Comments on: Our Story http://dogkneeligament.com Information on dog knee injuries and treatment options for torn/ruptured CCL in dogs Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:05:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-2895 Mary Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:05:54 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-2895 I have seen info on all the standard surgical procedures: TPLO, TTA, tightrope and traditional but does anyone have any experience with the "over and under" technique, technically referred to as a Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique (MRIT) and how it compares to any other procedures? I am leaning towards more aggressive conservative treatment as I have been allowing my black lab/herding mix dog to roam the house and small backyard but have discontinued his walks and ball throwing. He still walks on it, toe touches and is not totally lame but is increasingly compensating with the opposite leg. Doc has diagnosed his CCL as torn. Anybody have any info on this technique? Thanks for your help. I have seen info on all the standard surgical procedures: TPLO, TTA, tightrope and traditional but does anyone have any experience with the “over and under” technique, technically referred to as a Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique (MRIT) and how it compares to any other procedures? I am leaning towards more aggressive conservative treatment as I have been allowing my black lab/herding mix dog to roam the house and small backyard but have discontinued his walks and ball throwing. He still walks on it, toe touches and is not totally lame but is increasingly compensating with the opposite leg. Doc has diagnosed his CCL as torn.
Anybody have any info on this technique?
Thanks for your help.

]]> By: angie tuckere http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-2428 angie tuckere Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:15:39 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-2428 My dog was just diagnosed with a "possible" CCL tear and I have been concerned about whether to have surgery or not and these blogs have been very helpful in giving me the info. that the vet didn't. Thanks for sharing. My dog was just diagnosed with a “possible” CCL tear and I have been concerned about whether to have surgery or not and these blogs have been very helpful in giving me the info. that the vet didn’t. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Kim http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-2035 Kim Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:00:38 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-2035 my mother-in -laws dog is 11 years old and in a lot of pain. I have not read anything positive on any kind of surgery. The brace seems like the only option that might have some degree of success in her recovery.Does any body have any suggestions on what to do in the case of torn ligaments on an old dog? my mother-in -laws dog is 11 years old and in a lot of pain. I have not read anything positive on any kind of surgery. The brace seems like the only option that might have some degree of success in her recovery.Does any body have any suggestions on what to do in the case of torn ligaments on an old dog?

]]> By: sarah stone http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1616 sarah stone Mon, 30 May 2011 03:39:08 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1616 Heidi had her screws removed from her knee 2 wks ago Thursday. She still isn't putting any weight on her leg when she walks. She does use it to pee. She depositions it a few times, but keeps using it. She is also using it to go #2. Anyone elses dog torn all of the ligaments in their knee? Heidi had her screws removed from her knee 2 wks ago Thursday. She still isn’t putting any weight on her leg when she walks. She does use it to pee. She depositions it a few times, but keeps using it. She is also using it to go #2. Anyone elses dog torn all of the ligaments in their knee?

]]> By: Jeff http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1488 Jeff Sun, 08 May 2011 13:19:14 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1488 Long story short I stepped out of the house Friday morning and when I came back in Max (Havanese 9 mos) was hobbling around and would not put his back right leg down. I took him into the yard etc and he just kept limping and stumbling. Took him to the vet and they said it was a torn ACL and he would need surgery etc. It was most likely cause from extreme jumping, he's a little circus dog and jumps high into the air all the time, or at least did. Anyway, later that evening we were on the porch and he saw a squirrel and began pacing the porch like nothing happened and ever since then you would never know something is wrong? He's been jumping, going up and down the stairs, etc. Now I'm just concerned if he should go through the surgery or not and if that could be worse? He's on rimadyl, would that mask it this completely? Thanks! Long story short I stepped out of the house Friday morning and when I came back in Max (Havanese 9 mos) was hobbling around and would not put his back right leg down. I took him into the yard etc and he just kept limping and stumbling.

Took him to the vet and they said it was a torn ACL and he would need surgery etc. It was most likely cause from extreme jumping, he’s a little circus dog and jumps high into the air all the time, or at least did.

Anyway, later that evening we were on the porch and he saw a squirrel and began pacing the porch like nothing happened and ever since then you would never know something is wrong? He’s been jumping, going up and down the stairs, etc. Now I’m just concerned if he should go through the surgery or not and if that could be worse? He’s on rimadyl, would that mask it this completely?

Thanks!

]]> By: Darcy http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1381 Darcy Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:50:16 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1381 I have a Havanese who is 8 and just had surgery on both hind legs for Cruciate ligament repair. He tore one and we did not get x-rays then 2 weeks later he tore the other. We had x-rays done and both knees had torn. We had no option but to have surgery. Because of having both legs done at the same time we also have to go through 8 weeks of physical therapy twice a week. It's been a long road not to mention the expense. The left leg may not have been done tight enough because there is clicking in it and they might have to go back in to tighten it with another suture. At 14 I would really have to question having this done. I have a Havanese who is 8 and just had surgery on both hind legs for Cruciate ligament repair. He tore one and we did not get x-rays then 2 weeks later he tore the other. We had x-rays done and both knees had torn. We had no option but to have surgery. Because of having both legs done at the same time we also have to go through 8 weeks of physical therapy twice a week. It’s been a long road not to mention the expense. The left leg may not have been done tight enough because there is clicking in it and they might have to go back in to tighten it with another suture. At 14 I would really have to question having this done.

