Operation On Cruciate Ligament.

[Jillee]

My son's dog ( Staffy x...the size of a ridgeback) is having a cruciate ligament operated on at the end of January. We have a large crate to lend them for after care. Can anyone advise a schedule/tips/advise from personal experience in managing after care with her. We realise the vet will give thorough advice but anyone with experience may advise the pitfalls/difficulties and problems they encountered. Could she use a single matress/pen affair for comfort and restricted movement???? I think we may be having her at our place for the recouperation so any "set up ideas would be appreciated.

[Tralee]

Hi Jillee

Restricted movement means restricted movement and for a staffy you may have to tie the dog down.

I nursed a dog through arthrodesis last year but was lucky he was docile, and largely inactive.

No explosive movements such as running, jumping etc

You are lucky that you can get an operation just on the ligament.

It must have been a minor injury.

We did have instructions that we were to encourage the dog to walk toe to ground but your case may be different.

Regards

[Rascalmyshadow]

Our oldest girl has had both cruciates repaired (18 months apart) we gave her two days of strong pain killers and 100% rest. After that we started doing 3 x 5 minute walks per day and gradually increased the length of the walks over a few weeks.

Not once did we crate her just gave her the lounge and bedroom to move around in and supervised toilet breaks.

Once the vet gives the all clear swimming is another great way of building strength back up without as much risk of injury.

Make sure all exercise is on lead.

[fainty_girl]

My Kelpie X tore her cruciate ligament and her severed her meniscus cushion and had surgery nearly 3 months ago.

She was on antibiotics and pain medication, along with some liquid medication to help with pain and inflammation. She had this big bandage on her leg (photo below), so that obviously slowed her down and the pain medication made her fairly sleepy and relaxed. Then 10 days after surgery she had her bandages & stitches removed and her first injection of cartrophen (with 3 more injections after that each week). We were told that she didn't need to be crated and to be honest, I don't think she would have coped well being kept in a crate. I took some extra time off work and kept an eye on her because I wasn't sure how she would go because she is a very active dog. When she had her bandage on she wasn't allowed any exercise and when she got her bandages off, she was still only allowed about 5 minutes of walking on the lead. After the first 4 weeks, she could go on 10 minute walks on the lead, twice daily, then walks could be increased up to 30 minutes twice daily over the following two months.

Initially even with a very short walk on the lead and a short swim, Tilly did get sore, but gradually over time she has gotten better. In the info I was provided by the vet, unrestricted running and playing off the lead needs to be avoided until 3 months after surgery, then she will need a checkup before this should be done. I'll need to get her checked soon and then hopefully she can start playing off lead again. Recovery time is about 6 months though, unfortunately!

I was surprised just how well Tilly has coped though, I thought it would have been a lot worse. You just need to really focus on keeping your dog quiet, and make sure they're not jumping around or chasing anything, etc. Good luck, I hope it all goes smoothly for your dog!

[julesluvscavs]

Many years ago I had a GSD x Heeler that had both done (different times). My one regret was I wish i had known about crates back then! I never really was able to keep him rested properly after post ops, and I don't think they ever healed as properly as they should off . He went on to develop arthritis later and it got so bad, I had to have him pts

So if the vets says strict rest, and restricted movement thats what they mean !

All the best with your son dog's operation. Hope all goes well and smoothly :)

Edited January 23, 2013 by Jules♥Cavs

[Caesars mum]

Keep her away from slippery floors and stairs and no jumping. All toilet breaks and walks on lead until vet says otherwise. No playing with other dogs.

If unsupervised crate. Once vet says so make sure you do the gentle walking on lead for increased periods to build the muscles up.

[Jumabaar]

If you can look up a k9 physiotherapist near you.

They will be able to guide the recovery post op for the best chance of success IMO. They may also be able to help strengthen the other leg which will be placed under additional strain during the recovery.

[Jillee]

Thanks guys....all really helpful info. The operation is next Wed...31st I am prepared with crates, restricting fencing etc so all should go well if that is what the vet requires. We are near the beach so we will be able to swim her in the first instance that she will be allowed. I'm sure her recovery will be the best it can and heres hoping that all goes well. Will keep you all up to date and maybe pics...

[persephone]

:) Just make sure that whatever crate you have allows the dog to lie down with that leg straight out ..and not touching the sides .....

[fainty_girl]

Thanks guys....all really helpful info. The operation is next Wed...31st I am prepared with crates, restricting fencing etc so all should go well if that is what the vet requires. We are near the beach so we will be able to swim her in the first instance that she will be allowed. I'm sure her recovery will be the best it can and heres hoping that all goes well. Will keep you all up to date and maybe pics...

With swimming, one thing my vet warned me about is to not let my dog bound into the water. When I took her for a swim in a lake, I put her on a long lead and walked her out into the water, when she was deep in the water I threw a ball so she could fetch it.

[luvmybulldog]

My Bulldog had TTA surgery in October last year - ( Her meniscus wasn't damaged )I think she coped better than me, I was a complete wreck. She went for twice daily walks of 100m gradually increasing over the 8 weeks of recuperation time on the advice of the Vet Specialist who did the operation. I kept her confined in my kitchen with baby gates across the doorways and put rubber matting on the wooden floor. I also took her to Canine Hydrotherapy after about 5 weeks where she had treatment on the Water Treadmill, now we just go down to the beach where she can wade in the shallows . The hardest part for me was keeping her calm as she's always been so excitable and full on. Good luck.

[Jillee]

OK...operation complete....the ligament was ruptured.she has had a TTO Triple Tibial Osteotomy, where the tibia is reshaped by making 3 cuts in it and realigned using plate and screws!!!! She is bandaged from hip to toe with a plastic cover over her foot to keep dry. She lays in a "puppy pen" and is really good. Bandages off Monday, Stitches out next Friday. Starts cartrophen injections, once weekly for 4 weeks initially. She is coping very well and doing well with toilet breaks ( Its not raining at present, dont know how that will go later as more rain forecast and she hates getting wet. Oh well....just press on So far , so good.

[Jillee]

Almost 2 weeks since the op and all going well. Vet pleased with the amount of use she has in the leg already. She has taken to the confinement really well for such an exciteable dog. She has an inside pen and an outside pen and when we are not here she is in a large crate. She is managing with her reduced diet and is keeping good condition. We have begun massaging the leg muscles and this week we will start manual physio on the leg and especially the stifle jopint. She seems to know we are helping her and is calm throghout!!! I would like to hydrobath her muscles too.....Anyone prefer penetrine or epsom salts for relaxation therapy?????> We realise to lift her and use rubber mats and No slipping but she is generally good and used to it. We mantain he r on Optimum dry food with beef or chicken stock and feed a wet dish...This seems to keep the bowels correct. She of course has limited firm treats too. I must ask the vet too wether she needs extra vitamins ( Vit D ) as she is indoors so much.....Well over to you all now for any extra advice...I would attach a couple of pics but I cant work out the attachment process Anyone????

[Jumabaar]

Sounds like your going great! No advice at this point because it sounds like you have everything covered.

[Jillee]

Hopefully these pics ok....Have had to resize twice....Pepper in inside and outside crates

[Jillee]

Operation appears to be very successful. Nearly 10 weeks now and she shows no adverse signs. She is powerfully walking ( still on lead for a couple more weeks) for half an hour morning and evening and sits "full square" with ease. She goes home to open yard next week and we have been very pleased with her. Hope anyone else thinking of the surgery would go ahead with it. Of course sensible future activities ( no dog park, or ball chasing) will prolong her health in this regard. Thanks everyone for you interest.