Comments on: Knee Ligament and Knee Joint Repair Options for Labrador Retrievers http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/ Information on dog knee injuries and treatment options for torn/ruptured CCL in dogs Fri, 04 May 2012 01:42:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Andi Back http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1401 Andi Back Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:40:51 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1401 I have this same question. My dog who is a 63lbs. Foxhound Coonhound mix has the same issue. He will run on it but after activity allows himself to limp. An orthopedic specialist said that he has anywhere from a 10 to 50% torn ACL and recommended surgery. I however cannot get the thought out of my head that there has to be some other option besides invasive painful surgery. Good Luck to you! If I find anything out I will be sure to post. I am really wondering if surgery is the best thing and if a partially torn ligament can heal itself without becoming horribly arthritic. I have read stories about restricting running and jumping and bracing the both knees, so the good one does not become torn and the other is supported. I have this same question. My dog who is a 63lbs. Foxhound Coonhound mix has the same issue. He will run on it but after activity allows himself to limp. An orthopedic specialist said that he has anywhere from a 10 to 50% torn ACL and recommended surgery. I however cannot get the thought out of my head that there has to be some other option besides invasive painful surgery. Good Luck to you! If I find anything out I will be sure to post. I am really wondering if surgery is the best thing and if a partially torn ligament can heal itself without becoming horribly arthritic. I have read stories about restricting running and jumping and bracing the both knees, so the good one does not become torn and the other is supported.

]]> By: Andi Back http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1400 Andi Back Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:35:52 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1400 In Feb. of this year 2011, my dog began limping mostly after walking in deep snow and then resting for some time. I took him to the vet the vet put him on Deramax and told me to have him rest for 2 weeks if he was still limping to bring him in. He continued to limp but mostly after activity. After x-rays and a second opinion from a known specialist in the area who stretched his knee and looked at the xrays, I was told my dog has any where from a 10 to 50% torn ACL. My dog is a 7 year old 65 lbs. fox-hound coon-hound mix. Needless to say he loves to run, is in great shape, and loves to jum up trees. The specialist suggests TTA or Tibial Tuberosity Advancment surgery which is 3000.oo. While I dont really have the money I want what is best for my dog. My regular vet said that he has had some success with Fish-line surgery in larger dogs but the specialist does not suggest this as my dog is 65 lbs and active. Both also said that there is a 50% chance even though he has this surgery he will tear the ACL in his other leg. I have been researching and there is so many horror stories out there about all of these surgeries. I worry about arthritis building up and him loosing muscle mass if I do not proceed with the surgeries, but I also have read some awful things about the side effects of the surgeries. I have read success stories about conservative managment, which I am open to, but really want the best for my dog. Is it possible for a partially torn ACL ro repair itself with restricted activity. I really just want what is best for my dog so he can live a life that is of quality and so he can be back up on his feet and running again without limping 20 minutes after his activity. Thank You!! In Feb. of this year 2011, my dog began limping mostly after walking in deep snow and then resting for some time. I took him to the vet the vet put him on Deramax and told me to have him rest for 2 weeks if he was still limping to bring him in. He continued to limp but mostly after activity. After x-rays and a second opinion from a known specialist in the area who stretched his knee and looked at the xrays, I was told my dog has any where from a 10 to 50% torn ACL.

My dog is a 7 year old 65 lbs. fox-hound coon-hound mix. Needless to say he loves to run, is in great shape, and loves to jum up trees. The specialist suggests TTA or Tibial Tuberosity Advancment surgery which is 3000.oo. While I dont really have the money I want what is best for my dog. My regular vet said that he has had some success with Fish-line surgery in larger dogs but the specialist does not suggest this as my dog is 65 lbs and active. Both also said that there is a 50% chance even though he has this surgery he will tear the ACL in his other leg.

I have been researching and there is so many horror stories out there about all of these surgeries. I worry about arthritis building up and him loosing muscle mass if I do not proceed with the surgeries, but I also have read some awful things about the side effects of the surgeries.

I have read success stories about conservative managment, which I am open to, but really want the best for my dog. Is it possible for a partially torn ACL ro repair itself with restricted activity. I really just want what is best for my dog so he can live a life that is of quality and so he can be back up on his feet and running again without limping 20 minutes after his activity. Thank You!!

