Cruicate damage then cartlidge gone

[cockerdaft]

I have gone over the very interesting topic posted on the forum on Cruiciate damage .

My cocker dog (3) had a cruicate op' and seemed to be doing realy well.He was light exercising and walking nice and even of the leash.
Last week he started limping badly and after a consultation with my vet he underwent cartlidge removal(3 quarters removed)
It seemed the cartlidge gave way and had to be removed.

He is back on light exercise for a fortnight and then back onto the gradual process all over again..

Has anybody else experienced this operation following cruicaite damage and if so what has the end result been?
I am aware of arthritis setting in but just how would this affect a dog and how much less an animal would i end up with(from a shooting active dog point of view)

Any help or advise would be strongly welcomed as i am at my tethers end with keeping him caged up most of the day.This will be 4 months.
Will this leg end up strong enough for the rigors of a shooting day.

Thankyou

Cockerdaft
Jim.

[Rascal]

Yes I have, Fizz our spaniel had TPLO surgery and her meniscus tore afterwards this was repaired and after following the vets instructions she was fine. I know what you mean about being at the end of your tether but bear with it, the end result for her was she's now done two full seasons picking up and apart from not a very pretty gait she's fine.

Hope you get the same result.

Rascal

[cockerdaft]

Thanks Rascal.

Very comforting to know this.

Please explain what you mean "Not a very pretty gait" Does she have a slight limp on the dodgy leg and is she lifting her shoulder higher than the other?
Will this last or will it disappear?

Thanks again for your reply.

Jim

[Rascal]

Difficult to describe really and it was her back leg/s (she had two ) so no effect on her shoulder as such but her right back leg comes out slightly sideways as she runs, hasn't slowed the little blighter down any though..


Speak to your vet about Physio.


Rascal

[cockerdaft]

ok Rascal.

I should not of said shoulder,it's his right back leg that has a slight lift on it when he trots or walks just up pace..Early days again though!

I will talk to my vet.

Thankyou


Jim

[ryanpartridge1]

as you have probably read through it ill try and keep it short, but mine had a fishing wire op first and was having rehab but wasnt getting better he went back to the vets and had to go see a consultant down exeter they said something else could be wrong as well but would look when they were doing the op, he had the TTA done, it turns out that he had a massive tear in the cartlidge so they removed most of it. he is 7 weeks and 3 days into it and he is doing so well he is allowed in the fields for a short while now and you wouldnt even know he has had a big op, he will never be 100% again but he is allowed to go picking up this season rather than in the line, i know what your going through its horrible, my dog wasnt in a cage though he was just confined to the kitchen as the consultant said he still needs to move around and use the leg and been in a cage he cant do this, maybe each one has different views on it so each to there own but i know how you feel, he does shift the weight about now and again and hes on joint aid for life but you will be able to take him shooting again, my dogs foot does point out slightly when he walks but i was told by the consultant that over time he should pull it back in more once he gets stronger.
You didnt say what operation he has had done.??? he will be able to go shooting again so dont worry..

[vicky payne]

For optimal return to performance ask for referal to a veterinary physio. The biggest problem I see in post op dogs is not the op site (and your dog WILL get arthritis whatever op was done) but it is the muscle pain caused by the overuse of some muscle groups to compensate both after the injury and after the surgery. Physio will also ensure optimal range of movement in the operated limb. I would put any dog which has undergone joint surgery on supplements to support this and the other joints. Many vets use cartrophen injections and I love Joint Aid for Dogs for all working dogs.
Good luck

[pwd]

Mine Springer did a Cruciate in an accident...other went later as seems the norm. She is now 3 two years on..touch wood no problem..will have her out this year,she did an odd day last year. She flies faster than the Cocker,turns on a sixpence and enters water like a dock dog . Hope your has the same outcome.

[cockerdaft]

Thankyou kindly for your reply's.

The operation i chose for my dog was the MMP procedure.It was highly recommended for working breeds .
The cartlidge was removed a couple of weeks ago leaving a portion still present in the leg but the clicking in the knee has started back up only yesterday.
My budget is low and i am reluctant to go through this again with my cocker dog ,for the dogs sanity foremost.

I will see what the vet say's and make a decision on my little dogs future.This is now nearly five months.

Vicki.
I understand that physio is a good thing but i cant get my dog of the starting blocks to get him a session lined up.
Thankyou for your advice though.


Thankyou again

Cockerdaft
Jim)

[Stacia]

You can do gentle physio yourself if shown what to do. I did my Lab's physio when he broke his elbow.

Jelinga