Cruciate Ligament injury in Terrier Pup..

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Lulup

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My 6 month old Cairn x Border jumped off some straw bales and although he landed without a yelp or any noticeable problem he immediately held up a back leg as he continued to play. I rested him indoors for a few days and it improved but as soon as he had a run about outside he went back on to three legs so we took him to the vet who suspects a cruciate ligament injury.

He has been given a weeks worth of anti inflamms and I have been told to cage rest him for a month.

After 5 days he looks completely normal on his leg but personality wise he has changed altogether - I am concerned that a month of this will affect him severely - he was a very well behaved, lovely natured little dog who fitted perfectly into every aspect of my life, he loves people, horses, other dogs etc. He is now (understandably) completely uncontrollably hyper when he is out and thoroughly miserable/withdrawn/depressed the rest of the time. I know it is for his own good and I will follow it to the letter but I am just interested in anyone's experiences.

I am concerned that I may end up with a dog that is sound in body but neurotic/mad from having been confined for such a long time.

Am I worrying needlessly? comments?
 
My lurcher had this injury this time last year. Let out for her morning wee, ran down the garden with others and came back in on 3 legs! You really are best to try and rest as much as possible - I had a nightmare to begin with as she was a young rescue lurcher who suffered a little with SA and had to have her leg operated on twice. The vets will tell you rest is the most important thing and it really is - mine was only allowed out to toilet then rest again (she couldn't/wouldn't be crated). Eventually started walks after a few weeks but then only 5 mins at a time. My vet said with terriers they tend not to op on unless really need to - the resting allows the tissue to strengthen joint again. Mine is now fine, (SA gone) and only limps occassionally. She gets cod liver oil in her food and Mobile Bones Supplement (www.Pooch & Mutt.co.uk - same family as Blue Chip Stuff). Probably no help to you but is best for them to rest - I was on complete tender hooks first time she ran off lead! Good luck and get well soon.
 
My rotti is in for a cruciate op on friday and so is galupys dog, she has already has one done, but obs that then makes the other the weaker, so it's gone, she will be rested for 8 weeks, it's not a life time and the more strict the rest the better and more stable the recovery, this is anothe rreason I think it beneficial to crate train, then when your need to rest them, the restriction is not such an issue.
I would not let him him hoon for the sake of him looking sad to be honest, the healing of the leg is far more important for such a small time scale, instead get him some stimulating games/treats, a kong stuffed with different goodies, the games u can get where they have to work out how to get the treats out.
Im a mean mummy my rotti will have to put up and shut up, cos I want in in full working order so her life can go back to normal and she can hoon and play once again when healed.
 
CAYLA said:
My rotti is in for a cruciate op on friday and so is galupys dog, she has already has one done, but obs that then makes the other the weaker, so it's gone, she will be rested for 8 weeks, it's not a life time and the more strict the rest the better and more stable the recovery, this is anothe rreason I think it beneficial to crate train, then when your need to rest them, the restriction is not such an issue.
I would not let him him hoon for the sake of him looking sad to be honest, the healing of the leg is far more important for such a small time scale, instead get him some stimulating games/treats, a kong stuffed with different goodies, the games u can get where they have to work out how to get the treats out.
Im a mean mummy my rotti will have to put up and shut up, cos I want in in full working order so her life can go back to normal and she can hoon and play once again when healed.
Click to expand...

Yep, my dog (Willie) is in for the op on Friday as well having injured his a week or so before Christmas. He also had his other leg done two years ago. He is a bear to live with at times like this. He is ultra needy and clingy and when he is in pain, he is extremely grouchy. I can't say I'm looking forward to keeping him dead quiet for the next 8 weeks and carrying the big lug down the steps to do his business so many times a day, but like Cayla said it is worth it for him to heal properly and it really is no time at all. Rest assured too that he returned (and will return) to his normal self mood-wise last time as soon as he was able to start some longer rehab walks and life became more normal again.

Good luck with your little guy. It can't be fun with such a young dog.
 
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