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.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks, Nicky. I know you had your share of scares with Boris.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Well, the visit at the ortho specialist confirmed that Monty has a partially torn CCL. They suggested TPLO surgery as soon as possible since there is no reason to wait. If we wait, it might get worse. They said if everything goes smoothly, there will be a 4 month recovery period. I just wanted to let you know as I still digest the information. Of course, it's pricey, the whole package including post-op PT is $4200, but I would rather go hungry. And we do have a pet insurance. It's not about the money, it's about my best friend. I want the best for him and I don't want him to suffer. I also don't work well under stress, so I need to take a few days to digest all of this to be able to think logically again. I'm a wreck right now. I know he is not going to die from this condition and there could be worst things happening to him. I'm still a wreck. I've got two dogs to take care of and while I keep Monty calm and recovering from his surgery, I need to make sure that Auggie gets plenty of time to romp. We've been doing walks for the last few days and those are definitely not enough. I know that dogs adjust just fine, so it's probably just me who is over-thinking this. I'm just scared. Very scared.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I know how stressed you must be but you must be relieved that it's a partial tear and that should make things a little easier. Monty is great at cheering up patients and I'm sure he'll be a very good patient himself. I know having to deal with this will throw all your day to day routines out of whack but I know you'll all do just fine, Monty will be all better and you'll all be back to normal and you'll wonder why you were so worried. :>) Take a deep breath, it's going to be fine.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Jarka try not to worry. These pooches of ours tend to be incredibly resilient and with your great care he will be back on his paws before you know it. Hugs to you both.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Breathe, breathe, breathe.  Now, you will be able to cope just fine.  Our other dogs sensed that Gordie wasn't well and didn't try to engage him in inappropriate play. As long as Gordie is with his people he can calmly lay around, but leaving him was our real problem - he kept climbing out of the ex-pen. This is why we knew we had to let him sleep upstairs with the rest of us.  We brought the ex-pen upstairs and confined him in our room.  We used the sling to support his stair climb.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I ordered the x-pen today and we think we'll place it in the living room downstairs. I should be able to put our spare mattress next to the x-pen so that he is not alone at night. He has not slept in a crate since he was 5 months. Once we have the home set-up figured out, we'll schedule the surgery so that he is back to normal this summer.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jarka, we will be with you all the way.   Gordie is not able to be in a crate (his anxiety just doesn't allow him to rest in a crate) so the ex-pen was perfect for us. The great thing about the ex-pen is its portability.  You can move it to different areas so that Monty can  still be 'with' you. We put a lounge pad inside for a 'dog bed' for Gordie as well as food and water. For potty walks while he still had the cast, we put a dog poop bag on his foot with a child sized sock over it. Kept his foot dry.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I just scheduled his surgery for January 29th. I could barely make myself do it. So worried for my sweet boy. Please keep us in your thoughts.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jarka, we will all be with you and Monty. Count on that. He'll be just fine, and so will you. Before you know it, this will all be behind you and Monty will be running and playing pain-free. 

[DJ & Chance]

Jarka, my thoughts will be with you and Monty.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Our thoughts and prayers will be with Monty for a speedy recovery. Will be looking for update posts. Hugs to you all!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Hang in there Jarka, of course this is a huge worry but you will figure all the logistics out as the challenges unfold.  Riley seemed to understand that Boris couldn't play it seemed to be instinctive and he was very patient with his best buddy. I'm sure Auggie will be the same with Monty.  The day of the operation itself will be hard but before you know it Monty will be back home. You know of course that all of us are here for you any time you are extra concerned or need a listening ear. That is the great thing about DK.