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?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It's going be hard to keep him quiet especially when people come in the door. I am hoping he will self-limit himself, but since my boys never did with their broken arms, I don't have much hope. I am also sorry that we were never able to crate Gordie. We are tethering him to us for now and will see what we need to do after the surgery. I am sad that we had to cancel the rest of our RV summer plans, but extremely glad that we will be home until Aug 20, and can devote all of our time to Gordie's recovery. After that, we will call on friends and family to check in on him every couple of hours.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nancy maybe you can gate off a room, for example, just limit his use to the kitchen? Spud is crate trained and I don't think he would last long in a crate either.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our den/kitchen area can be blocked off and it is where the dogs are when we leave (Ned can't have free reign of the house yet if we aren't home). I think he will tolerate the pen at least as long as he is kind of sedated. I want to make sure Ned doesn't try to play with him after his surgery. One of us humans is sitting with them at all times. I want Ned to get used to being with a tethered Gordie and to the pen because he is a curious little guy. I just haven't put Gordie in the pen yet - just don't want to make him feel any undue anxiety ( I know that it would be better to pen him now to get him more used to it, but I feel so bad that I just can't do it yet.) And did I say that Gordie also has a bad, bad ear infection!!! Never rains, but it pours.

[GBK]

Hi Nancy, I am am so sorry to hear about Gordie! I hope all goes well on Monday I will have him and your family in my prayers. My first cockapoo chased a cat at 4 yo and ended up wiith very bad soft tissue damage. His back ankle twisted up to face straight up in the air, ughh I can still see this in my mind and it has been over 15 years! He ended up having soft tissue surgery and in a number of soft casts. He did not have an ecollar and it just tool time and money to get him back to normal. He lived till 16 years and never had trouble with the leg until his last year. I hope things go well, and keep us posted!
Gina

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I, too, am so sorry to hear about the storm over Gordie's head right now. Hopefully the sun will shine on him very soon. Talk to the vet about the potential of the other knee having issues also since he can't use crutches he will put so much more weight on the good leg. I have heard of 2 dogs that blew out the ACL in 1 knee and within the year, they blew out the other. Ask you vet what you can do to strengthen the good knee while recuperating from the surgery.

[Stella]

They usually do pretty well after surgery, once they get over the initial post-op period. Depending on what your insurance covers, there are some physiotherapists that specialise in treating animals/ dogs which you might find helpful. Swimming is an excellent way of strengthening the leg without putting so much weight through it, and would also strengthen the other leg. Some specialised vet/ rehab clinics have a pool especially for dogs, or an underwater treadmill. Speak to the surgeon to see what he recommends, they usually have a fairly strict rehab protocol for you to stick to. Good luck!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Wow, do I wish I had pet insurance!!! According to the vet, Gordie has a high chance to rupture the ligament on the other leg. Sadly, he does already have some deterioration. This is what can come when you don't go to a breeder who checks out all that hip stuff. We were well-intended but ignorant in some the things that are important when getting a dog from a breeder. We can try to strengthen his muscles but there isn't any other prevention we can do. He should not run on uneven ground or make tight turns. The vet said that swimming is the best (we need to find a dog swimming place) rehab or even a treadmill. My daughter-in-law has a device called a Walkie-Dog that you fasten to a bicycle. I think if we go slow that might be a really good way for him to exercise also.
His surgery was called T.T.A. which is a newer treatment. What they do is break the tibia - kind of splitting it and insert a titanium spacer. This forces the Patella out and changes the way the weight is distributed. The bone grows around this titanium frame and fills in the space. They don't repair the ligament, just leave it. He doesn't have a cast but his bandages look like a purple cast. His activities will be severely limited for about 6 - 8 weeks with full recovery in about 6 months. He is back home today, snoozing. We have so many pills we either are supposed to give him or can give him, we could start our own drug store! He even has a pain patch that we take off in 72 hours. He also had two subcutaneous cysts that they removed while they were at it that were bigger than we thought. Poor baby!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw, Nancy, I'm so sorry that poor Gordie has to go through this; I know you must just feel overwhelmed. At least with all the pills, you won't have to worry about keeping Gordie quiet for awhile.
The underwater treadmill therapy for dogs is becoming pretty common these days. Didn't the vet have a referral for you? At Jack's specialty clinic there is a physical therapy practice that has one, maybe you could find a place like that near you. Even some of the "doggie spas" have them, I think.
Anyway, at least the worst part is done. Try to just take things day by day, one thing at a time. Big doodle hugs to you & Gordie, and wishes for a very fast, uneventful recovery!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Gordie's surgery was not in town so even if they have a therapy area, we probably can't participate simply due to distance. My regular vet is an old fashioned plain guy. I am going to ask around to see if there is something in town - Riverside is a huge town so there must be something. There is NO specialty vet surgery clinic though which seems odd, but.....

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nancy,
Thinking of you. Hope today is a better day for you and your family.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Joanne

[GBK]

Hope he is feeling better today Nancy. It is a slow road, but they are ambitious and love life, that energy helps in their recovery. Hope you find a place nearby to swim, the bike or treadmill sounds like a great idea. My thoughts and prayers are with you!