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My boy is lame, vet believes it's ACL tear. :(

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Thank you, CeeCee--- and I will definitely read the link.

I also heard swimming (or underwater treadmill) would be helpful. Gotta find a pool...
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Tell him Aunt CR is coming to get him. I took the seats outta my van for that handsome. We will go on a road trip. that will cheer him up. And I guess you can come too, hate to see you drink alone. :razzberry: But if you pass out I cannot promise that I will not take off with that man of yours.

Oh, man... a road trip will definitely cheer this boy up- his favorite thing in the world! And I am sure he will hobble up and into any van that swings by with an open door.............unfortunately.

And you know you would leave me in the dust, stone cold sober or not, LOL. :nono:

Have you looked into seeing a rehab vet? They are truly miracle workers. If you need recommendation, join Canine Conditioning and Body Awareness Exercises on FB if you have FB. Otherwise, I can look it up for you.

Hector, I missed your post first time around- thank you for the recommendation. Yes, I am on FB-- and will look it up- thanks again. :)
 

glen

Super Moderator
Staff member
Hope mr mateo is feeling a bit better.sending big hugs from all here,
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Thanks, glen. Yesterday was not a good day for my boy- his limping was worse than ever. :(

My fault, though- we went a little too far on our morning walk, and now he's paying for it. Today, we are back to a srict restriction of walking. More sitting and watching, less walking.

I did join a yahoo group called Canine Conservative Management which has a wealth of info about how to manage and heal this type of injury- and the importance of having a plan.

I found a rehab swimming pool for dogs in the city (they also do cold laser therapy, physical therapy, accupuncture, etc.), but Mateo needs to heal more before taking that step. Or, that's my impression- I am going to call them on Monday and discuss his situation with them.
 

mountainfila

Well-Known Member
Absolutely NO exercise for at least a month, or more, I mean NONE, only out to do his business and then back to as stationary as you can make him. If it is a tear then the tendon needs to repair itself and it takes time. The less stress on the leg the better, its up to us to make them be as still as possible. I also agree with the hydrotherapy but only after he is not limping anymore.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Absolutely NO exercise for at least a month, or more, I mean NONE, only out to do his business and then back to as stationary as you can make him. If it is a tear then the tendon needs to repair itself and it takes time. The less stress on the leg the better, its up to us to make them be as still as possible. I also agree with the hydrotherapy but only after he is not limping anymore.

Absolutely right, mountain. I know I have to be strict; I had been making our walks smaller and smaller...and then I screwed up. What was I thinking... It won't happen again.

From now on, it's tight restriction- I get it: straight out, then back in. It's the only way for him to heal, and it's going to be a long road.

I appreciate your message; between you and ab (who is telling me the same thing), I get it.

Thank You. I don't want to fail my boy...
 

QY10

Well-Known Member
Sorry I missed this post. We're sending healing vibes Mateo's way! Here's another article on Non Surgical options from Whle Dog Journal. I didn't see that anyone had posted it.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_2/features/Canine-Ligament-Injury-Options_16198-1.html

Zeek has a minor tear that we are managing. Our holistic vet recommended swimming (of course) and gentle leashed walks up hills to build the supportive muscles and tissues.

Please keep us posted!

My vet advised against walking up or down hills as the leg/knee slides forward when walking on inclines/declines and subsequently creates pressure on the ligaments causing the tear to eventually increase in size.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
Kryten was a little different because his was an elbow instead of a knee and he had surgery but one thing that was stressed was that the joint needed to be stable before I started working on restoring muscle strength in that leg. The first 2 months after surgery he was allowed 10 minute on leash potty breaks where every move was controlled. He got to active on one break and set his recovery back to the start so ensuring that activity levels are controlled is important.
 

angelbears

Well-Known Member
What's your mantra?

Restriction! Restriction! Restriction!!!

Ya'll can do it. Mateo will adjust. You just have to have faith in him. He already has faith in you.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
My vet advised against walking up or down hills as the leg/knee slides forward when walking on inclines/declines and subsequently creates pressure on the ligaments causing the tear to eventually increase in size.

I was wondering about that, too... Anyway, no inclines around here. And of course, no stairs-- there are 3 steps up to my building, but I help him up those.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kryten was a little different because his was an elbow instead of a knee and he had surgery but one thing that was stressed was that the joint needed to be stable before I started working on restoring muscle strength in that leg. The first 2 months after surgery he was allowed 10 minute on leash potty breaks where every move was controlled. He got to active on one break and set his recovery back to the start so ensuring that activity levels are controlled is important.

Thank you, Smokey- really helpful. This is what I had read/heard, but then someone else I talked to had a Lab with an ACL injury---she got him in the pool right away, as well as had a brace on him for awhile.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
What's your mantra?

Restriction! Restriction! Restriction!!!

Ya'll can do it. Mateo will adjust. You just have to have faith in him. He already has faith in you.

Yes Ma'am- it is! In fact, I actually made up a "RESTRICTION" post it and stuck it to my door, so I see it when I head out the door with him. Maybe that's silly, but it should help...
(Along with you Fila people shouting in my head, LOL.)

Today we were back on track, basically in and out, then sitting on our stoop so he can watch the world go by...and I can tell he's feeling better.

