Torn CCL

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

It seems that after several visits at a canine rehab center, the vets have settled on a diagnosis of a partially torn ACL. I got the call on Saturday and I'm still trying to process the information.

Here is how it all started:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

So today I made an appointment for a consultation with an ortho specialist. It's this Friday.

I'm so confused and scared about all of this. Is surgery always the only option? How do they even know for sure it's a torn ACL? What do I need to ask the ortho specialist?

I'm having a hard time envisioning the post surgery time. Even now, I was told Monty should take it easy and not run or jump. So our daily outings to a dog park are out of the window. We went for a mile long walk this morning, which does not nearly cut it for both active boys. I worry that Auggie loses a chance to burn more energy while following Monty's calm regiment now. It's really hard to do that.

And if surgery is the only option, it would mean that I will need to take some time off work to be at home with Monty while he is in recovery. Has anyone been through the ACL surgery? What do I need to expect? How did you manage to go through the whole process (and still work full time)?

UPDATE (Feb. 26, 2015): I've realized that I have not updated this discussion. So I just wanted to let you know that Monty had a TPLO surgery on January 29th. It was a partial tear on his ligament, his meniscus was fine. We are currelnty in week 4 post-op. He is doing great, it's hard to keep him calm since he thinks he can run and jump just fine. We did a second session of hydrotherapy today.

His next check-up is in 4 weeks.

Hydrotherapy - Feb. 26, 2015 

UPDATE (April 2, 2015):
We had our 8 week post-op checkup last Friday. The vet took x-rays of Monty's knee and everything seems to be healing fine. She did not see any limping. We were cleared to use the stairs a couple of times a day, so I finally got to sleep upstairs in my real bed. Monty still needs to be on leash at all times, but we are up to 30 minute walks a few times a day. We are still doing hydrotherapy once a week and several exercises daily. We are half way through the rehab period, yay!

Monty is actually having so much fun during his hydrotherapy:

Hydrotherapy #5 - March 25, 2015 

UPDATE, July 1, 2015:

We were in week 14 post-surgery, only two weeks away from Monty being able to run off leash. I noticed him limping on the other leg. The vet did tell us that there is more than 70% chance he would damage his other knee ligament thanks to over-compensating for such a long time. The partial tear was confirmed and Monty had a second knee surgery on June 24th. So here we go again, poor guy. We are down week 1 post surgery....15 more to go. I'm sure glad dogs only have two knees. The good news is that our pet insurance covers the second surgery as well. I just wish we didn't have to go through this yet again. What a sucky year for my boy.

UPDATE, November 1, 2015:

I'm yet again way too late with an update. The second knee surgery went fine, but Monty had tough few days afterwards. He had a different surgeon and this time they wrapped his entire leg after the surgery. Being a primadona, he refused to pee or poop...and after a couple of days refused to eat. So we rushed him in. As soon as the vet took off his leg wrap, we went outside and Monty finally relieved himself. After that, it was the usual recovery, including PT and hydrotherapy.

I'm happy to report that we finished all PT on Oct. 15th and slowly started off leash activities. First, a dog park without throwing a ball. Then short throws for him. It is really nice to be able to take both dogs out somewhere at the same time. 

Here is a fun video from Monty's last therapy session, he was wearing a GoPro camera:

Last rehab session from JarkaH on Vimeo.

I took both boys to an open space with creek today and Monty got the zoomies. Yikes! I still get covered in cold sweat when I see him run full speed or jump through ravines like he did today... I'll take me a while to stop worrying.

Video from today: 

Nov. 1, 2015 from JarkaH on Vimeo.

BUT: he had a blast AND I did not observe any weakness in his legs after he took a nap. It's sure soooo nice to see that he can play, take a nap, and not have a hard time getting up and walking. I'm really happy. Hopefully, we are off to a new start now. It's been a really long year... but it seems he is as good as new.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Mary, I can't leave Gordie by himself at all so I do understand.  You just need a third dog!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jarka, run the chiropractic past your orthopedic surgeon; there are conflicting opinions about whether chiropractic is beneficial, and it can actually make things worse. It should also only ever be done by a DVM. The information the chiropractor gave you regarding his spine and nerves being "not being aligned" makes no sense physiologically and that worries me. I've heard that kind of thing from human chiropractors in the past with my own clients, and it made no sense then either.

JD has a holistic vet who does chiropractic on him, so I'm not saying it can't be helpful, but you do need to make sure that it's the right thing for Monty's exact condition, and that the person doing it has the proper credentials. JD's "alternative therapies" (acupuncture, chiro and laser) were recommended by the orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed his herniated disc, and he referred me to the vet who does them. 

The cold laser therapy should be fine, but I'd ask the surgeon about that too, just to be safe. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

UPDATE on Monty (June 1, 2015)

Unfortunately, bad news. While this was week 17 post surgery and he was supposed to be back to normal activity, I noticed him limping on the "good" leg, starting in week 14. So today was our appointment with a vet. They did x-rays and saw some fluid in his knee, which is supposed to indicate partial CCL tear. They also said he had a pain reaction to some of the movements during the exam.

So just as we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, here comes a surgery on his other knee. I'm REALLY bummed and disappointed. I was hoping we could beat the odds, especially if he was doing so well. It's just so hard to imagine yet another 4 months of confinement for him, especially so soon after his first surgery.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw, Jarka, I'm so sorry. :(

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Sorry to hear Monty is having issues with his good leg.  Pawsitive thoughts coming your way.

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

So sorry to hear this!  We're at 8 weeks and hoping to beat the odds also.  Scrappy had fluid on the other knee when we had xrays before this surgery.  I'm trying not to think about it.  We also have the odds against us with her extra weight.  Hard to get it off when she is limited now, but I'm trying. 

How soon will you be doing his other leg?  The poor guy.  Confinement is so hard to begin with.  I know what you've been through. 

(Was Hoping you could enjoy many more months in the King size bed, Jarka!!  We're actually moving back upstairs to our bedroom this week.  Scrappy will be doing the steps for the first time. Sleeping on just a mattress is starting to lose it's appeal.) 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry this happened. When Gordie tore his first CCL I researched and found out that the other leg almost always gets a tear - more like, not if, but when. Jarka, at least you know the way the surgery works and what you have to do for recovery. 

[Stella]

Sadly it is very common for a dog that has torn one CCL to go on and tear the other :(

[BG and Gavin]

So sorry Jarka :(

[BG and Gavin]

So sorry Jarka :(

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Hugs to you and Monty.  So sorry to hear this :(