Cruciate Ligament issue with my Westie - Advice Please

[westiesussex1]

Hi guys
New to this forum but need some advice please. My Westie has been limping a bit for a few weeks now, has good days and bad days, doesn't like to weight bear on his back leg when he's just got up but seems Ok once he's moving. Went to the Vet who was quick to diagnose cruciate ligament problem (not tear or rupture) and said he probably needs an operation. I keep reading online about how you can manage this condition prior to necessitating surgery so is there anyone who has any experience with this? He's pretty energetic, 7 years old and loves to jump and run, so he's being restricted with activities and kept on lead walks for the time being. Anti inflammatories have helped a bit. Be grateful for any suggestions, am worried he's in pain although he seems quite happy. Thanks

 

[Bruised]

I've had two dogs who have had cruciate ligament operations - one is recovering now. I'm not a vet but I think there is risk of even more damage if you delay the operation (I was told 6 weeks was the limit). Anti-inflamms will make your dog feel more sound than he really is so I'd advise continuing with no jumping/running, lead walks etc until the operation. I'd also make sure he's on a lead when he goes out for a wee. Good luck!

 

[ElectricChampagne]

My last dog had no prior issues with his cruciate and with absolutely no warning it actually snapped when he had a bout of the zoomies one day. Oh my word, the howls out of him...

I'd suggest not putting it off any longer than you need to. My fella had no movement in it at all and couldn't but any weight on it. It just hung there limply.. dangling in the wind.

He too was a very active dog and it killed him to not be able to run, so restricting him afterwards was nothing short of difficult. However with physio and swimming/water treadmills he was back on form in a few months after the op.

Just be mindful that he might take his chance to just go all out and like mine, have a serious bout of zoomies and damage himself. I think you'd know quite quickly if he was in pain, but as long as your monitor him and keep an eye on him it might prevent it.

Also maybe try find a doggy physio, I was lucky that nearish to where I live there was one who had set up doggy swimming pools and doggy water treadmills and she was able to work and treat him to help him keep the other one sound and re-coup the damaged one. The swimming was amazing for him.