Experiences of torn cruciate ligaments hind leg

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AGAGE

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In addition to Louis our cocker spaniel being hospitalised due to a reaction to his flea treatment the vet thinks he has partially torn his cruciate ligament on his right hind leg!

Louis is nearly 2 yo, he isn't worked, so it's not a huge problem in that respect.The vet said he couldn't be sure that was what was wrong, as he didn't x-ray, but said it's quiet a common injury and that it is likely that he will recover and then tear it again and repeat this process. The vet said they can operate to mend the ligament but he would probably get arthritis in that joint at some point.

Louis is on pain killers but is still very lame and is not asking to go for a walk, which in some respects is good, as he's not allowed to go for a walk, but I'm concerned that he obviously finds it a real discomfort as usually he goes nuts if he's not walked.

Has anyone on hear ever had a dog with damage to the cruciate ligament? How was your dog, was it permanently lame?

Have any of your dogs had the surgery?

I have my doubts about the success of surgery, as the same vets did a similar op on our cat and he has a permanent limp, and very odd gait as a result. If surgery is needed then we would obviously do it, but I worry they would make a hash of it.
 
A few dogs on here have had cruciate ops for rupture or tear, my rotti has had a rupture, she was operated on and her recovery period was around 6-8 weeks, I chose to rest her to the 8 weeks as I wanted the best possibly recovery, she is a large breed and I did not want to put her other leg under any undue strain.
She has recovered fab, no bouts of lameness, she hoons arounds as she did before the rupture, she swims alot and basically looks like there was never any injury and her other leg has (touch wood) never suffered.
Ps it is pretty common, esp in bouncy or weight bearing bulky breeds that bounce:D:D
 
One of our dogs, a 4 year old Collie, was lame and the vet diagnosed a torn Cruciate ligament. The vet did not recommend surgery as it could cause problems long term as you said. Our dog went on Metacam for a week, two weeks with no walking, and then as she was not lame, I was able to start walking her on a flexi lead, and gradually build up the exercise. However, as soon as she started doing any twists and turns when running, she has come lame again, so I am back to walks on the flexi lead, or running her gently off the bike. I think she will now always have a weakness there, and to avoid surgery, I will just have to try to stop her twisting and turning - so no chasing after a ball or any rabbits!

Good luck with your dog. :)
 
Ps, if your dog is insured then choose a vet with a good rep who is renound for this procedure, my vet was/is a fab surgical vet, she has jsut wired my whippets jaw up and made an excellent job of a wonky mess:D
 
He is insured, so if surgery is needed I think I will need to find a vet at the practice who's experienced in that particular op, as I don't have a huge amount of faith given what happened to our cat, although I guess the op must be a bit harder in cats due them being much smaller.

I'm not sure how he'd cope wit the long recovery, that would be really hard, as he couldn't cope with 10 days walk free after he was castrated, let alone 6-8 weeks! Still if it means it might sort the leg then he'll have to learn to live without walks for a few weeks.
 
I am on week 2 of my 3rd cruciate surgery!! My dog rott has had both of his done and now his sister had had her right hind done. It is tough to keep them quiet but the results are well worth it imo. Dex is completely sound and can do whatever he wants pain free. Ditto what Cayla said about a good surgeon. My vet referred me to a specialist who is amazing both surgically and with the dogs themselves. Expensive though, Sages was just short of 3 grand and we still have x-rays to do. Insurance is a must for my dogs.
 
My rotti has had both cruciates repaired (wire fix rather than TPLO) one of them twice. I was told that because of his size and the fact that he is very, very active/certifiable lunatic that there was no point trying to rest him and hope that they would heal....an op was the only option. He was referred to the RVC in Potters Bar at my request.

We think he damaged both at the same time as he was hardly visibly lame, more a shortness of stride and the damage only showed up on xrays.

First op wasn't a success - he jumped a baby gate on his first day home:eek:so 3 months later the original op was redone at the same time as his other leg. He recovered very well, in fact he thought he was fixed long before he was allowed to exercise. TBH, the recovery period was very hard work. That was 3 years ago.

Hydrotherapy has really helped him (he also had problems with his elbows last year) and with an intensive 3 times a week swimming programme to start, dropping down to once weekly - he is now 100% sound, muscled correctly and no sign of arthritis aged 6 *fingers crossed*

IMHO, as your dog is so young I would look into having the surgery. Also be aware that I was told that there was a 75% chance of the other cruciate going once it has ruptured in one leg.
 
I've had both back legs done twice on my dog.

He's 8 years old now and no signs of any other problems with his legs.

I would have the surgery otherwise you are probebly looking at a lifetime of on and off lameness on that leg.
 
Seems like torn cruciates are the most common rottie problem by a long way. If you are in the South East..then Gary Clayton Jones in Tenterden is the very very best.
 
our Doberman has done both cruciate ligaments (about 2 years apart) and has the TPLO surgery on both legs.

yes, it is major surgery with a long recovery but if left you have a dog with on and off lameness for the rest of it's life.

Daisy went to a specialist referral centre to have both done, recovered extremely well and has not had any issues since (touch wood frantically!).

it is common apparently in bigger dogs (Daisy is huge, much bigger than most Dobes- weighs 47kg) and she was trying to keep up with our German Pointer on walks which she isn't really designed for.
 
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