Not the end to the season I wanted

druid

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Our last shoot day was on Tuesday, working two dogs for the day. Sent the old boy for a retrieve in the third drive and knew something was wrong as soon as he reappeared. Looks like he has a partial tear of his right CCL after an ortho consult 😭 He was initally toe touching lame but with rest/ice/NSAIDs he was only 1-2/5 lame within 48h. Surgeon opted not to go straight for surgery as his joint is stable (no cranial drawer or tibial thrust), there is very mild joint effusion, he's very fit and only 17kg. So here we are heading into a long conservative management plan of physio, laser, hydrotherapy, accupuncture and crate/kennel rest.

There is a tiny bit of hope that it isn't the CCL prer the surgeon if he improves more quickly than we expect it may be "just" a torn or strained muscle but I'm not holding my breath. As shallow as it sounds I'm gutted he will miss Crufts, he adores his day out and starts squealing with excitement when he hears that familiar noise of driving up the metal ramp on to the ferry every year.
 
Oh no I’m so sorry to hear that, what a cr💩p way to finish the season and for the poor lad to miss his trip to crufts too.

I’ve got everything crossed that he copes well with rest and his therapies and that he makes a good, solid recovery 🤞🏻
 
Without being overly optimistic, per the surgeon's request I trotted him up this morning for a video to send on....and he's pretty much sound 🥳 He is still on NSAIDs so not getting too hopeful but from toe dragging last Tuesday it's a big improvement.

I have thrown everything at him, he's on hydrotherapy 3 times a week, 6-8 x 5min leash walks a day, physio, aquapuncture, laser plus kennel rest so hopefully he will continue in the same trajectory and maybe he will even be getting on the ferry in 3 weeks 🤞
 
A cautiously optimistic Yay! Fingers crossed for that his recovery continues straight upwards and onward, without any bumps on the road. 🤞{{{{{{Vibes}}}}}}
If he still doesn't heal in time for the "Crufts" ferry, you will at least know that you really did do everything in your power to try to fix him as fast as possible.
 
Fingers crossed for you @druid . My curly coat had a partial tear, no draw or anything, but we did eventually have to go for TPLO surgery last Wednesday after 8 weeks of trying to heal through lead exercise etc. However, she is a big (37kg) dog and the chance of recovering without surgery was apparently zero but I understand there is more hope for smaller dogs so you may be lucky. I hope so as the rehab is long and time consuming - fortunately I am retired so I have plenty of time.

We are both now stir crazy after a week of lock down 🤪
 
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