For dog owners that have, or have had, a dog with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage: What kind of treatment did you use? Did you opt for surgery, and which type of surgery? How long did the leg take to heal fully, and did your dog return to normal (no arthritis)? My great dane has a vet appointment on Tuesday for what obviously appears to be a stretched or torn ACL. I would just like some advice...
2007-08-03 09:50:25 · 7 answers · asked by Savage 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
my dog had that surgery about 3 weeks ago! i dont know what the surgery was called but we did the one with the longer recovery time! last week we took her to the vet to get the stiches out (even though she had alrede taken most out! lol!) and he said most dogs werent even putting wieght on it yet! She is still limping around. You have to do therepy daily! The First week Ice its leg, message it and do ROM about 4 times a day. 2nd week and until the vet tells u to stop Ice its leg, message it and do ROM about 2 times a day. You also have to go for daily walks and they suggest swimming too (but we dont take her swimming) She is doing great! it has rele made us closer because she depended on us more!!!
2007-08-05 05:02:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog tore her ACL 4 years ago and we opted for the TPLO surgery. 4 years later, you would never know anything was ever wrong. She runs around and never shows any sign of discomfort.
After the surgery it was very challenging bacause we had to keep her off of her knee for 2 weeks. She started to get depressed because we had to keep her crated all the time, and it was really stressful.
After the first 2 weeks, things got considerably better. We were able to take her out potty without having to hold her back end up, and she was actually able to walk around all she wanted, just no running or jumping for 6 more weeks.
All in all, I would say the surgery was a great experience and I would do it all over again. It was a sacrifice of time and money, but to me, there was no other option and now it is all worth it because she has done so well!!
Please feel free to email me if you have other questions. I am happy to help you.
2007-08-03 10:09:14 · answer #2 · answered by Shanna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With an ACL injury, the best surgical procedure is a TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy).
Not only does the dog heal well, usually 8 10 weeks, on leash (no running what so ever), but when it comes to arthritis, virtually none compared to the Standard ACL procedure.
Yes, the TPLO costs more, but the result are great. Your dog is also a large breed, this means that if you opt for the Standard ACL procedure, it may not last because of his weight, and if he is young he will definitely have arthritis. What procedure are you having done?
2007-08-03 10:07:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Been there, done that. Follow your vets instructions. Also, once you get the approval of the vet, get her swimming. Swimming is the very best exercise you can give her. Also, if she's a little on the heavy side, get the weight off of her. There is a 50% chance, the cruciate on the opposite leg can also tear from the extra weight the dog will be putting on it. You don't need a litter box. Most likely, the vet will want the dog walking on it right away. So you can take her outside to potty and bring her back in.
2016-05-17 10:22:22 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's just damaged, it may be possible to treat it with an anti-inflammatory like Rimadyl, although the problem is likely to crop up somewhere down the line again.
If the cruciate is completely ruptured then surgery is required to either repair or replace it, the latter being more expensive, although the leg heals quicker.
Ask your vet which option is appropriate for your dog, what they offer, and how successful this is likely to be for your particular dog.
Chalice
2007-08-03 09:57:25 · answer #5 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My g/f's Dutch Shepherd tore both hers a year apart and had surgery. I rehabbed the dog both times for about 6 weeks and she was fine after that. All older dogs, example- Danes at 5 yrs, Labs at 7 yrs and MinPins at 10 yrs or so should be on a joint supplement, IMHO.
2007-08-03 09:55:25 · answer #6 · answered by ginbark 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was lucky, my dog recovered with 4 weeks of strict crate rest and anti-inflammatories.
Some don't.
The surgery is quite expensive.
Until you get her to the vet on Tuesday, I suggest that you keep her on strict crate rest in order not to aggravate the injury and give it a chance to start healing. I know strict crate rest is a major stress for the dog and you, but it IS useful.
2007-08-03 10:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