-
Recently Written
- Tips to getting any supplement for your dog
- Early detection of liver disease
- Tips on vaccinating your dog
- Help Animals Today!
- Having Trouble Medicating Fido?
- What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Antibiotics
- Housebreaking Trouble? Sweat No More!
- I Love Singapore!
- Singapore National Dog Walk Day
- Important tips on feeding your dog
-
Categories
-
Archives
-
RSS Subscriptions
 |
Subscribe To Our Newsletters & Get A FREE eBook On Homemade Dog Food!
RSS
May
10
ACL : Cruciate ligament damage in dogs (Casper’s Experience)
May 10, 2007 |
Day 1
I am writing this article on ACL as I am going thru this ordeal with my casper. Casper has always been an active an agile little fellow. During play with a good doggie pal last week, I heard a pop sound and he stopped running immediately with his left hind leg lifted. I knew for sure he must have hurt himself and check for any fracture, luckily, no bone fracture but he is not moving well and bearing any weight on his leg. Took him to his regular vet and was told to go for a second opinion by a specialised vet orthopedic. It was only after seeing the orthopedic, I found out that he broke his ligament. It just takes a wrong force to impact the knee joint to tear the ligament. Luckily, I took him to the vet to get him checked just to be safe that it is nothing serious but to my dismay, it is more serious than I thought.
All along, I though leg injuries are common in dogs but after much research on the internet about torn ligament and talking to his orthopedic vet, I went ahead with the surgery today after realising that torn or broken ligament do not heal itself, surgery is necessary to ensure he do not loose the use of his left hind leg and the scar tissue heals properly to take over the job of the ligament.
The vet just called me about half an hour ago and told me that the surgery went well. He has more then raptured his ligament, he even had his cartilage inbetween his joints raptured. If I had not gone for the surgery, full recovery for casper is almost impossible.
I Will update casper’s situation and recovery in my blog. Till then, if you suspect your pet is not bearing any weight on any of her leg after a fall or impact, bring him to the vet immediately to have an analysis done to avoid long term damage to the tissue/bone. It is just not worth it to just “let it be” which most of us tend to do, including myself. I almost didnt want to bring casper to the vet but something in my gut told me to just do it. I’m blessed, what can I say. :o)
When I brought casper back home that evening of his operation. He looks totally offbeat. Listless and had no appetite for food just wanted to sleep and sleep. He has a bandage on him as well to prevent him from bending his knees. The vet told me he needs to keep his bandage on for proper healing of the joints to take place. He can only slee on one side and I know he is uncomfortable. The bandaged knee seems longer then his other hind legs thus making movement difficult, they had to straightened out the leg during bandage for good recovery.
Day 3
Casper was up and about, moving either with his bum and 2 forelegs or hopping with 3 legs which terrify me as I’m afraid he might slip and fall. I had to observe his movement as he is still wants to move around alot even with a leg bandaged and difficulty in moving. To prevent him from making the wrong move, I carried him around the house as it is his habit to follow me perpertually when I am home, I end up toning up my arms. haha.
Day 4
Casper was REALLY moving about. His appetite has not kicked in full swing yet but he wants to move about alot. I placed non-slip mats on places he likes to go so he could exercise his other 3 legs as well as preventing him from slipping. Also, he is starting to chew his bandages as the ends of the bandanges are itching him.
I had to put on an e-collar for him to prevent him from further damaging his skin. Some parts are already raw from his constant chewing when I wasn’t watching. I hope his e-collar stays in place today as I leave home for work for the whole day.
Day 5 - Day 12
Casper is getting more comfortable moving around with his 3 legs hoping like a rabbit anywhere he goes. I had to keep a look out for him all the time and as he likes to tag around me, i carried him around most time instead to avoid him slipping on my laminated wood flooring which is really slipperly. I ended up having a backache for one whole week. I learnt how to carry him properly today. With both my legs bended when picking them up!!
Other then having some heat rash on his injured leg from the bandages that was on him before taken off, he is doing fine and still having an eCollar on him as I need to ensure he do not lick his wound. He is also putting on some weight on his injured hind leg. That is a good sign so as to avoid his muscles wasting away from now using his injured leg.
The vet checked on him on 17th May, 8 days after operation, he was fine except for the rash. Next visit to the vet will be on the 1st June. His appetite has picked up and now back to his usual serving.
All is well I must say. ;o)
8 Weeks after operation
Casper is now doing fine. Just like before. He is moving about with his 4 legs now with slight hop once a while but showing improvements as days goes on. His injured leg is getting stronger too. His last review by the vet over the weekend proves the operation is very successful and his joint is now stable. The vet is expecting him to use more of his legs and adviced us to get him to swim more regularly to improve his muscle tone.
All is well… This will be my last update on casper’s cruciate ligament experience ;o)
Print This Post
Email This Post
Comments
Greedy dogs in Action Stop Sales Of Dogs and Cats In Pet Shops Sex toys for your dogs Pet food Recall Scare no more Forbidden Food and Treats for your pooch!