]]> By: Anne http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1387 Anne Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:12:02 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1387 Hi! Our dog Coach is a yellow lab/part hound mix. She tore her ACL in one new while on a routine walk. It wasn't bad, she didn't put weight on it for a month and we did the conservative management for about 6 months. If finally tore all the way and she needed the surgery. Of course this all happened when I was 8 months pregnant with twins! So she had the surgery in April and it was tough to watch her recover. The first week was the worst, but after the second week she was so much better. My husband had to carry her around (up the stairs and put her on the couch). It took a full 6-8 weeks before she was totally fine. So glad I did it. BTW...the cost was around $900. Then in July, she tore the other one totally and we went through the whole process again. In the end, I am happy we followed through with the surgery. We had to really budget our money, especially with the twins, but I am thankful in the end. It's been a year since the first surgery and Coach is doing awesome. She runs around in the backyard now and loves the warmer weather. We still hear a slight clicking sometimes, but the vet said that was okay. The is the best dog I have every had and I am so happy she had the surgery! Let me know if you have any questions! Hi! Our dog Coach is a yellow lab/part hound mix. She tore her ACL in one new while on a routine walk. It wasn’t bad, she didn’t put weight on it for a month and we did the conservative management for about 6 months. If finally tore all the way and she needed the surgery. Of course this all happened when I was 8 months pregnant with twins! So she had the surgery in April and it was tough to watch her recover. The first week was the worst, but after the second week she was so much better. My husband had to carry her around (up the stairs and put her on the couch). It took a full 6-8 weeks before she was totally fine. So glad I did it. BTW…the cost was around $900. Then in July, she tore the other one totally and we went through the whole process again. In the end, I am happy we followed through with the surgery. We had to really budget our money, especially with the twins, but I am thankful in the end. It’s been a year since the first surgery and Coach is doing awesome. She runs around in the backyard now and loves the warmer weather. We still hear a slight clicking sometimes, but the vet said that was okay. The is the best dog I have every had and I am so happy she had the surgery! Let me know if you have any questions!

]]> By: Flymomrn http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1385 Flymomrn Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:49:24 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1385 We have a 2 year old yellow lab (Mom was a basset hound but she looks 100% lab) who began limping off and on about 2 months ago. She won't put weight on her leg when she first starts moving after laying down, but puts weight on it more as the day goes by. She is still very active and can run great even without using the back left leg. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, even when I have manipulated her leg to check her for injuries. She is in excellent physical condition (not sure what she weighs right now, last time she was weighed she was 66 pounds, but I think she is probably closer to 80 now but she looks to be a healthy wt for her size). The vet saw her yesterday and thinks she has a ruptured CCL and that she needs surgery. We are taking her back to the vet today so that he can sedate her and manipulate her leg more without hurting her and also take some x-rays. We can not afford surgery for her now, but don't want her to develop worse problems if we don't do the surgery. (As a side note...I learned to be very careful what you say to a kid who is concerned about their dog. I told my 9 year old son that the vet was going to put Tawny to sleep to examine her better, but he started sobbing as soon as he heard that the vet was "putting Tawny to sleep" as he thought I meant that she was going to die, not just be examined under anesthesia. Luckily, he heard me say x-ray and I was able to reassure him that his dog was not going to be "put to sleep" that way). The look on his face at the thought of losing his dog was heartbreaking. Since she is able to run and play without using that back left leg, how important is it that she have the surgery? We have a 2 year old yellow lab (Mom was a basset hound but she looks 100% lab) who began limping off and on about 2 months ago. She won’t put weight on her leg when she first starts moving after laying down, but puts weight on it more as the day goes by. She is still very active and can run great even without using the back left leg. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain, even when I have manipulated her leg to check her for injuries. She is in excellent physical condition (not sure what she weighs right now, last time she was weighed she was 66 pounds, but I think she is probably closer to 80 now but she looks to be a healthy wt for her size).
The vet saw her yesterday and thinks she has a ruptured CCL and that she needs surgery. We are taking her back to the vet today so that he can sedate her and manipulate her leg more without hurting her and also take some x-rays. We can not afford surgery for her now, but don’t want her to develop worse problems if we don’t do the surgery.
(As a side note…I learned to be very careful what you say to a kid who is concerned about their dog. I told my 9 year old son that the vet was going to put Tawny to sleep to examine her better, but he started sobbing as soon as he heard that the vet was “putting Tawny to sleep” as he thought I meant that she was going to die, not just be examined under anesthesia. Luckily, he heard me say x-ray and I was able to reassure him that his dog was not going to be “put to sleep” that way). The look on his face at the thought of losing his dog was heartbreaking.
Since she is able to run and play without using that back left leg, how important is it that she have the surgery?

