Ghazal Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Hi all, I am asking for some advice. I have a 5yr old Border Collie that has just had a cruciate operation. It has been 3 1/2 weeks since the operation and he will only weight bear or walk on the leg if i have a lead on him. When I take the lead off he is straight back on 3 legs again. The vet said he should be walking on all four quiet comfortably by now, but I wonder if this is the case. He also said that maybe the nylon ligament that he used to replace the natural one maybe causing him some discomfort, hence when he walks it annoys him. I am after any info that may help, as I don't want to rush into having to have the nylon removed. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get him to stop hopping around on 3 legs, as he walks quiet well when using the 4 legs. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Could be a psychological thing as well. Maybe doggy physio could hep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Rules Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I'm in the middle of rehabilitating my goldie after his second cruciate ligament op in 8 months so this is just an idea of what we have been through so you can compare. Each time, my boy would hop on 3 legs for the first week only if that, and then limp on 4 legs, with the limp gradually improving over time. We are about 7 weeks post the second op now and I am walking him daily, increasing his walks by a few minutes each day. It is possible the nylon ligament is irritating your dog, however, he should be given the opportunity to get used to it. You are not at the stage of walking your dog yet (I hope!) so maybe just lead him around the house on lead as much as possible. It's quiet short periods often that will help. If by 6 weeks when you are about to start 5 minute walks, increasing a minute or so a day, your dog is not walking on all fours by then, then I would suggest perseverance for another few weeks before going back to the vet to discuss other options. As someone mentioned, it may be psychological - he expects it to hurt and so walks on 3 legs to avoid the possibility of pain. I got a lot of useful information from the Yahoo group Orthodogs - google them and see what you can find. There's many experts there worldwide with loads of great advice for caring for dogs after cruciate ops. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajtek Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I think you may want to check him with the specialist. This sort of thing should not be happening. My girl had a cruciate ligament operation (with titanium implant) and she was walking fine on the first day we picked her up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taters Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 With the nylon ligament this can be quite common at the stage you are at You should definately have him on lead to slow him up which encourages him to weight bear on the leg. Doggy physio should really help with this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghazal Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Thankyou ALL SOOOOO much for your advice. I don't feel so despondent now. He is on a lead, and I have just been getting him to take about 20 steps in the front yard, up one way then back the other way. He does weight bear on it and tries to use it up and down a few stairs, it's that he if wants to get anywhere quick he motors along on 3 legs, the I correct him verbally, then he takes a few steps on four legs. It also crossed my mind of it being a mental issue and a lack of confidence thing. i asked the vet, if it the nylon is irritating him, will the body adjust in time to it, he said yes. Do any of you agree or disagree to this ??? I really DO NOT want him to take the nylon back out, as there will be no support and his trialing career will be finished. Thankyou agian for all your responses, PLEASE keep them coming. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taters Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 It is very normal for them to want to go on 3 legs because it's faster for him once the muscle builds up a bit more he should feel more confident using 4 legs all of the time Unless there is signs of infection- like redness or swelling then I would think there is no need to take the nylon out, he's had a big operation and yes his body should adjust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 (edited) He shouldn't be doing stairs at this stage. Can you put up a ramp instead of having him use stairs? When my girl was done with titanium implants she was crated for 6 weeks with only on lead toilet breaks and I was told she was not to do stairs or any jumping onto the couch etc., Hope he recovers quickly. Edited July 24, 2008 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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