Ruptured ACL

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Gordie, our Springer, just ruptured the ACL on is right rear leg. He was actually chasing Ned, the doodle, at the campground dog park. We thought it was sooooo neat that this campground had a dog park, and even a dog bath with warm water. Now, I am sad that I ever wanted Gordie to chase after Ned to get some exercise. They have been doing this all summer. Gordie didn't fall, he just suddenly began running on three legs and I thought he got a sticker in his foot or maybe pulled a muscle. It is so damaged that the vet could diagnose it by feel. The surgeon will actually take the x-rays on Monday morning and do the surgery on Monday afternoon. Has anybody out there been through this surgery with their dog? Which type of surgery was done? Any handy hints on recovery? Will he need a cone?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

LMAO! Thanks I was hoping for one of those Lycra T-shirts I saw posted here a few months back. I don't know anything about Cone Heads except for Saturday Night LIVE. But lycra on a old woman--EECK.

Good Luck Nancy we are thinking of you.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know how Adina does this but the sites I could click on on the side of my screen are about this surgery! Lots of information there. What I can't seem to find is how best we can do aftercare. Gordie will not allow crating. He must be claustrophobic but we do have a pen that will work I think.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I had a friend who I pet sat for and they didn't like the typical crates, her husband actually built a large square box in the middle of their living room and used mesh screening on it. It actually turned out to be a cute doggy playpen, but something like that might do the trick for Gordie, and not real expensive or you might want to gate him off in a room and keep him leashed when he is with you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nancy, I didn't need to crate my poodle. The cast will keep the leg immobilized, and Gordie will be on pain meds at the beginning of his recovery, which will keep him quiet. You may not need to crate him, maybe gating him in a one area to prevent access to stairs & the other dogs will work.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Now I know how he did it, but that is so sad that he injured himself getting some exercise. Us old pharts need to work up to vigorous exercise. I am guessing he will have a cast on his leg for several weeks which is probably better than any kind of bracing for a dog. With a cast he won't need a cone but it will be some adjustment (for all of you). Will anybody be available to be with him (or for him to stay with) when you go back to school? That also will be a hard adjustment for all of you. Can you believe that after the kids are gone and you don't have to worry about after school care and babysitters, now you have to do the same with your pets? We are very happy to be retired and can make our schedules around our dogs. Lalalala life goes on.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My dog did need a cone with the cast; as mentioned above, she chewed right through the cast. If dogs' teeht can chew through bone, they can chew through casting materials.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Hi Nancy, my previous dog was a mix but mostly springer spaniel. She blew out her ACL walking across the road. The vet suggested surgery but DH didn't want to do it. This was well over 10 yrs ago and DH took her from an abusive man who was taking her to the pound. The vet said it may heal on its own because she was not a large dog. All we did was give her glucosamine. It did actually heal completely on its own. Then she blew out the other ACL (must have been prone to it). She healed on her own and never had problems again. She lived a happy life to the age of 15.

[Holly St Pierre]

My neighbor's Mom just had it done on her Australian Shepherd mix on Wednesday. Went well, lots of rest & re-coop time, I believe they said 3 months, I agree have the crate ready, the dog that went through it is 6 & did great. Keep us posted.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I have a dogpark friend Jeeves ( a Golden Retreiver) that had this surgery recently. He kind of acted the same, running, then all of a sudden on three legs. The surgery went well. The parents of this Golden said it was probably harder on them than him. He had to recover for 2 weeks, NO exercise except on a leash for business then right back inside. Then they slowly started exercising him, very controlled, for another month or so. It's taken a total of 4 or 5 months but now he is back at the dogpark, chasing tennis balls like nothing ever heppened.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Oh my goodness - what a freak accident. Hugs, cookies, and love to you all.

[Kim]

I'm so sorry. Stay positive. Gordie will be okay.

[Adina P]

So sorry about Gordie Nancy! Poor guy...especially considering how much energy he has.