Angel3 Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 (edited) My link The above link shows a Cruciate Brace Fitted sent to me by www.dogsinmotion.com.au Hi all me & my precious boy BC really need all the help & right advice we can get right now. My vet suspected Cruciate Ligament damage last wed. 25th July 2012. He has been on Metacam Chewables since & is doing ok & I have started him on Glucosamine for now but will start him on Glucosamine & Chondroitin Capsules when I get some. The Vet suggested an op, but that,s not an alternative here. I have been in contact with www.dogsinmotion.com.au & they are heaven sent. They have a Cruciate Brace which I have looked into quite a bit (ONLY ONE IN AUSTRALIA!)& can use this instead of surgery.I have looked into a Robert Jones Bandage but will have to wait another 4 days before I see the vet again about this until a Brace can be Custom Fit through OrthoPets. Could you please give me your opinion & views about this as I am trying my best currently on getting my precious boy better asap. Thanks Guys in advance :heart: Edited July 29, 2012 by Angel3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Arcane Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I don't really have any medical advice but can I just say that it's a Cruciate Ligament, not a Crucial Ligament. I'm not trying to be picky or annoying or whatever, I just know someone else would say it if I didn't. good luck with your boy. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I don't really have any medical advice but can I just say that it's a Cruciate Ligament, not a Crucial Ligament. I'm not trying to be picky or annoying or whatever, I just know someone else would say it if I didn't. good luck with your boy. :) OOoops Thanks, Changed now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck My link They are in Vic & they custom fit these Cruciate Braces. No people in Australia wouldn't have heard of it as I first saw it on youtube a dog in Colorado But the ONLY place in Aussie you can get one is at the above link. They are REALLY GOOD!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck OSoSwift check out the video link on my 1st post. The braces are a god send for the dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck oSoSwift can I please ask you were you happy with your TPLO & did you have an A Plate put in also? I am just worried for an op with my boy. Thanks x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 If the cruciate ligament is damaged but not snapped then complete rest will sometimes allow it to heal. This is usually done with complete crate rest but a brace may do the same thing if it completely imobilises the leg. If the cruciate ligament has snapped though it will have to be surgically fixed. Again complete rest for 3 months after the op is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 If the cruciate ligament is damaged but not snapped then complete rest will sometimes allow it to heal. This is usually done with complete crate rest but a brace may do the same thing if it completely imobilises the leg. If the cruciate ligament has snapped though it will have to be surgically fixed. Again complete rest for 3 months after the op is required. Thanks, My boy I must say has been extremely good in staying still on his soft bed in my room, but I sometimes worry about his 'state of mind' being still as he won't walk at all unless I help/encourage him up for toileting. On saying that I have had to make a ramp for him on my 4 back steps which he is more confident now. I have tried carrying him but it's a catch 22. He is heavy but not overweight & is not tollerating me carrying him anymore. I just wish there was more I could do for him. I will be asking for an Ultrasound to find out just what damage there is but until then fingers & Paws crossed he is not too bad. The Brace can't come soon enough. The way the Brace is fitted is first you have a mould taken of your dogs leg.Your vet sends this off to Dogs In Motion & they custom make the Brace.The Brace Stabilizes the knee & promotes healing also. The best part about these braces is they can get back on their feet & walk in confidence again. They can also swim in it which you have to do as part of the healing. Underwater treadmills are good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 What is the actual diagnosis ? Did you see your regular vet, or a specialist? Can your boy have a pen/bed nearer outside ..or on a porch or somewhere that makes it easier to access outdoors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 What is the actual diagnosis ? Did you see your regular vet, or a specialist? Can your boy have a pen/bed nearer outside ..or on a porch or somewhere that makes it easier to access outdoors? It's only early days, with my vet suspecting Cruciate Ligament Damage at this point until he has an Ultrasound. He has been on NSAID's for 5 days now & doing ok. & NO I will not put him outside & I don't have a porch. Wish I did tho. He's comfortable in my room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Arcane Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Once you have an absolutely accurate diagnosis if surgery is the only/best option would you not consider it & if not, why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck oSoSwift can I please ask you were you happy with your TPLO & did you have an A Plate put in also? I am just worried for an op with my boy. Thanks x So far, yes but it is a little soon to tell 100%. She is the smallest dog they have done it on but she is no more lame now at 3 weeks post op than she was before going in, she was pretty much on three legs, now she is on four with a slight limp. Rommi had a T-shaped plate in her