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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Ruptured cruciate

17 replies

petitdonkey · 17/02/2021 11:43

Hi all, just wanted to ask for some advice or experiences. DDog has on/off been limping then last week was in pain so I took him to the vets. They X-rayed him on Monday which they said shows sign of a ruptured cruciate ligament and arthritis in his hips. I am due to see a surgeon on Friday to consult whether or not to have surgery (they initially wanted to book him straight in but I want to talk it over properly)

it was really difficult when the vet phoned me- obviously there’s no face to face because of covid snd she has a really strong accent to understand over the phone. I asked what she would do if it were her dog and she didn’t really answer.

My concern is that the op will be very invasive and hard to recover from snd the hip problem will remain.. I am wondering if it might be better to keep him long term in pain medication and see a chronic pain doevuslist (there is a Vet locally that does acupuncture etc)

Does anyone have any experience they can share? I’m just not sure I should rush him to surgery... he’s 9, a lab cross and isn’t showing any pain since he’s been on medication (although I haven’t been walking him)

Thanks in advance

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PollyRoulson · 17/02/2021 13:10

In my non medical experience large dogs do not get better from a total cruciate tear without surgery.

My experience of cruciate surgery was with at the time an 8 year old. He is now 16 with no issues from his cruciate. Other bits are falling off but not his cruciate!

The surgery and rehab does sound hard work but the time goes and your dog should be back to doing pretty much what they did before if there are no other issues to cause the cruciate. Mine was off colour for a few days probably and then happy although on crate rest for a further 6 weeks. This for us did not mean being in a crate all the time just when not supervised. He was fine to lie on a mat in the room with us as long as he was not moving around a lot. TBH I think he loved this time, loads of treats, bones and being spoilt rotten and taken for car rides to ease the boredom. We also had a buggy and took him on buggy rides towards the end of the 6 weeks . He was able to walk on all four legs immediatley after surgery and even stood on his operated leg to cock his leg on the day after surgery.

Obviously the specialist will look at your individual case and see the extent of the tear and how advanced the arthritis is. Also worth looking at his other hip and see if there are issues there. If there is an injury on one side it will put extra pressure on the other side.

You would also have to weigh up if lack of walking is something your dog would be happy with if that is the alternative. I am only do surgery if necessary camp but for us this surgery was necessary and has meant life was back to normal for our dog after the rehab time.

Hope it goes well - it is horrid when they are ill.

Original poster

petitdonkey · 17/02/2021 14:59

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. His walks are the highlight of his day and I can tell he’s been sad this last week not going out..

I will take him on Friday snd hopefully be able to get good advice from the surgeon. I’m always worried they will just see pound signs snd recommend surgery no matter what but you telling me your dog is now 16 is so hopeful! Thank you again x

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Original poster

petitdonkey · 17/02/2021 22:21

Anyone else have any thoughts or opinions?

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BanburyBun · 17/02/2021 23:27

We took our springer to hydrotherapy as I didn’t want to put him through the surgery and recovery (he was 11 at the time). He went twice a week to start with then weekly, then fortnightly until lockdown closed the pool. It was the right decision for him, no surgery and he loves the pool! He’s 14 now and happy with his walks and swims (hopefully they can open again soon!)

Sitdowncupoftea · 18/02/2021 15:41

I had a dog years ago snapped her cruciate ligament. She was a big dog. She went for surgery at a specialist vet. To be honest it's worse for bigger dogs hers was never right after all the surgery but it was a nasty injury. I would speak to the vet about surgery.

devildeepbluesea · 18/02/2021 15:46

My JRT ruptured his cruciate aged 10. He had surgery and recovered fairly quickly. I imagine a bigger dog would probably take longer to recover. At that time he was also extremely fit - and 10 isn't particularly old for a terrier.

He nearly did his other one when he was about 14. Vet advised total rest, painkillers for several weeks and then very gradually building up walks. It did the trick. He's still going, 19 this year.

ThunderboltKid · 18/02/2021 16:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at poster's request

QueenOfLabradors · 18/02/2021 16:27

Puppywoo ruptured his when he was about six, surgery was completely successful. He was bored rigid for the six weeks before he was allowed to walk anything like normally again, his idea of fun is flat out running. So glad we have access to plenty of safe space for him to do it! He's a happy healthy nine year old now.

Original poster

petitdonkey · 18/02/2021 21:24

Wow! I really appreciate all of you taking the time to post. Totally mixed opinions...

I’m taking him to see the orthopaedic surgeon tomorrow but I said I won’t okay surgery tomorrow (they were really keen for that...)

He’s a big dog- 34kgs despite my efforts to get him to 30... would normally walk about 5k per day but I’ve halved that recently and have been doing 2 15/20 minute walks instead. He’s definitely not in pain at the moment (is on medication from the vets) but he’s been resting...

My gut is telling me to avoid surgery, do long term Odin management (with drugs and therapy) snd cut back walks.. (we have 15 acres so he gets to roam a lot!)

But! I’m not a vet and I’ll do anything I can to keep him thriving!!!

Plus, the medication is obviously playing havoc with his digestive system and my previously non-farting dog is blimmin toxic right now!!!!

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Original poster

petitdonkey · 18/02/2021 21:25

*pain management

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EspressoExpresso · 18/02/2021 21:30

At that weight I'd expect surgery would be the only real option. There are different types though, and you're right to want to discuss things thoroughly before making any decisions. is he insured? Cruciate repair surgery is costly but if he is insured then that may open you up to the more specialist surgical options

Original poster

petitdonkey · 18/02/2021 21:48

espresso - yes he is insured so it’s not a cost issue that makes me hesitate. I went to the garage earlier and hadn’t realised he’d followed me, there are four steps down and he just jumped them all!!!! Stupid fecking bugger!!!!

NB- he’s actually the best dog in the world so had to live happily forever!!!

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EnglishRain · 18/02/2021 21:55

I've known two retrievers with cruciate ruptures and both had surgery. There didn't seem to be any other option for them that would give them the same quality of life. They had a miserable six weeks on pretty much crate rest, but then life resumed for them. I don't personally know a lot about it, but based on the two dogs I know my instinct would be surgery I expect.

Original poster

petitdonkey · 19/02/2021 09:49

Surgeon reassured me loads, did gait analysis and explained the operation and says crate rest is ‘old school’ so he actively encourages lead walks from the get go so I’m going to get him booked in! (We will deal with the hips in the future 😩)

Thank you all so much for your advice.

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PollyRoulson · 19/02/2021 10:13

Oh Brilliant nees did he say which surgery he would be doing? TPLO or TTA.

I am so pleased you are reassured and hope all goes well

Being involved with the specialist may be a blessing and he can refer you to the best hydrotherapists and physios for hips - hopefully if caught early you can them in good shape.

PollyRoulson · 19/02/2021 10:13

no idea what brilliant nees means !

Original poster

petitdonkey · 19/02/2021 11:23

I can't remember the name! (they are going to email it all to me later) - it's the one where they add a small steel plate rather than doing a cut?? Does that sound right?? They are also going to deal directly with the insurance company which is a relief (not sure I have a credit card to max 3.5k onto!!!)

Hips he seems to think may have been a problem for a while and he talked about replacing them both then swiftly said 'but we can discuss that another time' when he saw my face!!!

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