lawesy Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 After having just obtained a 4-year old springer as a companion for my lab (and the dogs are getting along just great), took them both out for a run in a field and after a few minutes noticed that my springer was running on three legs, with his left hind leg raised. I brought them both back and then took him to the vets. As he hobbled into the consulting room, the vet said... "tell me he's already insured, 'cos I reckon he's ruptured his cruciate ligament!". We were gutted (the answer was no, not yet). That was Friday afternon and he's booked-in to be sedated, so that they can assess the knee and confirm the injury. However, having used some anti-inflammatry pils and rested him for a few days, he seems to be walking (trotting along) just fine now and I'm starting to get my hopes up that it was just jarred/sprained. Does anyone have any experience of these hind-leg injuries or can offer any hope for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 Have him sdated and the joint checked thoughly....as it is a long haul coming back from that injury and the anti inflamitories can mask it. Good Luck. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawesy Posted February 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 Thanks. I'll just keep my fingers crossed until Tuesday. If he has done it, the vet was very confident that they can fix it, with a 6-8 week recovery period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 See if you can get him signed to Newcastle for loads of money to then sit on the bench a lot and then generally under perform with the rest of the squad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 I had a collie who snapped his cruciate, the vet was spot on with the diagnosis ( x rays confirmed it ). The operation involved inserting a small piece of man made fibre and allowing the tissue to bond to it. It wasnt a cheap operation but as is the way with your best mate, you find the money. The lay up was six weeks confined to the house and the same amount of time on very restricted walks. Hope yours makes a full recovery, keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussexboy Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 Sorry to hear of your dogs misfortune. Our neighbours golden retriever had this injury last year. The bad news is that the operation cost 1500 notes. The good news is that a full recovery has been made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 I used to have a border collie who while off the lead in in a country park estate got attached in a spinny by soem red deer does obviously protecting fawns........she had a very similar injury........ minor operation....leg in tight bangage for 30 days........the physio..........the leg was never the same again...everytime she ran she would pull it up.... sorry to hear about this mate............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 (edited) See if you can get him signed to Newcastle for loads of money to then sit on the bench a lot and then generally under perform with the rest of the squad. You will be in trouble if KDUBYA see this :look: in fact i might just tell him Edited February 18, 2008 by hawkeye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawesy Posted February 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Thanks for your replies folks and for the good wishes. The diagnosis (under sedation) is tomorrow first thing. I'll post the result and will hope for the best. PS Compared to the health of my dog, the fate of Newcastle Utd. pales into insignificance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 I would still try Newcastle United. They need all the help they can get and well 2 pairs of legs has to be better than 1 eh? Wokka wokka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawesy Posted February 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Well - the vet did X-rays and the left hind knee was in a shocking state; the ligament was gone, plus there was cartilage damage and some arthritic material. They operated and repaired everything, so depending on how well he recovers, his knee should be better than it has been for a while. The dog is fine and is already putting some weight on the leg when he walks and seems in good spirits. It'll take 10-12 weeks for a full recovery, but I'm optimistic because he is a tough little chap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESS Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 sad 2 hear any of this............. my lad had cut his front right dew claw pad , had him sedated stitched up etc .. did not heal, in the end had it cut clean off / what i said in the 1st place.......the vet said it would heal quicker doin it his way..........anyway did it my way in the end.......... while he was under, i had his back left hind quarter x rayed / symptons where........limping, not putting excess pressure on the leg etc.......daughter had picked him up from behind with his 2 back legs like a wheelbarrow / hence the limping, pulled / stretched a muscle................ vet said all is ok and no damage, he hasn't had much exercise or been worked at all last yr (septemberish) He will run on it while out with him / but after a rest he is back to limping, not asserting pressure on it etc.............not very happy at all could it be arthritis ?? gona have him back 2 vets for further tests / or get a second opinion from another vet..... anyway hope ur dog makes a full / speedy recovery mate Regards Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussexboy Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Glad to hear of the successful outcome. Hope the little chap makes a speedy recovery. I miss my old springer like mad, cracking dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawesy Posted February 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Sussexboy & Ian - thanks a lot for your best wishes. We've only had the dog for a few weeks and the last week has been pretty traumatic. The dog has just taken it in his stride and we absolutely love him. I got back from London earlier today and he's already walking and trotting about in the house and putting weight on the damaged leg, so we're feeling really optimistic. Fantastic, tough little dog. Ian - I hope you get the right the right diagnosis for your guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Take it steady and don't rush him, he'll be fine in time. I had a ligament go on my old girl and she was determined to act like nothing had happened. I was incredibly careful with her but it 'pulled' and had to be re-done, that leg did become athritic with age but again she was so tough it didn't seem to worry her too much..........the vet called her the most 'stoic' dog he had ever met and I had to agree, (wonderful dog too). Generally they are like this and it's so hard treating 'em with kid gloves because of their nature. I hope all goes well for you but i'm sure you and the mutt will be back to normality in a few months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darebear Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 moose, one of our newfs, reptured both his cruciate ligaments about 3 years ago. once one goes, the other usually goes within 12 months. he had the TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) operation on both legs, and the recovery period isn't as long as you'd expect as long as you follow the vet's advice. he's not had any lameness since, and when he's walking or running at full pelt, you can't tell at all. all i can say is THANK _ _ _ _ for insurance! also something to consider.... according to a lead geneticist and my vet, there is more and more research to suggest there is a genetic link with ruptured cruciates. urgh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawesy Posted March 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Just a quick update on my springer's progress, since his operation 6 weeks ago. Well, after weeks of careful (gradually increasing) walking on the lead and 'physio' moving the joint before walking and icing afterwards, he's recovered really well. It's been really tough holding him back over these past weeks (especially when he sees our cat!), but he is now off the lead for short spells and is trotting about and running with no ill effects. So fingers crossed that this continues. Many thanks for the advice and good wishes from those who responsed to this thread. I couldn't resist posting a picture of my two dogs together; dream team or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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