vetrinarian or dog question
 

My ten yr old mix that looks alot like a dingo might have a torn ligament in her knee. I took her out in the woods on Wed. for a run. She chased someting and came back limping badly. I'd hoped the injury would heal a bit over the week end. It seemed to have gotten a little better, but not much. So, last night I took her to the animal hospital. The sedated and X-rayed her. All thew while I was thinking that maybe she might have hip dysplsia. However the X-rays showed her hips to be fine and the vet had suspected a torn ligament in her leg. BTW, it cost me $480.

The leg seems a little better today and I'm hoping that the knee doesn't need an operation. If it's only a partial tare, could the knee eventually heal w/ out an operation? She will see a specialist at the beginning of the week.

Gary

Sorry to hear about your pup, we just went through the same thing.

The vet clinic we used to go to (shots, etc.) first diagnosed our dogs issue as a torn 'acl' in the knee. Did surgery and came back saying that the knee was healthy and suggested we cast the leg for a while and see. Took the cast off and things had not changed. then they suggested we go to vet clinic number two (our new and forever vet) saying that he was more used to large farm animals and cats... That one burned me some...

The second vet was miffed and x-rays were very difficult to read (former Navy Corpsman here so not dumb to some of these issues) because of terrible swelling. Long story short: Trey had broken the end of his 'tibia' off!!!! And since he was mis-diagnosed the first time, the bone ends healed separately and were grinding on each other when Trey tried to use it (ouch!!!).

Well, two pins, wire, and 2 grand later he still has not used the leg although he is not in pain anymore unless he uses or bumps the ankle. It's been 6 weeks since the last surgery and the last step may be to either leave as is or amputate to prevent further pain (if the ankle does not get any better and still causes pain).

Moral of my story? Find a very good vet, develop a relationship with them, and educate yourself and ask a lot of questions.

Hope things work out for you and your pup. We love our dog and do not regret spending the money at all... Just wish we'd have pushed a little harder in the beginning...

Eric

I just showed this to my wife (a vet) and she said that if it is a tear, even partial, it will not heal on it's own.

Sorry to hear and hope it turns out to be something minor.

I had an 85lb Rottie that was all go. She ended up tearing up both knees. The first injury came at a bad time financially, and I was given a $1500 estimate for the surgical repair. I explained that I couldn't afford that, and a vet told me that the dog's body would produce scar tissue to stabilize the joint. I went with that option, and indeed the joint became stable and usable. The other knee then was injured and I went with surgery. The end result was more arthritice and a noticably larger knee on the side that did not receive surgery. But the allowed to heal side ended up being very functional and rarely slowed her down.

Thanks for the replies, she seems to be a little better today and using the leg a little. Also, there hasn't been any swelling and the vet called me last night and thinks I should wait a few more days before seeing a surgeon. The X-rays weren't able to show any lig. damage.

I've also been limping for the past week. My doctor told me that I have burcitious(sp) in my knee that I'd injured playing football a long time ago. So, we're both limping and hoping to get better.

Thanks for the replies.

Gary

Gary,

Had knee surgery done on my Mastiff, both knees. If your dog tore one acl there is a high probability she will tear the other.

This type of injury in a dog has to do with the angle of the joint and is actually predictable.

At 10 years old I'd think she is not predisposed to the injury and just had some bad luck.

The surgery that they will suggest is a TPLO, worked great on my dog. The recovery takes a while, 6 months although they are up and around sooner, this is not an easy surgery.

My dog tore hers at 4 and 5 years old. Knowing what I know about the surgery I would not have done it if she was close to the end of her lifespan.

Your dog sounds like a medium sized dog and is a mix. Will probably live another 5 years at least. I'd do the surgery. If she were 12, I might not.

Good luck, hope your friend gets better.

Scott

Thanks for all the advise. My dog Kelly had her knee surgury today and the vet called and said she is doing fine. I will be able to pick her up tomarrow morning at 8:30.

Gary

A torn ligament or busted ACL? My Airedale blew both the ACL's on his knees. They did TPLO (tibial plateau leveling basically reengineering his knees) surgery on them both and he can walk. He's been on those knees now for 8 years. Other than a bit bow legged he's about 80% of original. WARNING >>>not cheap surgery.

Hi Targa 911s,

Good to hear your dog is doing well. My dog is 10 yrs old and I desided on the more simple surgury. They use basically use 80# fish line to hold the joint together. i chose this method because I was told that she'd be 75% after a month. If she was younger I would have had the vet do the surgury your dog had.

Gary

Glad to hear you could do that. Henry is a BIG boy at 105 lbs. so that method was not an option for him. It would not hold. He also was young, only 2, so we went with the method that would give us the most mileage.
I hope your pup is well and on the road to recovery soon. Henry sends his best.

Re: vetrinarian or dog question
 

That's actually pretty common in dogs over age 5. There are anti-inflamatory drugs to help out, Rimidyl is what my dog gets. One tab in the morning, half at night.

Had my dog on Rimadyl. Only gave it when she really needed it.

Do a search, some scary *****.

My 9 year old German Wirehair gets one tab in the morning, half a tab in the evening.

be careful with Rymadyl......do a web search very scarey stuff.

So how's the pup today?

Totally correct...get this surgery done or the leg will not ever be normal and arthritis will make him worse over time...if it heals at all.

Kelly is doing great. She has so much energy for a 10yr. old dog that my only concerne is that she might reinjury the leg if a squirrel or deer crosses our path as I'm walking her. That may be a callenge. She will be on a leash atleast until spring.

Gary

Most likely she is shifting her weight to the other leg. Be careful she doesn't bust the other one now. Do you have to do the "towel walk"?

Hi Targa,

Not sure what the towel walk is. I'm going to keep her on her leash for her own good atleast as long as the Vet. recomends. She's getting better ea. day. However, I have bursitis in my right knee from all the extra running I've been doing because of the really nice, mild winter we've been having in Iowa and she is walking better than me.

Gary

Towel walking is when you put a bath towel as a sling around the abdomen. You hold ithem up to take the pressure off the rear legs. Glad to hear the pup is doing well.