Cuciate ligament damage

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lmholden

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Our rottie Buster had his cruciate liagament repaired 4 weeks ago. He seemed to be getting better - putting weight down on his foot again, when an infection set in. Antibiotics cleared it up and he was back on four feet again. However, last Thursday OH was upstairs and heard Boo yelp - upshot of this is he's back to toe-touching again. Vet has told us to keep up the medication but it is soooooo frustrating seeing him like this.

It is impossible to keep him quiet - he is not going to stay confined in a room and although a stair guard was a suggestion I would be frightened of him attempting to jump over it and do yet more damage.

Has anyone else out there had a big dog who has had this operation? I need some reassurance that he is eventually going to be able to run about after the children again!
 
I had two dogs who both tore their crutiate ligaments, one done it the year after the other, how unlucky was I. The dog found it very frustrating not being alound to do anything, the vet even advised me to carry him to the garden to wee, don't let him do a thing he told me. It was horrid but it worked and his recovery was, 7 wks, he died last year but he never developed any arthritis in old age he was very fit when he died. The bitch was a different story, 4 months it took her to return to normal, and she has been stiff ever since and now she is in old age she is very arthritic in that leg. But she didn't mind lack of excersise which was easier to cope with.
 
My Boxer, Billy (who passed on last December) had torn crutiate ligaments in both his rear legs.

In all he had 5 ops between the two legs.

As it is only 4 wks since your dog's op I wouldn't be too worried, but it is essential that you restrict his movement. I would suggest crating him when you are not around to supervise him, and at night.

My boy's best recovery was 3mths.

After these 5 ops you can imagine that he was never going to be 100% again in hsi rear end, but he lived a good life and a full life - running about and being a typical silly boxer.

I think arthritis did set in and I started him on a glucosamine supplement. Unfortunately he was pts before we had a chance to see if the supplement worked. Incidently, him being pts had nothing to do with his legs!

Good luck to your boy. If you take it easy with him for the next 4-6 mths he should make a very good recovery.
 
oddly enough mine did this twice a year apart,first one left knee when running across a field, the second, right knee went as he just turned round for something.
The left one took a lot of healing but the second we approached it differently. Two different vets treated the injury the first recommended six weeks rest with little exercise and the left knee took a long time to heal. Vet 2 recommended he get using the knee as much as possible from day two after the op and the right knee healed much better than the left. he also had a course of cortisone injections after the right knee injury and this too seemed to help with healing.
 
Thanks for all your replies. As crating Boo is not an option - we don't have one and I can see him getting very distressed if we did buy one for him, he can't bear to be separated from us - I think it's going to have to be using his knee as much as possible but within the confines of the house.

It's good to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's still quite a long way off.

I have been told by the vet that if one goes the opposite leg usually follows within two years, you get that repaired and their ok for a few more years until arthritis sets it! Maybe a good idea to start on some sort of supplement soon?

All this stress with Boo and we are looking to get a horse!
 
For arthritis I have used Metacam (prescribed by vet) and I also use Joint aid. My dog than done his cruciate first never had arthritis till the day he died, the bitch is still alive and very arthritic from her cruciate injury even with the metacam & joint aid but it helps a little, but she has arthritis in 2 other legs that have never been injured.
 
Boo is currently taking Metacam, which has been prescribed by the vet - I assume it is doing him some good.

I guess with the recovery it is the luck of the draw - hope Boo is one of the lucky ones who doesn't end up arthritic!

If using supplements do they have to be specifically for dogs or can they have ordinary glucosamine sulphate and cod liver oil? Is it a case of what's good for human joints works just as well for doggies?
 
My friend has a Rottie who has had this problem, she did one cruciate and then towards the end of the recovery the other one went. Both operated on and now 2 years down the line the dog is sound and leading an active life.
 
Thanks for that Ben_and_Jerrys.

Saw Joint Care + by Pedigree in Asda last night so have bought him a pack to see how he goes on - it contains Omega 3 and glucosamine, so hopefully it will speed up his recovery.
 
Took Boo for a 'proper' walk last night in the woods after nearly 5 weeks of house arrest. He was soooooo happy bouncing about like tigger and going down into play bows all the time. Felt a bit guilty about having to rein him in and put his lead on to stop him from getting totally over-excited.

When we stopped to enjoy the scenery you could see his senses going into overdrive, taking in all the wonderful sights and smells.

We weren't out for too long but I think it has done him the world of good and he isn't limping this morning after his outing which is brill!
 
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