Knee Damaged In Play

[sandgrubber]

My dogs are en ruote to the US from Perth via JetPets. Much to my distress, the puppy had a spill a couple days ago and did in her knee. Here's what the vet says after a second examination and looking at the Xrays.

Bonza was still quite lame on the leg but almost impossible to keep from bouncing around, surprise!! The xrays showed a slightly bigger gap btw the tibial tuberosity and the tibia on the affected leg but it was not completely avulsed. However it is currently a weak spot so she could do that given the opportunity.

Young dogs heal really fast, a fracture can heal in a couple of weeks opposed to 4-6 in an older animal. Consequently I would recommend 4 weeks of cage rest and walking. I am assuming she won't have many other dogs to bounce around with for a while so keeping her exercise steady should be easy enough.

How would others interpret this?

I think I'll start with little straight walks and gradually increase, and do everything I can to prevent jumping, running or sharp turns. I'd guess that swimming is ok. Does that sound about right?

Edited July 14, 2010 by sandgrubber

[raffikki]

I think I'll start with little straight walks and gradually increase, and do everything I can to prevent jumping, running or sharp turns. I'd guess that swimming is ok. Does that sound about right?

Electra had an "avulsion tibial crest" when 4 months old.

After her surgery and being kept crated for 3 weeks, I was advised to take her for short 5 minute walks.

I did this every hour or so for about week and then extended the walks slowly for another few weeks(from memory) before letting her run and play like normal.

She is now seeing an acupuncturist, who told me that she may have been able to help alot more if I'd taken Electra to her sooner, she had a few problems with waisted muscle in the injured leg.

Are you still in Perth?

If you would like our acupuncturist's details I can pm the to you.

Hope the pup is feeling better soon :p

Oh here's the link to my thread with Electra's xrays, in case you want to have a look

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...=173482&hl=

[Staranais]

I think I'll start with little straight walks and gradually increase, and do everything I can to prevent jumping, running or sharp turns. I'd guess that swimming is ok. Does that sound about right?

I'd check with vet before swimming. As far as I'm aware, the aim of the exercise restriction would be to avoid using the quads until the weakness in the growth plate had healed (these are the muscle group that pull on the tibial crest when the dog uses them & could cause it to avulse totally). I'm not sure how much exercise swimming places on a dog's quads, but wouldn't personally risk it without clearing it with your vet.