churchie

Hi, My Border Terrier strained/partial tore her cruciate ligament, approx 6 months ago and the vet advised the rest, wait and see method, and she is a small dog, under 10 kils and so far so good. She is now walking/running on it fine and my vet is very happy with her progress. I was advised that for the 4-6 weeks, she was to be kept as quiet as possible, walking only for toileting, no stairs, jumping, walks etc. etc. Then once we got over that period, she could go for a tiny slow walk on a lead i.e. 1-2 house lengths twice a day, and then from there we very slowly built her up until I think about the 4 month mark she was allowed to go for all the walks she wanted onlead and offlead but still where possible no stairs or jumping until we get to the 6 month period. She was also a little bit over weight so I have been trying the best to get 1-2 kilos off her to keep her as trim as I can. I also used something like 'sasha's blend' for a certain period as well during her recovery. My vet didn't believe these sorts of things do much good but I felt it couldn't hurt. The advice I got from other people was the most important thing was to follow your vets advise exactly on what to do during the recovery period as although they might feel and look like and want to do more excercise it is better to take the slow and steady approach. We had little set backs here and there during this six month period but fingers crossed the scar tissue will hold together well. Good luck with your girl.

Hi, Thanks.. fingers crossed Milly and I don't have to go down the surgery path, as she definitely isn't listless or in any pain, she just isn't happy about being kept quiet or contained. I will let you know how we go... Deborah

Hi, Milly my Border Terrier hurt her cruciate ligament about 5 weeks ago. I took her straight to the Vet where she was given an anti-inflammatory needle and tablets for about a week. I was instructed to keep her off the leg as much as possible, and absolutely NO jumping or running and only slow lead walking. I also live in a 2 storey house so when she went to bed she was carried up stairs with me. If she was sitting next to me on the couch then she was picked up and carried with me whenever I went anywhere. I learnt quite quickly that 3 years of obedience training meant nothing to her, if I asked her to sit and stay. . So basically she was kept on a lead attached to me pretty well most of the time. So for the first 3 weeks, she was virtually carried everywhere, and only allowed out in my courtyard on her lead and a very very small walk up the street (about 2-3 houses lengths), maybe twice a day. The vet wasn't sure if it was ruptured or strained but when I took her back after the initial 3 weeks he thought it was definitely strained but might of had a small tear in it as she was quite a bit better and putting weight on it and walking with a slight limp, and if she had completley ruptured it there wouldn't of been this much improvement. The vet is very happy with her progress and we have another month to go before we see the vet again. But she is now allowed a very very slow walk around the block twice a day. Still no stairs, jumping chasing the cats etc. etc. Then after this month, she goes back to the vet and we will see how she is going and what/if any increase in her exercise we can do. Milly probably was a little bit over weight but she had recently lost some weight before the accident.. so I am also very aware of how much she eats now.... and she mainly gets veggies and a bit of meat, and am trying to cut down on the treats as well. Easier said than done when you are trying to keep them quiet and contained I know. I have bought baby gate to lock her in my study when I am working, to keep her as quiet as I possible can, and that definitely helped. I have also been told, it is what you do in the recovery that contributes to how well they heal (surgery or non-surgery), so although Milly could and desparately wants longer walks especially off-lead have restricted her exercise to what the Vet advised. I am not sure whether doing this will avoid the surgery option for us or maybe just defer it but the Vet seemed confident, so will be guided by his expertise and experience. P.S. - I am also giving Milly some muscle and joint power from Pet Ark, my Vet didn't think this stuff made much difference but I thought it couldn't hurt. Fingers crossed for you. Regards Deborah