Onward. :)
 

cinnamon roll

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
I would never leave you lol!! Promise

Hang in there hun this is a huge change for you and Mateo!!!! I know you are very active with that boy of yours. Rest rest rest!!! Don't feel bad or that you are cheating him. Being a mom is never easy, we have to do what is best for our babies.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
I would never leave you lol!! Promise

Hang in there hun this is a huge change for you and Mateo!!!! I know you are very active with that boy of yours. Rest rest rest!!! Don't feel bad or that you are cheating him. Being a mom is never easy, we have to do what is best for our babies.

It is a huge change, cr-- but you are right about being the "mom"; time to pull up my big girl panties and do what's right for him, in the long run.

Mantra for Mateo: rest, restriction, rest, restriction, rest, restriction, rest, restriction....tear up some cardboard boxes. :)

P.S.: :hearts:
 

Aiken

Active Member
Hi we're new members and came upon your post. We wanted to just tell you we hope you both get through this and we're rootin for Mateo's full recovery.

Meanwhile, we haven't read all the responses but wanted to mention ..that 2 of our family members both humans- actually have gone through this and at points along the way surgery was felt to be the one and only option as per our respective doctors.

After literally months of limited mobility, frustrating/excruciating pain and disrupted sleep.. rest, ice, etc. One person (me) went to see an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. Well, it was expected he was going to recommend surgery be scheduled but surprisingly he didn't. Instead, the surgeon prescribed a medication called Mobic/Meloxicam and in a matters of weeks it was as if it Never ever happened. It felt like a miracle.

One of the sad parts was not being able to even walk our dogs never mind play with them. Well, just today the dogs and I went running together and played ball.

Our other family member subsequently, went from undergoing an MRI and a scheduled surgery.. to seeing this doctor and is now back to horseback riding and cross country eventing.. having been prescribed the same medication in a different dosage. The doctor did initially prescibe a few days dosage of prednisone but after that just the meloxicam.

The reason I'm mentioning this, is some months back I was reading about it and learned they actually are now prescribing this same medication to canines!

I thought well, it certainly can't hurt to share.

Again, Well Wishes and pawsitive thoughts your way!!
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Hi we're new members and came upon your post. We wanted to just tell you we hope you both get through this and we're rootin for Mateo's full recovery.

Meanwhile, we haven't read all the responses but wanted to mention ..that 2 of our family members both humans- actually have gone through this and at points along the way surgery was felt to be the one and only option as per our respective doctors.

After literally months of limited mobility, frustrating/excruciating pain and disrupted sleep.. rest, ice, etc. One person (me) went to see an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. Well, it was expected he was going to recommend surgery be scheduled but surprisingly he didn't. Instead, the surgeon prescribed a medication called Mobic/Meloxicam and in a matters of weeks it was as if it Never ever happened. It felt like a miracle.

One of the sad parts was not being able to even walk our dogs never mind play with them. Well, just today the dogs and I went running together and played ball.

Our other family member subsequently, went from undergoing an MRI and a scheduled surgery.. to seeing this doctor and is now back to horseback riding and cross country eventing.. having been prescribed the same medication in a different dosage. The doctor did initially prescibe a few days dosage of prednisone but after that just the meloxicam.

The reason I'm mentioning this, is some months back I was reading about it and learned they actually are now prescribing this same medication to canines!

I thought well, it certainly can't hurt to share.

Again, Well Wishes and pawsitive thoughts your way!!

Thank you for the info!

Now, something else to research... :)
 

Colorado1234

Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear about your pups knee. My pup slipped and my first fear was a ligament tear or rupture. Did your vet do a sliding drawer test to diagnose his knee? I am not a vet, but have background in Biology and the sliding drawer test seems to be the best way to access a torn knee ligament. i completely respect your opinion on surgery. I cam accross the same information on this surgery and it only seems to have a 50-60 percent full recovery success rate and a 60 percent chance that the other knee will tear in a year. You also have to take into consideration the size and age of the dog. It's a lot to consider, no matter how much you love your pup surgery is not always the best choice. Good luck and I hope your pup feels better soon.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Last February my dog was diagnosed with a CCL, even though they could not get a confirmation VIA the drawer test. in 3 weeks she was back to normal. Hope your dog recovers.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear about your pups knee. My pup slipped and my first fear was a ligament tear or rupture. Did your vet do a sliding drawer test to diagnose his knee? I am not a vet, but have background in Biology and the sliding drawer test seems to be the best way to access a torn knee ligament. i completely respect your opinion on surgery. I cam accross the same information on this surgery and it only seems to have a 50-60 percent full recovery success rate and a 60 percent chance that the other knee will tear in a year. You also have to take into consideration the size and age of the dog. It's a lot to consider, no matter how much you love your pup surgery is not always the best choice. Good luck and I hope your pup feels better soon.

Yes- 2 different vets did the "drawer test", plus some hands-on manipulation, feeling some "laxity" in both knees- the right was worse than the left. And I was also told that by an Ortho surgeon--- that at least 60% of dogs that have one CCL surgery will have another on the opposite leg within a year (and all the dogs I know who have had this procedure done, have also had to go back for the other leg...which really, really sucks...).

Last February my dog was diagnosed with a CCL, even though they could not get a confirmation VIA the drawer test. in 3 weeks she was back to normal. Hope your dog recovers.

Jade was lucky- maybe it wasn't a ligament tear...but who knows. I seriously doubt Mateo will be back to 100% -with or without surgery- but I will be happy for even 80%+.