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?

[Karen & Lucy]

OMGoodness, that is terrible. Poor Gordie. I hope he will be OK. Have no exp. , thank goodness, but hope everything goes OK. Hugs and licks to Gordie.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks. My heart is breaking for him. Gordie isn't the brightest bulb in the pack, but he is the sweetest. He hasn't complained of pain once; he just endures whatever happens

[Teresa Haver]

Maybe Gordie needs to eat Smarties like Welby.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Aww so sorry! Cant help - havent been through it, but I hope he heals quickly. Dont feel bad. Chit happens - despite our best intentions. It could have just as easily gone perfectly, (the romping and camping and frolicking.)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We were all having such a fun summer - really enjoying our camping out of hot and smoggy Riverside. I am only glad that we will be able to be home with him for the first bit of his recovery.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

OH Nancy I am so sorry. My sister and my neighbors dogs have gone through ACL surgery. Have the crate ready so you can keep him quiet for a few days. I don't remember seeing a cone. Both surgeries were very successful and the dogs were up and about in days. Best of luck and keep us informed. .

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

In a related story I am having ACL problems for the past few weeks also. The reason I am putting this here is because I got it at a dog park and we all should be careful. Even though my husband calls me Grace, and not because I am graceful, this was not my fault.

Two weeks ago I took Spud to the Dog Park Beach. Large Park, lots of happy silly running dogs, swimming and craziness all around. A pet peeve ( yes, pun intended here ) is that many people sit on the benches and do not stay, control, or interact with their dogs. Maybe because it is dangerous?

A rottie and a boxer, full speed ahead, not watching were they were going slammed into the back and side of my knee. I went down. I can walk, but steps are out. Be careful all you dog park goers. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My mini poodle had to have a knee ligament replaced when she was 9 years old. I don't remember if it was the ACL or another ligament, but it was a replacement. The surgery went well, and she had no further problems for the remaining 7 years of her life. I was given the choice between having my vet do it himself, and going to a surgical specialist. There was a big difference in price, but my vet said that he felt confident that in Pawla's case, he could do it with no problem, and he was right. The hardest part was keeping her from chewing the cast and keeping her quiet once she was feeling better. You are definitely going to need a cone, but get a soft one, or a "No-bite" if you don't already have one, because Gordie is going to be spending some time lying down & those rigid cones aren't good for that.
My vet had to meet me at the office at 11:30 three nights after the surgery, when my monster poodle chewed all the way through the cast.
Good luck, Nancy. I'm sorry poor Gordie is hurt, but it's not your fault. Dogs just don't seem to understand cause & effect...they run even when it hurts. I hope Gordie's surgery goes as well as my Pawla's did.

[Lorraine Bromley]

My brother in law has a golden that has had this happen to, twice. Two different knees. The surgeon said that the repair will be stronger than any part of the knee. They spent thousands on these injuries. The first time he was fairly young so they spent the money. The second injury they were considering putting him down. He was older but in good health. The vet said that he had quite a few years of life left to enjoy so they decided to spend the money and fix it. He is still going strong and swims regularily as well as jogs along with them etc.
I know this expense can and does affect whether a family chooses life or death.

[F, Calla & Luca]

So sorry to hear about Gordie but accidents happen and we can't always keep pets and kids safe or they'd have little fun. My neighbor's lab mix had an ACL tear and she kind of blamed it on running and jumping with Luca, although there was no time the dog ever seemed injured while paying with him. the dog did well after surgery. At any rate my 2 roughhouse all the time and i don't think i could stop it if I tried. I worry about being injured like Joanne since they do occasionally barrel into me and I suspect I'm a lot more vulnerable than they are. Best wishes for a swift recovery.

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

Sorry to hear this Nancy, my sister's pit bull tore her back ACL so I'm going by what she told me, She waited about 2 weeks to see if this would heal on it's own, and kept her dog on meds for pain with very limited activity (crate most of the time and walked on a leash) and it didn't help at all. The ACL surgical procedure does not actually repair the torn ligament but rather replaces the ligament with artificial material that takes over the function of the ACL, Her Vet recommended a procedure called TPLO. This is where a portion of the bone is cut and repostitioned with a metal plate to compensate for the ACL. She also said they removed or released something called the meniscus, not sure of the spelling, but it has a 95% recovery rate and her dog did fine after the recovery. Her dog was crated for about 3 to 4 wks so she could not run around with the other dogs, after this time she could start exercising her and within 2 months time you never knew her dog had surgery. Her dog did not bother the stitches or lick at them, and she didn't need a cone.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you all for responding. The more information I have the better I will feel going in to this. I want to be able to ask specific questions of the surgeon when we see him because he will do the surgery the same day, so I will only have that one chance to ask. I really am grateful to doodlekisses members for lending support. I wouldn't have even known about soft cones if I didn't belong to this site! Joanne, I am so sorry about your ACL problems. I hope you recover without the surgery - but if you need a cone, get a soft one!! Teehee.