Anyone else's dog had cruciate ligament surgery?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

After a couple of weeks of trying anti-inflammatory medication, the vet has decided to take x-rays with a view to surgery.

I'm just wanting to know how other people helped their dog recover from the surgery & how long it takes before it heals.

Thanks in advance.

Welshwoofs

Hey there

Yup, my Neo has had it. In all honesty the recovery period depends on factors such as the method of surgery done (there are several), the size of dog, age of dog, general health and what recovery program you follow.

The traditional surgical method is the external capsular repair. There's a very popular one that involves changing the shape of the bone itself that's called the tibial plateau levelling operation. There's a variation of the external operation called the tightrope procedure and a variation of the tibial plateau levelling operation called the tibial tuberoscity advancement. Different vets will do different operations depending on a) what they think is best for your dog and b) the surgical method they're trained in or prefer.

My Neo had the TightRope and the surgery went very well....however he was unlucky enough to get the canine superbug MRSI and subsequently spent months on high grade antibiotics culminating with having to have another surgical procedure to remove the implants. That was a couple of years ago now and his stifle is stable.

So...my advice is to ask questions, research the various forms of surgery and the risks thereof. Whatever you have it's a slow recovery with graded exercise. Many recommend hydrotherapy to help.

Schnauzer

My dog was unfortunate to have both knees repaired. Recent one was a year ago, yet full recovery made. A lot of tender loving care, hydrotherapy and a bit of physiotherapy on the first leg and she was as right as rain.

Heartbreaking to see them in pain afterwards but cuddles helped.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

The vet has said that he will remove the damaged ligament & use nylon thread to act as a ligament. Obviously I'm saying this in very simple terms.

He is coming up 8 years old. However, I got him from a local rescue center about 8 weeks ago. He damaged his leg trying to hurtle up the stairs. I have since gotten a stair gate so he now can't go up the stairs anymore.

Schnauzer

I believe the nylon is what was used to repair both my dogs knees. On the second one, it was removed eight months later as she was constantly licking the area and making it infected, but the first is still there.
She's 9 years old now, did the first getting excited out in the garden and the second whilst playing with my sister. She's still acts like a puppy now, complete loon.

Welshwoofs

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

The vet has said that he will remove the damaged ligament & use nylon thread to act as a ligament. Obviously I'm saying this in very simple terms.

That's the External Capsular Repair which, along with the Tightrope, is the least intrusive.

It's worth you having a Google on the surgery type so you can gen up on what it involves and what the post-surgical management is likely to be.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Schnauzer wrote: »

My dog was unfortunate to have both knees repaired. Recent one was a year ago, yet full recovery made. A lot of tender loving care, hydrotherapy and a bit of physiotherapy on the first leg and she was as right as rain.

Heartbreaking to see them in pain afterwards but cuddles helped.

I am going to ask the vet if he would refer my dog to the local hydrotherapy/physio center. Apparently if the referral
is via the vet, the insurance will cover the costs.

meames_2

mine sis, he was about 8 at the time, we was actually well within about 4 weeks, walking really well. the vet said she couldn't tell which leg was the bad one! Only for hime to actually do the other leg 3 weeks later. Only that time she said that arthitis had set in and not much would be gained from the operation.

He had cod liver oil and animal glucosimiune tablets, hopefully they helped.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

In the end, after an x-ray, the vet discovered that at some point my dog has experienced some sort of trauma to the knee which in turn had chipped the bone. So, my dog has 3 little fragments of bone floating about. The vet has said he doesn't want to operate as it could cause more complex problems.

He has suggested treating the injury with pain killers for the time being. However, I am going to ask him if hydrotherapy/phsyio would help.

I am also going to look at natural pain relief aswell as I don't want my dog on painkillers forever.

D&DD

Well we are having a rotten year here Rosie has just recovered from a cut leg and has now done her cruciate ligament in on a hind one

Our vet has referred her to a specialist in Godalming as she didn't want to do the tightrope repair as she didn't think it would hold (Rosie weighs 22kg approx)

Consult and repair are booked for the 27th which is not ideal but she is coping well on 3 legs ATM as its so hot she isn't doing much apart from sleeping..well thats usual anyway

My question is can I do anything else to make her more comfortable before surgery?? She doesn't cry or make a fuss about it but its obviously sore as she won't put it down.

Would coldpacks or heatpacks sooth it better?

She has pain meds and thankfully she is insured although when our renewal comes in october I may need to have a lay down in a darkened room!!!

gettingready

There is a Diary of this sort of operation on Dog pages forum.

Perhaps this will help:

http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-health-nutrition/93861-cruciate-operation-diary.html