]]> By: sarah stone http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1371 sarah stone Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:54:06 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1371 My 3 yr old Doberman got hit by a car 4wks ago. It tore all the ligaments in her right rear knee plus her Meniscus. She had surgery 2 days later because her lungs were bruised causing her to have labored breathing. She could not use her leg at all and was in a lot of pain. We are on wk for now. She had 2 pins put in to stabilize her knee. The will be removed in 8 more weeks. She has been pretty good about being still. She is in our extra bathroom. She could not get into her kennel do to her knee. We have only given her sedatives one time. That was to get home from the vet. When we had her stitches and staples removed she kept trying to get up in the truck. We only let her out of the bathroom to go potty. Yesterday she slipped a little when standing in the laundry room. She cried for a few seconds so I gave her a pain pill/anti-inflammatory. She seems to be doing fine today. We have decided to keep her in the bathroom for a while even after she has her pins removed. The surgery cost 2496 and it is going to cost 200 to have the pins removed. She was in a lot of pain before the surgery and we don't want her to hurt it again playing with our other dogs before she is fully healed. The vet said she still may not put weight on that leg for a week or ap after the pins are removed. I think she will though. She already rest her toes on the ground when standing most of the time(they really don't want her doing this. They don't want her putting any weight on that leg.) I see her look at her bad leg like it is crazy for not moving with her other leg when she is going potty some times. They said she won't ever be a Olympic gold medalist, but she will have full use of her leg. We will see. She will get pins out May 12th My 3 yr old Doberman got hit by a car 4wks ago. It tore all the ligaments in her right rear knee plus her Meniscus. She had surgery 2 days later because her lungs were bruised causing her to have labored breathing. She could not use her leg at all and was in a lot of pain. We are on wk for now. She had 2 pins put in to stabilize her knee. The will be removed in 8 more weeks. She has been pretty good about being still. She is in our extra bathroom. She could not get into her kennel do to her knee. We have only given her sedatives one time. That was to get home from the vet. When we had her stitches and staples removed she kept trying to get up in the truck. We only let her out of the bathroom to go potty. Yesterday she slipped a little when standing in the laundry room. She cried for a few seconds so I gave her a pain pill/anti-inflammatory. She seems to be doing fine today. We have decided to keep her in the bathroom for a while even after she has her pins removed. The surgery cost 2496 and it is going to cost 200 to have the pins removed. She was in a lot of pain before the surgery and we don’t want her to hurt it again playing with our other dogs before she is fully healed. The vet said she still may not put weight on that leg for a week or ap after the pins are removed. I think she will though. She already rest her toes on the ground when standing most of the time(they really don’t want her doing this. They don’t want her putting any weight on that leg.) I see her look at her bad leg like it is crazy for not moving with her other leg when she is going potty some times. They said she won’t ever be a Olympic gold medalist, but she will have full use of her leg. We will see. She will get pins out May 12th

]]> By: em gomez http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1352 em gomez Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:39:51 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1352 Hello, We have a 5 yr old bichon frise who had surgery for torn ligaments 2 weeks ago. It has been a process with her, she reacted to the pain meds which made her pant and shake so the vet took her off those and she has been fine on anti-inflammatory meds. Nearing the two week mark she started getting frantic about wanting to tear off her bandage and the vet removed it and the staples. Today we have had to use tranquilizers and one of those things that go around the head to block chewing as she wanted to go at the wound. The real issue is that she has a couple of nasty pressure sores. the good news is that this vet is using a newer procedure and says she can walk 5-8 blocks now and could even jump off the sofa but cant run super fast like squirrel chasing for 2 more weeks (he says running and getting excited like that will override her pain awareness) At one month, he says she can have a rather normal life interms of activities but may take 3 months (for some dogs he says it can take up to 6 months) for her to start fully using her leg again. I took her out for a walk around the block today as I thought it would cheer her up and she mostly carried her leg but seemed to enjoy being out sniffing around and marking her territory. The vet said that the quicker recovery time has to do with her size and the newer procedure. Hello,

We have a 5 yr old bichon frise who had surgery for torn ligaments 2 weeks ago. It has been a process with her, she reacted to the pain meds which made her pant and shake so the vet took her off those and she has been fine on anti-inflammatory meds. Nearing the two week mark she started getting frantic about wanting to tear off her bandage and the vet removed it and the staples. Today we have had to use tranquilizers and one of those things that go around the head to block chewing as she wanted to go at the wound. The real issue is that she has a couple of nasty pressure sores. the good news is that this vet is using a newer procedure and says she can walk 5-8 blocks now and could even jump off the sofa but cant run super fast like squirrel chasing for 2 more weeks (he says running and getting excited like that will override her pain awareness) At one month, he says she can have a rather normal life interms of activities but may take 3 months (for some dogs he says it can take up to 6 months) for her to start fully using her leg again. I took her out for a walk around the block today as I thought it would cheer her up and she mostly carried her leg but seemed to enjoy being out sniffing around and marking her territory.

