surgery for a dodgy knee (cruciate disease) - any experience

[KittyBeans72]

my 4 ish year old rescue is limping and x rays apparently say cruciate disease. we've got an appointment with the surgeon next week to discuss (let's assume for now that we'll go ahead with the surgery - which is by no means confirmed) but I'd love to know if anyone here has any experience of nursing a dog through this and has any pros/cons/advice. thank you.

[Bubble2bubble]

My boy has had both knees operated on over the last few months. The second op was just before Christmas so he is getting close to being allowed out again. He is also young, only just four and extremely fit and active. He ruptured his second cruciate six weeks after having the first one repaired. :( .They will tell you this is a distinct possibility and some vets will actually operate on both knees at the same time. Invariably both will rupture eventually.

There are various different procedures the surgeon will discuss with you. Ddog has had a procedure called a TTA twice,as he is a larger dog and it seemed to me to be the best chance of a good outcome long term. He has done amazingly well and to the untrained eye he looks completely normal already. It's lovely now to see him being able to sit and get up from a lying position really quite easily. He was weight bearing on the operated knee by the day after the op.

The recovery is tough as they are basically on crate rest/house rest for six weeks, but it's worth being incredibly careful at this stage. He has certainly been very sad at being contained, but on the other hand has adapted surprisingly well.

[KittyBeans72]

that's so helpful, thank you!

[Bubble2bubble]

Bumping this as there are a lot of people on here with cruciate dogs :)

[LaGattaNera]

my friend's Westie had surgery - not sure which type but is now fine - the hardest bit was the 6 weeks crate rest as she is a young lively thing but she was well within weeks. Good luck