Cruciate ligament rupture and surgery
Discussion
Sula, my flat-coated retriever, has managed to tear/rupture her cruciate ligament (she has now been renamed hoppy).
My vet has confirmed this by xray and referred her to an orthopaedic specialist who is going to perform TPLO surgery on her. From a quick google this seems pretty intrusive as it involves cutting bone however my vet has assured me it's the best way to treat the injury. We've also been told that aftercare and rehabilitation is very strict, dog to be under constant supervision for the first 4 weeks etc etc.
Just wondered if anyone else on here has had this experience with their dog?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Really looking for a positive story to lift my spirits as I'm feeling a bit down about it all, and worrying about my best friend.
My vet has confirmed this by xray and referred her to an orthopaedic specialist who is going to perform TPLO surgery on her. From a quick google this seems pretty intrusive as it involves cutting bone however my vet has assured me it's the best way to treat the injury. We've also been told that aftercare and rehabilitation is very strict, dog to be under constant supervision for the first 4 weeks etc etc.
Just wondered if anyone else on here has had this experience with their dog?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Really looking for a positive story to lift my spirits as I'm feeling a bit down about it all, and worrying about my best friend.
If it was a small breed dog you may get away with rest etc but a large breed surgery really is the right option.
TPLO is a good reliable technique and good recovery should be expected.
I would strongly advise hydrotherapy and physio once the op site has healed. A good hydro centre will guide you accordingly.
It's understandable to be concerned but it is a common injury so a frequently performed surgery.
Sorry to ask personal question (from your dogs point of view) but is she ideal weight or overweight?
TPLO is a good reliable technique and good recovery should be expected.
I would strongly advise hydrotherapy and physio once the op site has healed. A good hydro centre will guide you accordingly.
It's understandable to be concerned but it is a common injury so a frequently performed surgery.
Sorry to ask personal question (from your dogs point of view) but is she ideal weight or overweight?
Thanks for the reply Bex.
Unfortunately she is a bit overweight. She's large for a female of this breed and is 38kg, she should really be 32-35kg. I've already halved her food in preparation for surgery and her not getting any exercise.
The breeder also recommended physio after the op, however it's not been mentioned by my vet or the specialist so far. Tbh I'm not sure if there is anyone local to me, I'm in West Lothian, Scotland.
Unfortunately she is a bit overweight. She's large for a female of this breed and is 38kg, she should really be 32-35kg. I've already halved her food in preparation for surgery and her not getting any exercise.
The breeder also recommended physio after the op, however it's not been mentioned by my vet or the specialist so far. Tbh I'm not sure if there is anyone local to me, I'm in West Lothian, Scotland.
Good move, weight can increase the risk of cruciate damage initially and can reduce how well it will heal after surgery. Getting her down to her correct weight will help a lot and hopefully reduce the risk of it happening to her other ligament.
Good luck, it'll be fine
.
Had a quick look, no couldn't see one in West Lothian but I don't know what may be in the surrounding area. The orthopaedic surgeon may know of someone, I like to think more and more orthopaedic surgeons are open to the idea of hydro and physio these days, they definitely help.
Good luck, it'll be fine
.Had a quick look, no couldn't see one in West Lothian but I don't know what may be in the surrounding area. The orthopaedic surgeon may know of someone, I like to think more and more orthopaedic surgeons are open to the idea of hydro and physio these days, they definitely help.
bexVN said:
If it was a small breed dog you may get away with rest etc but a large breed surgery really is the right option.
TPLO is a good reliable technique and good recovery should be expected.
My last Great Dane TPLO on both rear legs in his first 18 months. He ended up an 85kg bouncing bundle of fun and had no issues thereafter. TPLO is a good reliable technique and good recovery should be expected.
ali_kat said:
Bex wasn't there another dog owner that had to do this some time, iirc he wasn't sure if he should do it or not? and the thread got heated for a while
But he found the £££ & it was a success
Yes there was, I remember the surgical technique was not one I was familiar with and yes the surgery did happen.But he found the £££ & it was a success
Catz said:
Sula, my flat-coated retriever, has managed to tear/rupture her cruciate ligament (she has now been renamed hoppy).
My vet has confirmed this by xray and referred her to an orthopaedic specialist who is going to perform TPLO surgery on her. From a quick google this seems pretty intrusive as it involves cutting bone however my vet has assured me it's the best way to treat the injury. We've also been told that aftercare and rehabilitation is very strict, dog to be under constant supervision for the first 4 weeks etc etc.
Just wondered if anyone else on here has had this experience with their dog?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Really looking for a positive story to lift my spirits as I'm feeling a bit down about it all, and worrying about my best friend.
My retriever (also overweight) had his TPLO op back in January. Thinking back - and seeing him spread out on the couch when I came home yesterday - I wonder what all the worrying was for? My vet has confirmed this by xray and referred her to an orthopaedic specialist who is going to perform TPLO surgery on her. From a quick google this seems pretty intrusive as it involves cutting bone however my vet has assured me it's the best way to treat the injury. We've also been told that aftercare and rehabilitation is very strict, dog to be under constant supervision for the first 4 weeks etc etc.
