Older Dog With Cruciate Ligament Problem

[pawsaroundoz]

Hi,

My 9.5yr old Whippet had a cruciate ligament op just over 10 weeks ago, from which he appears to be recovering reasonably well although he has had days when he has not been happy at all and has also had spells of shivering, regardless of temp. but I think that op went reasonably well....but last night for no apparent reason he started limping on the other back leg, no accident or injury, but even this am he has been carrying the leg....I am concerned that:

1. This may be having a bad affect on the leg that is still recovering from the op.

2. If I somehow manage to find the 2 thousand dollars + to have the second leg fixed if this too is a cruciate ligament realistically will he have any sort of chance to be able to at least wander around a park ar whatever in a fairly normal way and still enjoy being a Whippet?

If anyone has been through all of this could you please give me some info....?

Clancy is much loved and I will go the big dollar route if required but I want to know if I do he will have some sort of enjoyable life still....

Thanks

Annie

[VizslaMomma]

I can only tell you about a lady I meet two weeks ago with a retired greyhound.

Her bitch now aged 9 had two accidents within a 4 month period. They completely stuffed the acls.

She found the monies for both surgeries. AND now has a happily recovering gal. She can walk, not allowed to run. But does a nice wander around a local track. And is loving her hydrotherapy.

Crate training had already happened and she could manage to keep the bitch quiet.

If you have a surgeon you trust, and trust very well, then consider the options.

Best wishes for Clancy and you, Annie.

[Podengo]

I run a hydrotherapy pool and see a couple of older dogs that have had cruciate repairs on one or both legs, they're all getting around pretty happily and comfortably at home and on walks.

[karly101]

It is a common occurrence to have the 2nd ACL fail just because suddenly its been loaded with all the weight from doing the first. If surgery is done before other problems set in that's where we tend to see the best recoveries ...he would still be able to go on walks again just not running around. If he were mine at 10 years and a basic bloods screen that was all normal then I could scrape the money together and do the 2nd leg. I would speak to the surgeon in regards to whether to do it straight away or give the first surgery more healing time.

[Xyz]

I work for orthopedic specialists and we frequently have referrals for dogs that have 2 cruciates requiring repair. We either do them both at once (preferable for smaller <15kg) dogs or where finances would simply not allow the second surgery, or 3 weeks apart by preference. It really shortens the recovery time (6 weeks crate rest with on leash walking only per leg, ie down to 9 weeks if done 3 weeks apart). We though only do TTA surgeries not de angelis repairs which it seems your boy had. Ask your surgeons opinion!!

[Jumabaar]

Typically cruciate disease is chronic and so there does not have to be an accident or injury to have the camels back break. Just the changes in the forces moving through his legs could be enough to have caused an already weak cruciate (due to damage from inflammation in the joint) to give up the ghost.

I have worked with plenty of very happy dogs post bilateral cruciate surgery who don't realise that they have had pretty major surgery. Certainly capable of a lot more than a 'wander around' and so we have quite a few on permanent exercise modification to minimise the progression of arthritis. Don't get me wrong- these dogs still get to zoom and play and enjoy life, we just make sure the game stops before they fatigue, chose surfaces carefully and modify the games played or who their playmates are. Much harder on their owners than on the dogs :laugh:

[VizslaMomma]

I am truly hoping the replies so far give Annie encouragement with this issues.

Such a worry for any owner to have to face.

But being given info is so great for decisions needed to be made.

DOL-ers help again.

Edited November 17, 2014 by VizslaMomma

[pawsaroundoz]

thank you for all the information, it has helped me, Clancy is due back to the vets next week for the 'sign off' on the first leg so I will be able to have a good discussion with surgery nurse and vet.

he has put weight down on the other leg again but is still very shaky and wobbly, I have cut back his walks a bit again.

Finding the dollars will not be easy but as long as he will be able to still enjoy his life I will...somehow! my boys are my only family.

Hopefully the news next week will not be that bad...

thanks again folks

annie

[OSoSwift]

My whippet - now 6.5 - had TPLO surgery for a damaged cruciate from a collision with our other Whippet. We tried crating etc etc but eventually it got to a point it had to be done. She is the smallest dog they have ever done a TPLO on.

It was a hard road after surgery as she is a complete woose. However in time she got around an 90% return to function but was not at a level where I was happy to train her in obedience agility etc. I started getting Bowen done on her regularly, put her on K9 naturals super fuel and bought a fit paws peanut and started physio. It has taken time but this weekend she is sound, fit and heading back I to the dog sport rings.

As they are a fairly light dog and at 10 generally reasonably fit and healthy I see no reason why, in time, he cannot be back having a run around the park!

Mine is also on Cartophen and RHVC

[OSoSwift]

Oh and she cannot have NSAID's so that doesn't help.