cruciate ligament/meniscus tear
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cruciate ligament/meniscus tear
Submitted by admin on April 20, 2010 - 5:12pmHas anyone had any experience with a torn cruciate ligament or meniscus? My gunny-lou was "chasing" the water coming out of the hose last week. I noticed when he went to get out of his kiddie pool, he couldn't climb out of it, so I helped him out. By that evening, he would put NO weight on his back leg. The emergency vet thought he may have torn his cruciate ligament and possibly his meniscus? Saw my regular vet today and she thinks the same since his right knee is very "loose and crunchy". She has recommended we take him to another vet to do surgery [our vet is not equipped to do the meniscus surgery]. Being a big worry wart, I don't want to subject my baby to surgery if it isn't necessary, but.....she is saying without surgery he will develop arthritus later down the line. Of course, she did say even with the surgery, he will probably develop arthritus, probably not as bad though. If anyone out there has had this same problem, I would appreciate any insight or info that you could give me. Gunny-lou has been on rimadyl this past week, but she told us to stop giving it to him since she had to give him a shot today for severe itching [allergies] and also an antibiotic for an ear infection. My poor little guy is a real mess! Thanks for any info provided. Pat & gunny-lou
ACL
Just want to thank everybody who wrote with info on ACL. I appreciate all the input. Heard from my vet today....she called ahead to 2 dr's who can perform the surgery. We will be setting up an appointment tomorrow to go ahead with it asap. I'm praying all will go well. Will let you know how he makes out. Thanks again! pat & gunny-lou
Re: Torn ACL
Hi Pat and Gunny-Lou!
I haven't experienced anything like what you have with my bully, Grover, but I did have a lab who tore her ACL when she was 5 years old, romping in three feet of snow. (Don't you wish they could foresee injury when they get so excited about hoses and snow?!)
Anyway, the vet ended up suggesting they repair it. She could totally live with it the way it is... she was favoring it occasionally, but it appeared to be getting better. However, should the OTHER one decide to go someday, and she would be completely incapacitated.
She had the surgery and after a few months of recuperation in a big purple cast and lots of therapy, she was immediately back to her usual, rompy self. And she lived 10 MORE YEARS!!! =) She didn't love stairs as much though... ;)
*Definitely* glad we had the surgery... and I'm speaking as someone who's dreading sending my bully in for palate surgery next week!
Best of luck to you and Gunny! Hope I was helpful.
Julia & Grover
ACL
Hi,
I have not experienced this first hand but know someone who's bitch had both back legs go one at a time. Both legs had surgery. The dog was layed up and her show career on hold for a long time.
Since then she's had a litter of puppies and completed her championship. She has no limp or noticable scars.
I would suggest that Gunny have the surgery & following your vets advice about TOTAL bedrest for quite some time afteward.
Re: cruciate ligament/meniscus tear
hope all is well.
ACL
I would definately go for it. Our Cocker Spaniel had it when she was 6. She did great and lived until she was 13. She had horrendus arthritus but it was in her hips.
When my bully started limping I took him to my regular vet first because she is closer and she told me he had a torn ACL. I was prepared to give him the surgery because it extends the 'playful' life of the dog. Turns out he is going to have to have a different surgery but I want you to know that I would have done it in an instant after my cocker spaniels results.
Just be dilligent about following with physical therapy!
KB
TORN ACL
OUR 2 ROTTWEILERS BOTH HAD CRUCIATE SURGERY AND ALL WAS WELL. THE ONLY THING I SUGGEST IS TAKING CARE OF IT SOON. I WAITED AND ARTHRITIS SET IN, AFTER A BIT THE DOG WILL DEVELOP SCAR TISSUE AND A PAIN TOLERANCE I MISTOOK IT FOR HEALING SINCE THE LEG CAME DOWN AND LIMP WAS ALMOST GONE AND FROM WAITING THE DOGS SEVERED THE ACL ALTOGETHER. ALL IN ALL WE ENDED UP WITH 3 TORN ACLS AND MINISCUS REMOVAL.WE ARE IN NJ IF YOU ARE NEAR I WILL PASS OUR ORTHROPEDIC VETS NAME TO YOU. EMAIL ME IF YOU NEED IT.