leg. Her cruciate wasn't completely ruptured but we were sure it would. I didn't want that to happen as there was the risk or more injury with cartlidge etc. When they opened her up her cruciate was damaged and very close to snapping. She originally injured it around 2 years ago, recovered has been trialling and gained some passes in agility etc. Her 'episodes" were gettign more frequent and harder to get her sound until she came up lame, I rested her, she came sound, then went lame, then got her sound, went very lame while standing on her bed in a 5 minute window! I am very glad I went the surgery as it meant the least potential damage to her joint, a far better odds of return to soundness and function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel3 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have never hear of the brace hopefully someone comes along who has. My Whippet girl had TPLO surgery for cruciate damage 3 weeks ago so I feel your (and his) pain. Goodluck oSoSwift can I please ask you were you happy with your TPLO & did you have an A Plate put in also? I am just worried for an op with my boy. Thanks x So far, yes but it is a little soon to tell 100%. She is the smallest dog they have done it on but she is no more lame now at 3 weeks post op than she was before going in, she was pretty much on three legs, now she is on four with a slight limp. Rommi had a T-shaped plate in her leg. Her cruciate wasn't completely ruptured but we were sure it would. I didn't want that to happen as there was the risk or more injury with cartlidge etc. When they opened her up her cruciate was damaged and very close to snapping. She originally injured it around 2 years ago, recovered has been trialling and gained some passes in agility etc. Her 'episodes" were gettign more frequent and harder to get her sound until she came up lame, I rested her, she came sound, then went lame, then got her sound, went very lame while standing on her bed in a 5 minute window! I am very glad I went the surgery as it meant the least potential damage to her joint, a far better odds of return to soundness and function. Thanks oSoSwift, I,m glad to hear that from you. Best of Luck in the future with her. On that note I just want to let you know I did read about an op done in Colorado where a vet hadn't used the right surgical plate & therefore the poor dog got infection & the worst thing happened.I Don't mean to worry you but I am just letting anyone know who reads this also as I wouldn't wish this on any Animal or their owners.I am VERY Picky on Vets as I want to know & see the WHOLE of it all. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 You are really pushing this brace thing. Starting to think that it is actually your company and the purpose of this thread is to promote the brace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 (edited) If the cruciate ligament is damaged but not snapped then complete rest will sometimes allow it to heal. This is usually done with complete crate rest but a brace may do the same thing if it completely imobilises the leg. If the cruciate ligament has snapped though it will have to be surgically fixed. Again complete rest for 3 months after the op is required. I have seen a dog where they elected not to do surgery- it went back to agility/flyball. This is a rare outcome- most dogs wouldn't get as much attention as this one did and would end up with arthritis etc so it is certainly not the first port of call. I am not sure what made these people decide against surgery. This brace could be used to avoid surgery BUT it would mean a LOT of extra work by the owner and I wouldn't be trying it without the assistance of a physio and after talking to a specialist who have both seen/assessed the dog to see if it actually is an option. NB there are risks with every surgery Angel3 but quality of life is worth the risk in many cases so dont get too hung up on the outliers. If your worried perhaps look around for a specialist surgeon who does multiple of these a week with all the specialist equipment and exceptional nurses who are amazing at aseptic techniques. Edited July 29, 2012 by Jumabaar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inevitablue Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Until you know the exact diagnosis - partial or full tear then the brace could be useless. As mentioned before a full tear requires reconstructing. A joint might fill up with scar tissue and offer some stability but that's a very risky option to hope to rely on. If it is a full tear, the brace will only help instability while the dog is wearing it and you cant expect the dog to live in it forever. As soon as you remove the brace the joint instability will happen and degrade the joint. I can see it being beneficial though if the dog has a partial tear. Even human surgeons cant make an accurate diagnosis to the state of a CL without imaging. Before you spend any money on the brace find out exactly what is wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 There is no firm diagnosis . An ultrasound has not yet been done for some reason ... Not sure I'd be rushing to spend good money until I knew exactly what the problem was, and the likely prognosis .... Angel3 - ONE dog allegedly died because of an infection ... very sad , however, lots of dogs recover so well from the surgery . many pedestrians get hit by cars as they cross a road ......... it's a risk , but we still need to cross roads . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Is the dog able to bend its leg in the brace? I tried to watch the movie of the dog walking but couldnt work it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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