Hoover The Kelpie And His Ruptured Acl

[koalathebear]

Late last year, our 4 year old Kelpie Hoover, injured his ACL. It was quite an upsetting experience but we got through it and he's fine now, but I thought I'd share his story so that other people who might have to go through the same thing know what it's like.

On 30 September 2014 during a visit to the dog park, we noticed that Hoover was running a little strangely. He was still very, very fast and agile - but he was hopping a little. Around the house he wasn't limping at all - seemed to be walking normally and didn't seem to be in pain. So on 1 October 2014 we took him to the vet for a check up, hoping that it was just something very minor.

Unfortunately, it turned out that Stoic Hoover had struck again and he had damaged his knee. They told us that he had a "ruptured anterior (cranial) cruciate ligament" and would need some titanium parts bolted to his knee and 6-8 weeks of strict rest. It would cost $2,800, and we should do it as soon as possible before he damaged his left knee by putting all his weight on it. We seriously had no idea but apparently it was very obvious to the vet when she examined him - his leg was just kind of hanging

On 2 October 2014, we took Hoover in for x-rays. Dan was able to convince the vet staff that Hoover could lie still and did not need to be sedated. He was perfect, but definitely not too happy about it. One xray on his side, then this tricky one where they needed him flat on his back for a front-to-back view of the knee. Fiona was able to carry him and keep his leg in place while the nurse and Dan left the room

On 7 October 2014, we took him in for his ACL surgery and dropped him off in the morning. In the meanwhile, Dan had sectioned off all the stairs in the house and in the yard.

We picked him up in the evening. The surgery went well. He only tore half of his ligament which means that it was a sudden injury and not progressive. There was no damage to the meniscus.

He was very, very groggy and wretched though - Hoover has never handled anaesthesia very well.

His friends sent him get well wishes and promised gifts

He was very wretched and rested - although he was able to be taken outside on lead to toilet etc.

Friends delivered him gift to aid his recovery

He sunbaked outside under supervision

Edited May 3, 2015 by koalathebear

[koalathebear]

On 11 October, we took him back to the vet for a check-up and to get his bandage removed. Unfortunately he apparently had a really, really bad reaction to the bandage and the pain patch. Taking the bandage and pain patch off was extremely painful for him and he was very, very distressed even though he's usually incredibly stoic.

So he had to be bucketed with a collar that was ironically named the 'fun' collar. He was very wretched

Saddest Kelpie in the World ...

But he rested a lot

Edited May 3, 2015 by koalathebear

[koalathebear]

We found other ways to keep him from licking his inflamed skin - he hated the cone so here's the cone on his leg instead of his head.

Got a lot of cuddles and sympathy. He was crated and kept on leash for the first week or so.

Here he is with bunny, sheep and some frozen veggies on his sore leg

More friends sent him "get well" gifts to encourage him.

Edited May 3, 2015 by koalathebear

[koalathebear]

His fur was starting to grow back and he was able to go for short walks and he was doing some little stepping exercises around the house over an obstacle course. This was 25th October

This was 30 October 2014

This was 10 November 2014

And this was him at South Durras this year (March 2015) - fully recovered

Edited May 3, 2015 by koalathebear

[BarbedWire]

What a wonderful photographic journey record. Thanks for sharing and Hoover is a very lucky dog.

[Roova]

Hoover is indeed a very lucky dog. Great photos with that last one being a cracker! Welcome back to fun Hoover :)

[The Spotted Devil]

Wow! That's some journey. Thanks for sharing and that last photo on the beach says it all