After 5 weeks of surgery on a torn ACL and patella luxation on her left knee, my chihuahua is still favoring the good leg over the repaired one. The vet said that the healing and the surgery is good and the dog just needs to re-learn walking on all fours. During a slow walk, she uses all four but when we pick up speed she reverts to three legs. When I tug on the leash for some resistance, she puts down the repaired leg and walks on four. When she gets excited, she has all legs on the ground. Then, she remembers her injury and lifts the bad leg again. I have to admit that over 5 weeks, she has used the repaired leg more and more, and so maybe she is just a couple more weeks away from complete recovery. However, I still would like to help this process along. Any ideas as to how a dog can get over this
hangup?
2006-12-19 06:21:17 · 6 answers · asked by anteodoro3 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Hmm...I have not heard of this much in Chi's. My Rottweiler just had the cruciate surgery as well, though your dog has not had as much healing time, as mine is at 11 weeks now. You will not have to do anything, she will start using it more when she is comfortable. My Rott is using hers about 90% of the time now. She only holds her leg up if she has had a long day. I am just starting to take her to work with me again, so she is still working up to these 8 hour days. My biggest concern right now is the other leg, with so much accommodating for the repaired leg between the time of her injury and surgery recuperation.
I believe a little bit of this is indeed psychological, as you say when she remembers her injury, she will favor the leg again. Just like us, dogs have an instinct to pull an injured area closer to the body. My dog did this also. This is something that she will stop doing as her pain decreases and she will just get out of the habit.
Its just too soon to expect her to be on all fours after surgery. Give it two or three more months and if she is not using it the majority of the time, its time for a recheck from the vet. Don't push her, she'll be fine.
It takes a very dedicated dog owner to commit to the care and expense of a surgery like this. I commend you and hope your little girl does great. I know she will be more comfortable when healed than she was before surgery, and she will thank you for it! Good luck!!
2006-12-19 07:21:10 · answer #1 · answered by reblcwgrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently had a foster dog that had been hit by a car and had a broken hip repaired on her right rear. She didn't use her right rear leg for the first month we fostered her. Then eventually she started using it a little more every day. Your dog will use her leg again on her own as soon as she feels comfortable. I am sure that when she reverts back to three legs it is due to discomfort from the injury. Dogs don't act, they react to truth. Don't rush her, it's only been 5 weeks. Just let her recover on her own.
2006-12-19 14:31:26 · answer #2 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just takes time. She is used to favoring that leg due to the injury. Any animal, including humans, do this sort of thing. She'll learn on her own that it is a good leg again.
2006-12-19 14:31:54 · answer #3 · answered by Yoyo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just takes time. Her leg has hurt for so long she's just developed the habit of not using it. She'll get used to it.
You're so kind to want to help her along, though.
2006-12-19 14:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by Emmy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a comfortable but restrictive harness over the good leg and the same way myopia is treated the other leg, provided it is in seaworthy shape, has no option but to be used. This of course with strict observation and short sessions initially should get her back to the fast track....
2006-12-19 14:29:14 · answer #5 · answered by EMT-P T.Hale 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
dont worry time will cure ur problem dont jump,take care ur pet ok
2006-12-19 14:29:47 · answer #6 · answered by ganesh n 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