The vet said that the quicker recovery time has to do with her size and the newer procedure.

]]> By: Kim Langley http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1239 Kim Langley Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:15:54 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1239 Dear Sir I have a 2 year old Labradoodle who had his first crucia legament surgery last April and he was up and about very quickly and was doing great. Then in September he did his second crucia legament and we had him operated on that one as well. There was a lump that never went down on his second surgery, but we kept him as still as possible, Labradoodles are very well known as bouncy dogs. At the end of December he became lame again on the second leg that he had the operation on. It was his maniscus (hope I spelt that right). He was operated on 6 weeks ago. Straight after he had that operation, his leg became infected, we treated him for that. Tomorrow is his 6 weeks check up but we have had to rush him into the vets tonight because he is not using his leg very well. He can not lie and we have to carry him and then lie him on his side. He is in a very poor state. Can there be something that has gone wrong with his second operation on his second crucia legament. I am really worried, there is something bugging me about it. We need to know so that we can get him sorted once and for all so he can be his normal, happy and bouncy self. Please help me because I am not sure if the vet is putting the wool over my eyes. I really just do not know where to turn to. Thanking you in advance for any help. Best regards Kim Dear Sir

I have a 2 year old Labradoodle who had his first crucia legament surgery last April and he was up and about very quickly and was doing great. Then in September he did his second crucia legament and we had him operated on that one as well.

There was a lump that never went down on his second surgery, but we kept him as still as possible, Labradoodles are very well known as bouncy dogs. At the end of December he became lame again on the second leg that he had the operation on. It was his maniscus (hope I spelt that right). He was operated on 6 weeks ago. Straight after he had that operation, his leg became infected, we treated him for that. Tomorrow is his 6 weeks check up but we have had to rush him into the vets tonight because he is not using his leg very well. He can not lie and we have to carry him and then lie him on his side. He is in a very poor state.

Can there be something that has gone wrong with his second operation on his second crucia legament. I am really worried, there is something bugging me about it. We need to know so that we can get him sorted once and for all so he can be his normal, happy and bouncy self.

Please help me because I am not sure if the vet is putting the wool over my eyes. I really just do not know where to turn to.

Thanking you in advance for any help.

Best regards Kim

]]> By: Matt http://dogkneeligament.com/our-story/#comment-1226 Matt Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:50:36 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?page_id=2#comment-1226 Update numero dos. So our dog had his knee surgery on Wednesday... and it turns out he had a complete tear of his CCL and meniscus. The first doctor we saw diagnosed that exact problem but the second doc thought it was a partial tear because our dog never really showed too much lameness. He would limp rarely and would use the leg all the time. Anyways, the second doc did the surgery (about $1100 cheaper than the first doctor we saw) on Wed and we picked him up Friday. He was already bouncing around and looked like he never felt a thing. But we do have to keep him quiet for 6-8 weeks though. The two days he has been home hasn't been too hard as he can't go for long walks. Since we do let him sleep on the couch we have to pay attention and make sure we pick him up and take him off and we are blocking off the stairs. I think the pain meds are keeping him calm. We did get sedatives incase we need them when we are at work, but we don't want to use them unless absolutely necessary. Also, to my wife's dismay, i put our mattress onto the floor in a spare bedroom for the next two weeks, as the dog sleeps in bed with us and i don't want to worry about him jumping on/off the bed in the middle of the night, this way there is no jumping. We are going to do a checkup and maybe get the staples out next weekend, but further down the road on his recovery I will send an "update numero tres". Update numero dos.

So our dog had his knee surgery on Wednesday… and it turns out he had a complete tear of his CCL and meniscus. The first doctor we saw diagnosed that exact problem but the second doc thought it was a partial tear because our dog never really showed too much lameness. He would limp rarely and would use the leg all the time.

Anyways, the second doc did the surgery (about $1100 cheaper than the first doctor we saw) on Wed and we picked him up Friday. He was already bouncing around and looked like he never felt a thing. But we do have to keep him quiet for 6-8 weeks though. The two days he has been home hasn’t been too hard as he can’t go for long walks. Since we do let him sleep on the couch we have to pay attention and make sure we pick him up and take him off and we are blocking off the stairs. I think the pain meds are keeping him calm. We did get sedatives incase we need them when we are at work, but we don’t want to use them unless absolutely necessary.

Also, to my wife’s dismay, i put our mattress onto the floor in a spare bedroom for the next two weeks, as the dog sleeps in bed with us and i don’t want to worry about him jumping on/off the bed in the middle of the night, this way there is no jumping.

We are going to do a checkup and maybe get the staples out next weekend, but further down the road on his recovery I will send an “update numero tres”.

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