Cruciate Ligaments

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rubyred

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Just back from the vets and I would appreciate your collective thoughts.
My terrier was not happy on Fri and Sat - not lame, eating and drinking normally but not his chirpy self. Sunday he seemed fine. (This may or may not be relevant)

This morning at 4am he woke me by screaming out. I found him hiding and left him to settle again as he seemed ok. I didn't drag him out and see him move. This morning he didn't want to use his left hind. He can weightbear but stays on the toe. He has been miserable all day in his bed clearly uncomfortable even when in bed. As I went back to my car from work this evening he swapped the leg he was carrying for about 10 yards which was very strange.

So I got to the vet this evening and she doesn't know what is wrong and could only find discomfort on extension of the stifle so prescribed rest and painkillers and see whether this improves.

Although I am quite happy with her examination, I much prefer a vet to admit they're not sure, and he is definitely more comfortable now I think he is/was in a lot of pain for a mild cruciate strain. He does a lot of tail between the legs and shaking at the vets but in all my previous experience he has been fairly brave about pain.

This is long and rambling (sorry) but I guess I really want to know how painful cruciate damage is as I can only go on my experiences of horse stifle damage and whether anyone has any alternative thoughts?
 
Oh dear! So could he have done this in the middle of the night? He is quiet at night, never wakes me unless ill. There were no incidences yesterday which would suggest such major damage. This is what is slightly confusing me and the vet.
I'm sure its not relevant but he does have a plate in that femur put in 4 years ago, no problems since and the break didn't go into either joint.
 
Ok so not high speed then. I suppose we'll just see how it goes over the next few days then. Now he's had painkillers he's gone out like a light.

Thanks for your help
 
I've had 2 dogs with the crutiate go, both staffies (I am a good owner really).

First dog, I saw it happen, she was running too hard, she was immediately lame, non weight bearing, took her straight to the vet, they x-rayed & saw the problem, her ligament had snapped/ruptured, operated & she was absolutely fine within a few weeks.

Second dog, he went lame, left hind, was carrying weight over to the right, just touching toe on the ground, don't know what he did, took him to vet, they couldn't really tell so I asked them to refer him to a specialist I'd taken him to see re something else. It was the crutiate but it hadn't gone completely like first dog, they operated in a totally different way to first dog, this took a lot longer getting over & if I'm totally honest, he's still not 100% sound.

If you're vet isn't sure then don't feel bad about asking to be referred to a specialist, I would be inclined to ask them to x-ray at least.

It's horrible & I do feel for you and to answer your original question I think it's very painful for them.
 
Thanks for the support.

They are a big practice so will have a specialist I think if ask, I know his femur operation was done by an orthapedic specialist. I have to ring them if he's not right in the next couple of days.

Does anyone have any tips for keeping them amused when on cage rest?
 
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