Dogs Cruciate Ligament Op done, still not using Leg
Discussion
My 12 year old faithful friend ( terrier/staffy cross ) tore his cruciate ligament in a back leg almost 5 weeks ago, despite not being insured, I had to give him the operation to put him right. £ 860.00 , at the time I was told it was unlikely he would use that leg for about 4 weeks or so.
I think maybe I should now be trying to encourage some use. as he tends to "hop" everywhere, holding his leg up.
If you get him to turn round or walk backwards he uses the leg but all forward movement is on three legs, anyone got experience or advice on how to encourage him?
I think maybe I should now be trying to encourage some use. as he tends to "hop" everywhere, holding his leg up.
If you get him to turn round or walk backwards he uses the leg but all forward movement is on three legs, anyone got experience or advice on how to encourage him?
I would recommend a hydrotherapy/ physio course. These are ideal for this scenario however it would've been better to start this a couple weeks post op ( it will still help now)
Is he still on pain relief?
I can offer some physio advice but it's hard to explain without visual assistance!
Does your vet know of any good canine rehab centres?
Is he still on pain relief?
I can offer some physio advice but it's hard to explain without visual assistance!
Does your vet know of any good canine rehab centres?
I had heard about hydro therapy but was under the impression that he would not begin using the leg for about 4 weeks, so had just kept him quiet in the garden poddling about, now thinking we should try something.
He is still on Tramadol, having finished Metacalm a week ago. Doesn't appear to be in any pain, even when stretching sometimes to look over worktops.
I massage his foot and leg while he is sat by me, hoping that will help him.
He seems just as fast over the ground on 3 legs only needing to stabilise occasionally with the "mended" leg.
He is still on Tramadol, having finished Metacalm a week ago. Doesn't appear to be in any pain, even when stretching sometimes to look over worktops.
I massage his foot and leg while he is sat by me, hoping that will help him.
He seems just as fast over the ground on 3 legs only needing to stabilise occasionally with the "mended" leg.
Hydro and physio is frustratingly under used as many vets still believe in the strict rest format. A good canine physio/hydro specialist will be able to format a safe plan that will not jeopardise the op.
The technique used for the op may make a difference as to what is used.
My Jimmy had both (for a very different reason) and he also had ultrasound therapy for deep massage.
For an example of a good centre look up these guys Chapel Farm Canine Rehabilitation Centre (Pensford, Bristol) Clair was really good with Jimmy (sadly hos condition was degenerative and I lost him last month but she did help him in the early part of his illness)
Massage is helpful but s physio will be able to show you safe exercises AMD stretches you can do at home to get those muscles of his working again. The longer he doesn't"t use it the more chance he has of atrophy occurring and becoming irreversible.
The technique used for the op may make a difference as to what is used.
My Jimmy had both (for a very different reason) and he also had ultrasound therapy for deep massage.
For an example of a good centre look up these guys Chapel Farm Canine Rehabilitation Centre (Pensford, Bristol) Clair was really good with Jimmy (sadly hos condition was degenerative and I lost him last month but she did help him in the early part of his illness)
Massage is helpful but s physio will be able to show you safe exercises AMD stretches you can do at home to get those muscles of his working again. The longer he doesn't"t use it the more chance he has of atrophy occurring and becoming irreversible.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 22 July 16:54
I'd also recommend hydrotherapy.
My Dobermann had a suspected cruciate partial tear or meniscus tear a few weeks back. The vet gave him doggie ibruprofen and we were limited to 10 mins on lead walks a day. He also had to be kept on a lead around the house as he's a bit hyper so used it to stop him leaping about. Being quite young (under a year) and a high energy dog, he's been a nightmare as he's not getting the exercise he needs so opted to use Hydrotherapy to give him non weight baring exercise and to make sure he was using the leg. This wasn't a massive problem as he'll use the leg anyway, Dobes seem to run even if in pain.
He hasn't had to have the op (touch wood it stays that way) but seems to be on the mend and attribute this to his strict no exercise regime and use of the pool. We've had great results with it and has also got the dog exercised.
On each visit, the people working there have said how funny Staffs are when they swim. Apparaently most of them are wired up so they do this crazy front crawl motion. If you go to hyrotherapy, prepare to get soaked!!
My Dobermann had a suspected cruciate partial tear or meniscus tear a few weeks back. The vet gave him doggie ibruprofen and we were limited to 10 mins on lead walks a day. He also had to be kept on a lead around the house as he's a bit hyper so used it to stop him leaping about. Being quite young (under a year) and a high energy dog, he's been a nightmare as he's not getting the exercise he needs so opted to use Hydrotherapy to give him non weight baring exercise and to make sure he was using the leg. This wasn't a massive problem as he'll use the leg anyway, Dobes seem to run even if in pain.
He hasn't had to have the op (touch wood it stays that way) but seems to be on the mend and attribute this to his strict no exercise regime and use of the pool. We've had great results with it and has also got the dog exercised.
On each visit, the people working there have said how funny Staffs are when they swim. Apparaently most of them are wired up so they do this crazy front crawl motion. If you go to hyrotherapy, prepare to get soaked!!
Enquired around local to me, Warwickshire, seems £25 per session, does that sound about right, I presume each case is different but are we talking a long course or could 4 or 5 do the trick ??
Tried to take for walk last night as a bit cooler, but he hopped the whole way round and was knackered after only 100 yds or so.
Tried to take for walk last night as a bit cooler, but he hopped the whole way round and was knackered after only 100 yds or so.
Jimmy never had the pool treatment (wasn't suitable for his condition), he had physio sessions followed by water treadmill. Initial session was £80 then it varied between £30-£60 per session twice a week for 2-3 months, until we realised the initial improvement with it started to receed. I was also given exercises to do with him every day at home with massage.
£25 sounds good value but I'd expect the 1st session to be more a consultation and setting up a plan than just getting straight into a pool, so would expect 1st appointments to be a bit more expensive.
I would also expect some physio/massage to be offered both at the session and to do at home. Water treadmill may be more gentle initially and encourage movement rather than straight into the pool where observing movement of the affected limb can be harder (and he will still try not to use it as well as he'd need to make the hydro worthwhile.
I would expect a good hydrotherapist to go through ALL of this with you!
£25 sounds good value but I'd expect the 1st session to be more a consultation and setting up a plan than just getting straight into a pool, so would expect 1st appointments to be a bit more expensive.
I would also expect some physio/massage to be offered both at the session and to do at home. Water treadmill may be more gentle initially and encourage movement rather than straight into the pool where observing movement of the affected limb can be harder (and he will still try not to use it as well as he'd need to make the hydro worthwhile.
I would expect a good hydrotherapist to go through ALL of this with you!
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