Torn ACL *3/6/10 8wk Check Up*

[Seravieve]

Well Eli and Treo were playing a few weeks back and somehow Eli managed to damage his CL... We're taking him in Tuesday so the vet can sedate him, Xray, and determine if it's a complete tear or just partially torn.

I've been reading some online about it and the articles are half and half... some say surgery works, some say decreased activity/pain meds work just as well.. He's already on Deramax for his spine issues, so that helps some I guess. Everyone has said surgery or no surgery, arthritis will still show up in the knee, so its a toss up I guess. He's 3 years old, ~70 pounds, not overweight by any means... he doesnt quite fit the 'general' category of dogs who get this injury, so it's kind of annoying that it happened. Especially since my other half just lost her job this past week.. the company is most-likely closing up shop in two weeks (1100 employees... ).

Was wondering if anyone's had to go through this with their dog, What you opted for, etc?

[chocolatepuppy]

My Lacey had both knees done when she was around 4 and 5. She is now 9 and a 1/2 and still walking. She's in the 70# weight range. No serious arthritis at this point. She may be slow getting up after lying a while but she is getting older.
She had the rubber band type surgery, not as expensive as the TPLO(?) surgery, which btw, scares me. Both of her ligaments were totaly torn, in half, so surgery was the only option.
I hope Eli's is not as bad and maybe rest will help it heal.

[kokopup]

Koko had to have both CCL's repaired at age one year. She is a big dog but not over weight at 100 lb. Both of her knees gave out because of Hip dysplasia. They say when one Knee goes, when the hips are involved, both will go. The local ortho Vet wanted to do TPLO so I took her to Auburn Univ because they do the Fishing line type and TPLO. Since her surgery her Knees are as good as new. When a low pressure comes in, that brings rain, she usually has that pained look because of arthritis in her hips. They did not recommend surgery for her hips so we give her Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Msm as a daily supplement. I give her aspirin or Remidal when she is in pain. I do not advise having TPLO there are to many risk.

[Seravieve]

Thanks for both of your replies. It's good to hear what others have done, even though the detail are a little different.

Eli is already on a daily Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement as well as Deramax. And he also has arthritic degeneration in his spine, near his hips, and up near his shoulders, which causes him to arch his back excessively and has lead to muscle spasms (which I initially thought were seizures! Was so scary the first time I saw it.). Our vet thinks the damage to his spine was from some sort of trauma... So I guess his previous owners did a number on him in the few months they had him (~3 months). The Deramax helps him relax his back some and be more mobile, and has put an end to the muscle spasms (fingers crossed) as he hasn't had one in at least 6 months.

So this whole CCL thing has just added more stress to his already weakened back end... rather aggravating. We're trying to keep him as calm and relaxed as possible. Hoping to prevent any further damage to either knee. It just tough since Treo and him LOVE to play race and chase and he can't jump and run like he should be able to.

[K9karen]

Cody had both his knees done, 2 months apart, when he was around 5.

He sailed through everything like a trooper. I had to keep him quiet (yeah, a yellow lab. golden retreiver) for 6 weeks with each surgery. Luckily, the weather was nice each time, so I moved into the downstairs family room with him since there's a door to the yard. First day was Rimydal, I think, afterwards, Maalox coated aspirin. As long as he had company, he was fine, well behaved. He lost 30 needed pounds. No kitchen table to beg at, and no stoopid hoomans to accommodate the big brown eyes.

Afterwards, he was back to normal, no setbacks. I took it harder than him.

Good luck with Eli. Big kisses for him.

[Freedom]

My friend had her miniature poodle in Agility, and he did this. So it doesn't matter if he is overweight or not, it is how they land, and can happen to any of them, in theory.

Teddy was 2 years at the time. She went with the vet's recommendation for the surgery. She said keeping such a young active pup calm during the recovery was a bit of a challenge, but he healed up fine. He is 3 years old now. He is no longer in Agility, and both of them miss that.

Wait for the xrays, listen to what the vet says and recommends. Take notes so you can think about it at home, if need be.

Best wishes!