My dog was just diagnosed has having a torn ACL and needs surgery. However, being a beagle/basset mix, weighing in at 43 pounds, he needs to loose weight first. The vet put him on a strict reduced calorie diet and gave him some Rimadyl for 10 days. Surgery to be within 2 months, but after he loses 10 pounds. Anyone have any suggestions, besides to 2 cups of high protein diet dog food, no treats, no people food of how to crash diet a dog? He really can't excersise having the one bad leg. Also, she didn't give any suggestions for treating this injury before the surgery. He sometimes limps in the leg and sometimes lifts it up. Thank you so much in advance for all your answers!
2006-08-28 06:55:30 · 6 answers · asked by candoil 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My dog tore her ACL and also weighed about 45 pounds (a bit overweight) at the time. Rather than surgery she had what I called a soft cast put on (there is an acutal veterinary name for it, after the guy who invented it, but can't remember what it's called). It was basically some surgical tape and a tone of bandaging around her leg. This kept the leg immobile so that the tear could mend on its own.
2006-08-28 08:11:09 · answer #1 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this sounds silly, but it works for people (this coming from an avid dog lover and someone who's studied sports medicine). Maybe you could soak the limb (leg whatever) in warm water or wrap it in a warm towel for a bit. That would loosen it up. Does your dog like to go for walks (what dog doesn't?). Maybe you can start small and just walk him down the street (if you live in a small neighborhood). Don't go too far- you might strain the injury even more. I would suggest doing any kind of exercise you can get the dog to do. Even if it's a walk. Good luck and hope your dog feel better soon.
2006-08-28 07:22:23 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenixsong 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem with diet food in dogs is that they hate it and will not eat it. When show people want to make dogs loose weight before a show they will take a portion of their dogs food (one third to one half) and replace it with some vegetables. Some will use canned green beans and some mixed vegetables. Get the kind with no salt added then rinse them. Vegetables have very few calories. They also have fiber. With replacing this with your dogs food, they still fill up and are not hungry. Works very quickly and is healthy. Before doing anything, though, run it past your vet.
2006-08-28 07:03:31 · answer #3 · answered by K G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him two meals of food per day. If the vet said 2 cups of food than give him two one cup meals, one in the morning and one in the evening. If he still acts like he's hungry than you can give him some canned green beans with his food. The green beans won't give any nutrition but will fill his belly up. After a while you have to reduce the green beans because you want him to get used to only eating dog food. Other than that there is really not much you can do. I know how hard it is to say no to those pleading eyes. I went through the same thing with my dog because she has patella luxation. Good luck!!
2006-08-28 07:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by GPcrazy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming it is a rear knee he blew out, consider taking him swimming. Find a dog park nbear by with lake access and get the dog swimming.
and yeah, for the health of your pet, stop feeding him table scraps for the rest of his life.
beagles and bassetts alike can tend to get fat and lazy as they get older...so it is your job to keep them active. AND beagles have a habit of eating POOP. Gross, but true, so keep your yard picked up. He'll eat poop if he's hungry and it'll kill the diet.
2006-08-28 07:02:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
We went the conservative management route using a brace. Our Vet suggested the atrac brace from woundwear. Instead of surgery.
2015-12-31 05:02:47 · answer #6 · answered by Nicole 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