]]> By: Isla's mom http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1223 Isla's mom Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:38:15 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1223 I live up two flights of stairs and this helped my girl beyond measure with two separate surgeries. The sling-type harnesses just tipped her forward and slid around too much during the turn between flights of stairs. It also helped save my back getting her in and out of my truck. I live up two flights of stairs and this helped my girl beyond measure with two separate surgeries. The sling-type harnesses just tipped her forward and slid around too much during the turn between flights of stairs. It also helped save my back getting her in and out of my truck.

]]> By: Isla's mom http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1222 Isla's mom Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:32:13 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1222 Anyone have any advice for me? I have a female black lab, about 75 lbs., who tore her left knee three weeks after whelping last April. I raised her and had no issues prior to her pregnancy, and took great pains to feed her well when she was pregnant. Anyway, had to wean the pups and she had TPLO surgery on that leg in May. That leg has healed well and seems to give her no trouble. However, ten weeks or so after that surgery, she blew her OTHER knee and tore the meniscus. My vet recommended the fishing line surgery (which he called the "floaty Angelo" surgery, though I can find nothing searching this term), and I went ahead with that one. Well and good, slow rehab and used the HELPEMUP harness which was a Godsend (www.helpemup.com). Now it's February and we are in the midst of a massive winter, over 300 inches now, and she's been fairly idle but every other day or so she gets a mild walk in on flat ground, though once the snow is about 6 inches deep it troubles her. Every time she gets any exercise at all in the past couple of weeks she comes up dead lame on the fishing line leg. I give her Rimadyl and a warm bed, then a day of idleness and she improves but not 100%. She gets Glucosamine in her dog chow. She's not a big eater but has gained weight from inactivity, which is not helping. What I'm wondering is if this fishing line surgery has failed somehow or if the combination of cold/idleness is troubling her. Has anyone dealt with a broken fishing line surgery? I am not even remotely ready to pay for a third surgery in less than a year... but wondering if I have to, would it make sense to do the TPLO on that leg as well or re-do the fishing line? Pretty discouraged myself but she's a great gal, not a whiner, and is a mellow dog so is happy to take it easy most of the time. PS my spamblocker will tell you I didn't get your emails, but once they land there I can retrieve them. Thanks! Anyone have any advice for me? I have a female black lab, about 75 lbs., who tore her left knee three weeks after whelping last April. I raised her and had no issues prior to her pregnancy, and took great pains to feed her well when she was pregnant. Anyway, had to wean the pups and she had TPLO surgery on that leg in May. That leg has healed well and seems to give her no trouble. However, ten weeks or so after that surgery, she blew her OTHER knee and tore the meniscus. My vet recommended the fishing line surgery (which he called the “floaty Angelo” surgery, though I can find nothing searching this term), and I went ahead with that one. Well and good, slow rehab and used the HELPEMUP harness which was a Godsend (www.helpemup.com). Now it’s February and we are in the midst of a massive winter, over 300 inches now, and she’s been fairly idle but every other day or so she gets a mild walk in on flat ground, though once the snow is about 6 inches deep it troubles her. Every time she gets any exercise at all in the past couple of weeks she comes up dead lame on the fishing line leg. I give her Rimadyl and a warm bed, then a day of idleness and she improves but not 100%. She gets Glucosamine in her dog chow. She’s not a big eater but has gained weight from inactivity, which is not helping.

What I’m wondering is if this fishing line surgery has failed somehow or if the combination of cold/idleness is troubling her. Has anyone dealt with a broken fishing line surgery? I am not even remotely ready to pay for a third surgery in less than a year… but wondering if I have to, would it make sense to do the TPLO on that leg as well or re-do the fishing line? Pretty discouraged myself but she’s a great gal, not a whiner, and is a mellow dog so is happy to take it easy most of the time.

PS my spamblocker will tell you I didn’t get your emails, but once they land there I can retrieve them. Thanks!