Just wondered if anyone else on here has had this experience with their dog?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Really looking for a positive story to lift my spirits as I'm feeling a bit down about it all, and worrying about my best friend.
Hope it all goes well for you both
Follow the rehabilitation guidelines and she'll be fine!
bexVN said:
I would strongly advise hydrotherapy and physio once the op site has healed. A good hydro centre will guide you accordingly.
The specialist I used recommended hydrotherapy only if there was a great need to get the dog rehabilitated sooner (i.e a competition dog, show dog). He said the leg muscles will gradually strengthen over time with normal walks. Which, after his last checkup, has proved to be the case with mine.
I know jasnadlules and myself bang on about it but change her diet to raw food and just give her about 600g of food (RAW) a day. My lab was the saem weight as your flattie and had issues with his back leg and reducing the food and switching to RAW has certainly helped him.
Did you post this on the gundgog forum? Seem to remember reading the same thing. If not read this one
http://www.gundogtrainingforum.co.uk/phpbb/viewtop...
Did you post this on the gundgog forum? Seem to remember reading the same thing. If not read this one
http://www.gundogtrainingforum.co.uk/phpbb/viewtop...
True. If you can get hold of certain things (trachea for example for cartilage), this may help as well.
But I will say you must stick to the exercise regime set out - this will help build up the strength and movement correctly. Bear in mind our dog was 11 stone worth of Newfie and she was still fine after her Op(s), quite able to walk 30-40mins in due course.
But I will say you must stick to the exercise regime set out - this will help build up the strength and movement correctly. Bear in mind our dog was 11 stone worth of Newfie and she was still fine after her Op(s), quite able to walk 30-40mins in due course.
Our bulldog has recently undergone a 2nd TPLO surgery. We are now 3 weeks into the rehabilitation period. He recovered perfectly after the op on the first leg and things seem to be going well this time. What surprised us each time was how quickly he was up and wanting to use the leg, it is really important to not let them over do it in the first few weeks - take it slow and steady, and follow the exercise plan and restrictions (no steps or stairs etc) that the specialist will give you.
Jasandjules said:
But I will say you must stick to the exercise regime set out - this will help build up the strength and movement correctly. Bear in mind our dog was 11 stone worth of Newfie and she was still fine after her Op(s), quite able to walk 30-40mins in due course.
Got the post op blurb from the East Neuk Vet Clinic where she's having surgery.Weeks 0-4 - Direct supervision and on the leash toileting only. No playing, climbing, stairs, slippery floors ... going to have to redesign the house!
Weeks 4-8 - 2/3 x 15 min walks on the leash. Allowed to negotiate stairs.
Weeks 8-10 - 2 x 30 min walks on the leash.
Weeks 10-14 - Gradually increase walk time and allowed short periods off leash.
It's going to be a long haul but hopefully worth it.
Sexual Chocolate said:
Did you post this on the gundgog forum?
That is far removed from ours, which was (from memory and forgive me it was several years ago now, at least the second OP, the first was more than 10 years ago):
Week 1 1 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 2 2 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 3 3 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 4 4 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 5 and 6 was a five 5 & 6 min walk 4-6 times per day respectively.
Then after that each day increase walk time by 20-30 seconds and reduce to four times a day.
Week 1 1 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 2 2 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 3 3 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 4 4 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 5 and 6 was a five 5 & 6 min walk 4-6 times per day respectively.
Then after that each day increase walk time by 20-30 seconds and reduce to four times a day.
Catz said:
Got the post op blurb from the East Neuk Vet Clinic where she's having surgery.
Weeks 0-4 - Direct supervision and on the leash toileting only. No playing, climbing, stairs, slippery floors ... going to have to redesign the house!
Weeks 4-8 - 2/3 x 15 min walks on the leash. Allowed to negotiate stairs.
Weeks 8-10 - 2 x 30 min walks on the leash.
Weeks 10-14 - Gradually increase walk time and allowed short periods off leash.
It's going to be a long haul but hopefully worth it.
We have just had a double cruciate done to our italian mastiff by east nuekWeeks 0-4 - Direct supervision and on the leash toileting only. No playing, climbing, stairs, slippery floors ... going to have to redesign the house!
Weeks 4-8 - 2/3 x 15 min walks on the leash. Allowed to negotiate stairs.
Weeks 8-10 - 2 x 30 min walks on the leash.
Weeks 10-14 - Gradually increase walk time and allowed short periods off leash.
It's going to be a long haul but hopefully worth it.
He has an excellent name for this kind of thing
Also if you are near aberdeen the K9 hydro have been a huge help
Jasandjules said:
That is far removed from ours, which was (from memory and forgive me it was several years ago now, at least the second OP, the first was more than 10 years ago):
Week 1 1 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 2 2 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 3 3 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 4 4 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 5 and 6 was a five 5 & 6 min walk 4-6 times per day respectively.
Then after that each day increase walk time by 20-30 seconds and reduce to four times a day.
That is painstakingly slow! Good on you for sticking to it but I've never seen an exercise regime like that before.Week 1 1 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 2 2 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 3 3 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 4 4 min walk 4-6 times per day
Week 5 and 6 was a five 5 & 6 min walk 4-6 times per day respectively.
Then after that each day increase walk time by 20-30 seconds and reduce to four times a day.
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