Cruciate ligament

[Flowerofthefen]

Our gundog is still sore on her back leg. I'm convinced it's her paw. She is much better in the house that outside on gravel and isn't too bad on grass. Obviously she is being restricted to toilet only, no walks. OH has spoken to his mate this morning who said it vould be cruciate ligament. She is fine getting on and off the settee etc. When my jrt did hers years ago she couldn't put weight on it and was very very sore. His mate said bruising, which I think she has done to her paw, would be fine by now but that's not my experience of bruising. In my experience bruising can take a dairy while. Will probably see if we can get her into the vets this week. She is very slightly lame.

 

[twiggy2]

If you suspect cruciate then the sooner treatment starts the better yhe outcome can be, anti inflammatories can play a big part in a more successful outcome too.
It's easy diagnosed by a vet.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

If you suspect cruciate then the sooner treatment starts the better yhe outcome can be, anti inflammatories can play a big part in a more successful outcome too.
It's easy diagnosed by a vet.

I don't think it is. We have found a really sore patch on her paw, it's just OH mate has got him thinking.

 

[fiwen30]

Some dogs with ruptured cruciates will still weight bear a little, and might display a variety of limping.

I agree that it’s better to get diagnosis and surgery asap with a cruciate. It’s great to limit her to toileting only, no running, and no sofa jumping. Diagnosis is a vet doing a simple manipulation of the joint.

 

[AmyMay]

Better to get it confirmed either way by your vet.

 

[Bellasophia]

ive encountered ruptured cruciate with my dogue de Bordeaux..now passed.
Initially a torn ligament will result in the dog showing sensitivity to put the foot square to the floor.
rest-and limited walking..anti inflammatory ,may get you some relief..

A full rupture will see the dog on three legs..you need surgery at this point.

I repaired a rupture at one year..all went well for two more years and once again the dog carried her leg.( we were in USA at this point)
we flew the dog from usa to italy for her second surgery
it went badly,they sent the dog home post surgery.,thesameday…new yrs eve…. and the dog died the following morning..in. My house..on my lounge floor…not acceptable.

So…
on the .first time vet visit ..pin him down..you want this fixed..full care plan..and follow it to the letter.
good luck..

 

[Bellasophia]

Better to get it confirmed either way by your vet.

The vet will manipulate the leg to see if there is a “ slide and drawer” movement…if not …….not good news.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Walking about you wouldn't know anything was wrong. It's when she trots and its only very slight.

 

[Bellasophia]

Did you read my post.?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Did you read my post.?

Yes I did, I havnt had chance to reply. So sorry to hear about your dog. Devastating.
My jrt had surgery on one ligament which fortunately healed well 2 years later her other one went. Vet said strict rest would have the same outcome as surgery so we opted for that as she hated being away from us. It healed well again and neither gave her any bother again. She was a tiny jrt though.

 

[Bellasophia]

Hi..don’t worry it was years ago..time passed.
Your jrt would have been taking the weight for the failing ,compromised leg…it is common that the other leg will suffer down the line…not yr fault.Also this is often genetic.
The smaller / lighter the dog the better the outcome.

For now I’d walk her,not trot.and follow through with a certified ortho vet visit…it will save you a lot of heartache ahead.

 

[Red-1]

I had a GSD that did this, simply stepping down a small step on the yard. He screeched and yelled, was on 3 legs and looked as if he were dying. The vet said it was a torn cruciate and, as he was enormous, it wouldn't heal.

He had an operation booked in, to my dismay, as he'd already had keyhole surgery on an elbow after he slipped in the rain. But... before the operation came, he was looking so much better that we decided to use rest and very controlled walking. It healed up beautifully and was never a problem again. He was a huuuuge specimen, I mean height and bone, not overweight. Tallest GSD I ever did see, which would have counted against him.

After his two ills, once he matured out, he never had another issue until he had a stroke as an old man and that was the end. But, healthy from 2 yrs to the day he died.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think you are probably right and it's a sore paw but I would want a vet to check just incase it's the CL.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I think you are probably right and it's a sore paw but I would want a vet to check just incase it's the CL.

Yes we are going to take to vet to rule CL out (hopefully) Next is trying to get an appointment!!

 

[PoniesRock]

When our Jack Russell did her CL she was totally none weighbearing. Hind leg carried in the air. There was no slight limp it was clear as day - 3 legs.

 

[Clodagh]

I’m constantly suspecting CL and so far, thankfully, it’s always been a sore paw.
Lameness from top or bottom is hard to differentiate, as in horses. But when I suspect CL I treat as such until I’ve found the injury, so rest and NSAIDS.

ETA if you found a sore patch my money is on that, try booting and see if it helps.