]]> By: Maximilian http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1221 Maximilian Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:48:34 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1221 Hi Mitch, Please read my posts below... We were VERY successful with the microfilament sx. I no of no "in stone" requirement that Vets must abide by to perform one sx proc. over another re: torn ACLs. The Vet assesses each dog as it presents, and considers the owner wishes as to what is best from a sx perspective.... Both of my black lab mixes (> 100 lbs. each, Gus is 120 lbs.) had the lateral AND medial microfilament sx by Dr. Jack Miller, Charlotte, NC. He IS excellent and we have never had any subsequent probs. As advised, we had to get their wt. down before sx and keep it off...AND make sure they took it VERY VERY VERY easy during the healing period afterwards - about 8 wks. for us - and only going out for potty. We didn't need to crate, but it's an option. I chose this sx b/c of the later cancer risk that seems to develop within a couple of yrs. post TPLO sx. Perhaps you could inquire further of Dr. Miller... Your Vet could fix the one line that has broken with stronger line or add more lines for strength - at a reduced rate, hopefully. I'm assuming you're following the post op "slow-down" period requirements to the letter. And it's hard b/c they start to feel so much better so quickly and want to run! I wish you both well, Mitch. Hi Mitch,

Please read my posts below… We were VERY successful with the microfilament sx.

I no of no “in stone” requirement that Vets must abide by to perform one sx proc. over another re: torn ACLs. The Vet assesses each dog as it presents, and considers the owner wishes as to what is best from a sx perspective….

Both of my black lab mixes (> 100 lbs. each, Gus is 120 lbs.) had the lateral AND medial microfilament sx by Dr. Jack Miller, Charlotte, NC. He IS excellent and we have never had any subsequent probs. As advised, we had to get their wt. down before sx and keep it off…AND make sure they took it VERY VERY VERY easy during the healing period afterwards – about 8 wks. for us – and only going out for potty. We didn’t need to crate, but it’s an option. I chose this sx b/c of the later cancer risk that seems to develop within a couple of yrs. post TPLO sx. Perhaps you could inquire further of Dr. Miller…

Your Vet could fix the one line that has broken with stronger line or add more lines for strength – at a reduced rate, hopefully. I’m assuming you’re following the post op “slow-down” period requirements to the letter. And it’s hard b/c they start to feel so much better so quickly and want to run!

I wish you both well, Mitch.

]]> By: mitch http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1218 mitch Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:33:23 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1218 The vet did do the surgery. He said he put 2 lines in, and thinks one has broken and one might still be in tact. Do you know where I can find info that suggest that the surgery shouldn't be done on dogs over 80lbs? Thanks -Mitch The vet did do the surgery. He said he put 2 lines in, and thinks one has broken and one might still be in tact. Do you know where I can find info that suggest that the surgery shouldn’t be done on dogs over 80lbs?

Thanks
-Mitch

]]> By: Kenneth http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1215 Kenneth Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:02:51 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1215 Hi Mitch - So the vet actually did the extracapsular ("fishing line") repair on your dog? From everything I've heard, that is very uncommon and not recommended to do on dogs over 80 lbs, I've even heard it isn't recommended for dogs over 60 lbs. I'd talk with the vet, I have a hard time believing that a vet would do a surgery that they were sure wouldnt' take. Hi Mitch -

So the vet actually did the extracapsular (“fishing line”) repair on your dog? From everything I’ve heard, that is very uncommon and not recommended to do on dogs over 80 lbs, I’ve even heard it isn’t recommended for dogs over 60 lbs. I’d talk with the vet, I have a hard time believing that a vet would do a surgery that they were sure wouldnt’ take.

]]> By: mitch http://dogkneeligament.com/surgical-options/knee-ligament-and-knee-joint-repair-options-for-labrador-retrievers/#comment-1213 mitch Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:16:21 +0000 http://dogkneeligament.com/?p=17#comment-1213 Hi, My 110lb lab just blew his knee out at 5 weeks too. All he did was stand up and I heard it pop. Vet says that the "fishing lines" are only good for 80 lbs. I feel like he really didnt have a chance for a full recovery. He is isnt any better now than pre surgery. The Vet said they would knock 20% off the TPLO surgery. Just wondering how things turned out for you? -Mitch Hi, My 110lb lab just blew his knee out at 5 weeks too. All he did was stand up and I heard it pop. Vet says that the “fishing lines” are only good for 80 lbs. I feel like he really didnt have a chance for a full recovery. He is isnt any better now than pre surgery. The Vet said they would knock 20% off the TPLO surgery. Just wondering how things turned out for you?
-Mitch

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