Cruciate Ligament Damage

[Floralnomad]

My mums overweight 10 yr old border X JRT has damaged his cruciate ligaments on his right rear leg .He had X-rays yesterday and didnt cope well with the anaesthetic but seems brighter today . He's now on cage rest and a strict weight loss programme ! The crate has come as a bit of a shock as he doesn't normally have one and he's in but his sister is out . She's joining the diet ,although she's not as fat as him anyway . Just wanted to ask if anyone has any experience on how successful it is just treating with rest .

In a hurry but briefly, in a small dog such as your mum's, rest is often adequate. It will have to be strict, accompanied by pain relief, and with a careful return to exercise. Physio may be useful, as might hydrotherapy (preferably an underwater treadmill rather than free swimming) but most important in small dogs is lead walking while they return to exercise, not free off-lead running.

He's got metacam to take ,he has to see the vet again in 2 weeks if he doesn't get worse so I will ask then about hydrotherapy . He's quite small and could probably paddle in the bath !