovely time. If she ever doesnt want to walk we will just carry her home or put her back in the car an take her home.
Yes she is insured.
Thanks I will take her to another vet for a second opionion and let you all know how I get on with her.

thatsfabulous

Melonade wrote: »

Hi,

Sorry to hear that your little dog has a sore leg.

I can't really give advice for hydro with a dog that has a torn cruciate but can for a dog that had the op to fix it.

Our staffy tore his cruciate, had the op to fix it but then got a massive infection (just one of those things, he was very unlucky) Anyway the infection was so bad that he wouldn't even use his leg, the weight fell off it and it looked really bad, very thin, no muscle at all. After it cleared up our vet advised some hydrotherapy for him. It was brilliant!!! He went for 12 sessions and it helped build up the muscle, not quite back to how it was and it won't ever be the same but still he's back to his normal daft self.

It really helped by making him stretch his legs in the water and helped him start holding his weight on it. He didn't like the pool though so he stayed in the water walker. I can't recommend it enough :T

I'm not saying she needs the op (obviously I'm not a vet) but I would consider getting a second opinion. If she's not managing some days it might be worth it for your own peace of mind.

Our dog now has glucosamine supplements and green lipped mussel capsules sprinkled over his food. I don't know if they work because I started giving them to him when he started hydrotherapy... I'm just too scared to not give them to him now... just in case

Thanks for yor responce, I am glad your dog is fit and healthy now and hydrotherapy really helped your dog. I will get a second opionion on her leg.

orlao

I do know of one dog (JRT) that ruptured both CL, was referred to a specialist and the owner was told that an op wasn't required. She's about 12 now and seems fine.

Every other dog I've known that has had the same injury including my rott has had surgery but they are usually bigger dogs...

My dog has been going to hydrotheraphy for the last 18 months, at first 3 times a week, then twice a week and after 6 months just the once a week. It's been near miraculous as he had lost all his muscle in his back legs and was weak on them. The difference in him after 6 months was fantastic.

I would recommend hydrotheraphy to nearly everyone but
make sure that your vet refers you - anywhere that will take a dog without a vet referral is breaking the terms of their trade/regulatory body.

chris_n_tj

As many others have said I am quite surprised the op wasnt given. If it was myself I would ask for a second oppinion. My friends Bichon has had both her cruciate ligaments done over the last 18 months, even though she looked ok when she walked the change in her now is wonderful.

Bichons like many dogs hide the pain, so for her to show signs of pain would mean it needs looking at further. I dont know where in the country you are but there are some great specialisits around.

I hope yuo get her sorted soon xxx

kazschow

My big male chow ruptutred his CCL, a couple of years ago, we were recommended to go see an ortho specialist, who gave us all the options, conservative managment, TPLO surgery etc. We opted for the surgery, and I am glad we did, he is now completely pain free, oin no medication, and runs and plays like a big dog like him should.

Don;t be misled, into beliving your dog isn;t in pain because she doesn;t show it.. dogs have had to develop the ability to hide pain, survicval of the fitest and all. A dog looking pained or ill would be run from the pack, this instinct still thrives in our domestic pets.

I'd be asking for a specialist referall, if your dog had a ruptured CCL, and your not having surgery you should be using conservative measures, and this is a tough option, it's restricting exercise, not putting it in for hydro!

FWIW, my male went for hydro after his leg had healed post surgery, and in my experience it was truely aweful unfortunately, we had only one session, my dog was pinned to the floor, then dragged backwards down a ramp, with him scrabbling to get out, after the hydrotherapist (I use this term very loosly!!!) When my boy was eventually let out, 10 mins into the session, he ran straight under my chair and vomitted, then poo'd himself, needless to say I never took him back!!!