My dog is missing a back leg, he is a 66 lb german sheperd. I was told by the vet what I should and shouldnt do with him to prevent ACL injuries, such as frisbee and stuff like that. My question is: if he did sustain an ACL injury in his hind leg, and is already missing a hind leg, then what the heck would happen then? How would he get around? Anyone know of this happening or had it happen to their dog? I'm serious by the way.....
2006-12-04 05:17:30 · 4 answers · asked by rufnready 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a giant dog years ago. He had many hip and knee surgeries, and remained pretty dysplastic on the right hip but he was functional, with medication. When he was 8, he sustained a ACL/CCL tear to the left knee. There was no way he would have been comfortable for long and he was not able to have the tear repaired due to the severity of the other hip. It never would have been able to support him during recovery. He had to be euthanized due to the tears.
IF your dog had a ACL tear, it would almost surely be a death sentence. He at some point would have to bear partial weight on the leg for recovery, but that would be difficult without another leg. It would be a really bad situation. I guess if it did happen, a doggie wheelchair would be the only option. Not a great option for big dogs at all.
2006-12-04 06:10:58 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They would perform surgery and your pup would have a VERY hard rehab..probably requiring a cart of some kind. You are smart to follow your vet's advice. Although a dog can tear and ACL just like human doing any activity, you would want to stay away from activities that would put him in a high percentage for the injury. I would also be giving your pup a glucosamine supplement daily to help the good remaining joints.
2006-12-04 05:26:06 · answer #2 · answered by rattgrrrl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your dog was to lose it's hind leg or use of it..the best option would be to buy it a doggie "wheelchair". YES they do exist and basically hold the hind end of the dog in a cart type device so it can still use it's front legs to get around. As long as you don't have stairs the dog could lead a relatively normal life once it gets used to the chair.
2006-12-04 05:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by smurf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Surgery could be done but the recovery would be very difficult. In two legged dogs they would stay off of the leg which had surgery for a while (because of the pain). This then causes them to loose the muscle mass in that leg. Once the joint is stable and the pain is down they will slowly regain movement and build up muscle. Your dog would have no choice but to use its painful leg. You would have to use a sling to support them, it would be hard but it could be done. It also slightly varies on which corrective surgery would be done, the traditional joint strenghtening or TPLO.
Try giving your dog glucosamine to avoid this.
2006-12-04 05:25:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