Possible Torn ACL

Submitted by karenr65 on April 13, 2011 - 11:20am

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Hi Everyone

My guy Winston - who will be 10 in August - has been having issues on and off with his one leg. About 2 months ago, he jumped off the stairs wrong and developed a limp on his one back leg - would put very little weight on it. Gave him asprin and within a few days he was pretty much back to himself. Yesterday, at my parents he was running and playing as much as a 10 year old can. II took him out for potty at night and from the time we were out to him coming upstairs, it seemed like something happened. (I did not see as my back was to him) He was not yelping in pain but was up most of the night panting. This morning he had a little difficulty getting up but went down the stair "ok" and outside for potty. Made up the stairs slow and then seemed to walking ok on it. I called my vet and he referred me to specialists that he deals with. I am going to watch him for a few days, get a harness to help him down the stairs (my boyfriend carries him up and down when he is there and Winston is a big boy - about 79lbs). So my main question is - how do you feel about an almost 10 year old having surgery? I am hoping that the Dr.'s give me other options but I want to prepare for the worst. Any thoughts would help. Thanks - Karen

ps - I know 79 is big but when I got him my vet said he would be in the 70's - trying to get that number lower

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Karen and Winston

Hi there

Submitted by onslowsmom on April 13, 2011 - 11:37am.

I was able to rest my boy (3 months) and heal a partially torn ligament. We had a thread about it the other day, you will see when you read the responses that a lot of us have been able to avoid surgery. At 10 I hope your boy can too but it really depends on the severity of the tear.

http://www.bulldogsworld.com/f/general-bulldog-forum/keep-zapper-your-thoughts-please

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Thanks for the reply...new news

Submitted by karenr65 on April 13, 2011 - 3:37pm.

My father just came home from going to see Winston (didn't want to take him to my parents as I wanted to avoid stairs and I can't lift him). Anyway, my father was touching his leg when all of sudden he touched his toe and he yelped. Maybe there is something in there?

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Karen and Winston

Yup check out his toes and pawpads really good

Submitted by onslowsmom on April 13, 2011 - 3:47pm.

Could be a splinter/split or even a broken toenail. I found one of Onslows toenails this past weekend that was ripped clean off but it must be old because hes not missing any. hmmmmm. Hope you figure it out

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I would definitely look for a torn toenail or similar...

Submitted by AmyandSophia on April 13, 2011 - 4:23pm.

And see if there is anything there. Maybe a bug bite or bee sting on a pad? Anyway, don't rush into surgery ever. If it is an ACL issue, rest can make all teh difference. I would not probably have surgery on anything but a completely ruptured ACL at the age of 10.

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Amy and Sophia

Would he be able to walk at

Submitted by karenr65 on April 13, 2011 - 4:29pm.

Would he be able to walk at all if it were completely ruptured? Would he be crying in pain - I know bulldogs are tough and sometimes can hind their pain well. Last night, he seemed to be a little distressed as he was just panting. I just got off the phone with my vet and he said that it definately could be something in his paw but he is suprised that he is not licking it. I told him that he is a little on the chubby side and it is hard to reach :) We are working on the chubby part.....

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Karen and Winston

Onslow

Submitted by onslowsmom on April 13, 2011 - 4:33pm.

cried the first day (talk about breaking your heart, gah) and wouldn't put full weight on his, and his was partial...............

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The vet

Submitted by onslowsmom on April 13, 2011 - 4:35pm.

should be able to tell somewhat with the drawer test.

http://dogkneeinjury.com/drawer-sign-test-and-tibial-compression-exam/

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Ruptured completely is pretty darned painful.

Submitted by AmyandSophia on April 13, 2011 - 4:51pm.

My Doberman could barely walk at all on hers when she had a partial tear, I can't imagine her being able to walk on a full tear. Hers wound up being surgical, but not all of them are.

I would seriously check the pad and toenails. If it is a torn nail broken toe, then he would NOT be licking it because of the pain that would cause..

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Amy and Sophia

Not Always Pain

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on April 13, 2011 - 8:17pm.

Cleos CCL was almost a complete tear and she barely limped, infact after a couple of days the normal person would have no idea there was any limp at all. I took 1 month before I decided on surgery for her, so the swelling could go down. She had a tiny thread (like a sewing thread) left of her CCL and I know because I saw it. My vet video taped the surgery.

Norbert had a ruptured meniscus along with his CCL tear, which was a complete tear. The first day he had pain, because he rolled over and cried when his leg moved. He had surgery about 2 weeks after the injury and was not even limping. His knee clicked with the ruptured meniscus, but he had no pain.

So it effects every dog differently.

Yes ... He could walk with a complete

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on April 13, 2011 - 8:30pm.

tear. The muscle around the knee and ligament would allow him to walk and he might not experience any pain. The pain typically comes from the joint rubbing, bone on bone, especially if the meniscus is ruptured.

Sounds like the good news is he maybe has something in his pad or toe. Bulldogs can rarely reach their hind feet to lick paws. So even if he is a little chubby even the lean ones still have trouble with that.

Lets hope the toe is the problem. :)

At age 10

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on April 13, 2011 - 8:26pm.

I would probably not consider surgery. I would crate rest him and continue some kind of pain controlling medication. My Norbert managed with an aspirin 2x daily from age 7 until he passed at 11 1/2 after a CCL surgery. Sometimes I used some Rimadyl but mostly controlled with aspirin. He was already arthritic at 7 before the surgery and he had a ruptured meniscus which can not be repaired and that is primarily what would cause and discomfort.

The stairs, his weight and any jumping is of primary concern and you already know is controllable. Try using a sling under his middle to help him up and down the stairs without having to carry him. If you can avoid stairs all together that is best.

Norbert injured his knee running down 3 steps off or porch. Typically when they have a knee injury at an old age it has to do with degenerative issues.

Best of Luck! Whatever you decide I know you will make the best choice for him and his quality of life.

Thank you all so much!

Submitted by karenr65 on April 14, 2011 - 8:19am.

I am going to avoid surgery - he had a little difficulty getting up yesterday but once he did he was fine. I am keeping him on the first floor of the condo and when he has to go out or go to bed, my boyfriend carries him up and down (nice work out with a 79 lb puppy :) He is happy so I am just going to watch him. Does anyone know where I can get a sling? The Pet Goods and Petco by me does not carry them. Is there an on-line source? Thanks again for all your responses!

Karen and Winston

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Karen and Winston

Try using a towell

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on April 14, 2011 - 10:47am.

or even a small sheet.