I think Rosie did it this time :( torn ACL
Submitted by RosieBeGood on July 1, 2010 - 8:19amWell I think she really did it this time :( We have had issues in the past with small injuries here and there with her hind legs but with rest she was back to normal within a week..It's been atleast 6-7 weeks that she has had a limp...she doesn't limp everyday but most days she does..AND then last night boom...she really hurt it she wouldnt put barely any weight on her right hind and if she did she just put her tip toe on the ground...we took her to the vet about a month ago and the Dr. couldn't see anything to concern her and if we wanted xrays we had to make another appt and leave her there for the day? I never had to do that before and that wasn't an option at the time due to me just having a baby and my husband working 60 plus hrs a week. We have an appt on Monday for the chiro to see what can be done with that!
here are my concerns if she did tear her ACL
She will be 7 this year so isn't a young pup anymore
she will re injure it or blow out her other leg (she has limped on that one a few times as well)
taking care of her and a newborn if she needs surgery I'm not sure if I can do that???
finding a good vet (ortho) to do the surgery..we would have to travel to do this
her recovery time and pain-the leg she injured she had a toe amputated a efw years ago due to a MCT
unfortunately with this injury we haven't been exercising her at all and she has gained weight so i cut her food back more :( I feel like i'm barely giving her anything to eat we do give green beans though
Can anyone give me their experiance with surgery for ACL and was it worth it..what about with a dog Rosie's age?
Thanks for your help
Danielle & Rosie
Poor Rosie =(
Onslow (partially) tore his the year before last but we were able to rest him and not do surgery. I know that he has arthritis in the leg since then, but after the rest, he could still walk run and jump on it with no problems so I (and my vet) couldn't see doing surgery until it was fully torn. We rested him for 2 months.
My vet did the drawer test on him she said that a tear wouldn't necessarily show on an x-ray.
http://dogkneeinjury.com/drawer-sign-test-and-tibial-compression-exam/
Don't really have advice one way or another just thought I'd share our experience. If she's not putting weight on it at all it could be fully torn in which case would warrant surgery (I would think.) You don't want her unable to walk or in exteme pain at age 7. =( The vet should be able to tell you how badly torn it is............
Do you have her on glucosamine/chondroiten?
Also
the miniscus is a concern.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~tiggerpoz/id16.html
i do have her on
glucose/chond. for about 3 years now from the first time where we thought she had a partial tear in it.....this mroning she is putting weight on it but she is still not the best! I really miss my old vet since moving...it seems the vets around here just aren't what I want for her and it's so hard! i've been to 3 different offices since moving here.
I will take a look at those links you sent me! thank you fo ryour help!
Danielle & Rosie
Sorry to hear..there is hope
The vet should not have to do an xray, they need to do a drawer test to see if the knee is unstable. Xray will not help with ligament. Lola had her CCL repaired in Nov and she is pain free. I got TPLO which is more expensive and require a plate but LOla is ver hyper and was only 2.5. If your bully is fairly inactive you may be able to go with a traditional or tight rope method. Fishing line can be used as the ligament. There is a great group of experiences people on ortho dogs yahoo group that helped me out soo much.. Surgery was the hardest decison I made but it was a must for Lola.. every dog is diffrent but I would recomend another opionion. Seems like the xray was a way to get more money from you.
Dave is that you?
Not familiar with the new login names but if it's you I'm so glad to hear that Lola's doing well with her leg. I know you were very concerned about it. Glad to hear. =)
My Experience
The ligament is actually the CCL or Cranial Cruciate ligament. Here is just 1 article I found with a quick google search. There are even videos of the surgery, so you might want to do a search yourself.
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/ccl/index.shtml
I've had 2 of these surgeries done on 2 different bulldogs. Norbert at age 7 and Cleo at 1 year. Norbert also had a ruptured meniscus. Norbert was 11 1/2 when he passed and the surgery was definitely necessary for him to endure a healthier life. He did have some arthritis, but was only on an aspirin a day up until he passed. I don't think he was ever 100% after the surgery but he was always able to get around well and on and off the couch up to the day he passed, so probably 97%.
Cleo had an injury from being her typical wild women self and came through the surgery with flying colors. After 6 months she was back winning in the ring and to this day (she is 5 now) that knee is very very strong. My vet video taped her surgery so I was able to watch and see the tear, which was almost complete. Just a tiny thread still holding.
Both had the original method with the string or band, I don't think most bulldogs need the TPLO surgery and it was not recommended by either the ortho specialist or my vet who is highly ortho trained and specializes in that area.
Best of luck. You can email privately if you have more questions. I'm glad to help if I can, or ease your mind.