Evening everyone, Cortex got injured this morning (I’ve seen two different vets just to be sure) but it is what it is: a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee. The first vet told me it would take 4 to 8 months of rehab, whereas the second says the dog should have recovered well within 3 months. The prices are also worlds apart; one quoted around £850, the other about £350 (money isn’t an issue). In both cases, they told me that no matter what happens, Cortex will develop arthritis and the joint will become painful as he gets older.
I’d like to know if any of you have dealt with this kind of setback before. How did the surgery go? Was the recovery good? Is there anything we can do to make sure he doesn't suffer too much later on?
I’m so worried about Cortex (he’s on anti-inflammatories until the operation, which is scheduled for Monday at 8:45 am). I still don't know which vet to go with, but since both have given me an appointment, I need to cancel one of them...
I’m completely lost 😞
Translated from French
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Hi Rinrin! Best to check with your vet, but if he’s moving around too much because he’s not in any pain, maybe try reducing the painkillers. When mine had to stay quiet after having his paw stitched up (it was only for 10 days but felt like a lifetime to him), I made the mistake of not following my gut and didn't stop the painkillers sooner; he ended up popping his stitches by messing about! As soon as I stopped the meds, well, because he could feel it a bit, he was much more careful and things went better. I did check with the vet first though, obviously, to see if I could just stop them or if I should just lower the dose.
Hi Lewina, how are you?
Just did that – I can stop one of the two painkillers to start with (he was on two different ones), and he’s already a bit calmer this morning. The leg is looking really "good" now; I was so worried the day I picked him up (swollen joint, blood on the dressing, and he was in a real state).
But today it’s like night and day; the joint is back to normal, he’s much more alert, and he’s even managing to go to the toilet on his own (I’ve had to help him these last few days by supporting his back end, but he’s been doing it himself since this morning).
I’m so relieved now. The vet seems happy with his progress; he’s got an appointment on the 13th to have his stitches out and for his first check-up then.
Hi @Rinrin! Definitely worth checking with your vet, but if he’s moving around too much because he isn't feeling any pain, you might want to look into reducing the painkillers.
When mine had to stay quiet after getting his paw stitched up (it was only for 10 days but felt like forever for him), I made the mistake of not listening to my gut and didn't stop the painkillers earlier than planned. As a result, he popped his stitches from mucking about! As soon as I stopped the painkillers, well, because he was in a bit of discomfort, he was much more careful and things went much better. I did check with the vet first though, obviously, to see if I could just stop them or just lower the dose.
Well, it’s been a bit of a nightmare this evening; the little man was already in less pain and just wouldn't sit still, so it was straight back into his crate (with a stuffed Kong). He eventually managed to settle down and he’s fast asleep now. I even found him snoozing on his "bad leg"—I think we’re going to have our hands full over the coming weeks 😯
Just like the length of time they spend outside depends on the dog's condition, the same goes for time spent in the crate. If he’s calm at home, you can let him potter about a bit on three legs, but don't let him jump on the sofa or anything like that... And make sure you stay right next to him, really! One wrong jump and it could ruin everything, and then you'd be having sleepless nights feeling guilty... It’s happened to some people before unfortunately, the poor things.
It also depends on how well he tolerates the crate (I think your crate training is quite recent, so be careful not to leave him alone for too long if he can't see you). Mine has been used to it since she was six months old (for travel and for health reasons already) and she’s totally fine with it. Obviously, in the case I mentioned, we were way over the 4-hour max crate recommendation, but in her case—given her condition, her temperament (since she just chews a toy or sleeps in there, though she can stand up of course), her tolerance, plus the fact I was in a camper van 24/7 with her—it’s not the same as locking them up for ages and going off to work...
I’ve put it away now but I'm keeping it as it might come in handy again; it meant I could sleep and look after myself a bit without worrying she’d hurt herself.
I hope that helps, even if it was a bit long-winded, sorry! 😅
So, we were right in the middle of living in our motorhome when she had her operation, so she spent a lot of hours in her crate. It might sound a bit shocking, so let me explain: first, there were her sleeping hours (she sleeps loads!), and then after her toilet breaks (she’d only be out for about 4 minutes at a time because any longer, like when we tried 15 minutes, she’d start messing about and pulling on the lead...). Basically, she exerted herself so much in those short outings that by the 15-day mark, instead of taking the stitches and the cone off, the surgical vet had to drain some inflammatory fluid that had built up in her knee. She had to keep the stitches and the cone on for another 15 days... which is how she ended up with a double ear infection afterwards...
Erm, what was the question again? Lol
So, it was straight back in the crate after going out, otherwise she’d have been doing pirouettes on three legs ^^
Just to clarify, those 4 x 4 or 5-minute breaks were specifically after the follow-up where they found the fluid in her knee (the length of time they're out really depends on each dog's physical and mental state). So, she only came out to eat and drink (I’d hold her bowls for her), for her four tiny walks, and for the long massages she loves.
Then later on, we did some scent work in the grass (in a big square). I’d keep hold of her and she’d sniff around for 30, 40 or 50 minutes... depending on how her leg was coming along (whether she was putting a bit more weight on it or not, as you shouldn't put too much strain on the other legs for too long).
As for the recovery period, our vet said the same, I think — between 3 and 4 months — so I worked on the basis of 4 months, plus she was in season during that time. The follow-up X-rays were spot on, but well, there's always a higher risk of arthritis and osteoporosis now compared to other dogs, so no agility. Sprinting is fine, jumping a bit is okay, but she’s not going to be a high-performance athlete.
Yes, you really have to respect the recovery time!!! Honestly, we come across as over-protective maniacs and torturers, but it’s better that way, especially for the first two weeks! Better that than her having to go back under the knife and having to live through it all again together.
Hello Rinrin and Happy New Year, even if it has been a bit of a rough start for you... I’ve been following your posts and I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, I hope Cortex is getting plenty of rest and isn’t being too restless. Just wanted to share my own experience, hopefully it helps, and if not, well, I suppose it’s a bit of moral support at least 😅: My girl had knee surgery when she was eighteen months old (a ligament had actually torn off a piece of bone)... Strict rest at the start, the usual post-op treatment, constant supervision, and making sure her cone was cleaned regularly to avoid an ear infection. She had a follow-up X-ray after two months, then as a precaution we did another month on a long lead, which I ended up extending much longer because the poor thing went into season right after! We gave her plenty of things to chew on, calm massages, and then some mental stimulation with a bit of scent work outside on the lead (we only took the cone off for walks and under very close supervision to stop her licking or rolling in the grass). Best of luck to you and Cortex, hope his recovery goes well.
Thanks for your message! How long did you keep her in a crate? Did you let her walk around the house at all? The vet told me that in a fortnight’s time he should start putting a bit of weight on his leg again. He did say the three-month mark was really important for the joint to stabilise.
Hi everyone, it’s been a bit of a rough night for me; I’ve been keeping a very close eye on him. The wound is looking much less swollen than it did yesterday already. He needs some help to go for a wee—I have to support him as well as carry him because there are three steps down to the garden, and at nearly 4 stone (about 53lbs) he’s quite a weight, lol! He’s very quiet today; he’s had his two lots of painkillers and his antibiotics. He’s eaten, drunk, and done his business, so everything seems okay on that front. I feel so sorry for him. I’ve let him out of his crate for the day and he’s sleeping on a mattress I’ve set up in the living room (I’m right here with him and he’s snoozing against me). If he starts getting restless, I’ll put him back in his crate, but for now, he’s warm and comfy, and I’m keeping a watchful eye on him.
Hi Rinrin and Happy New Year, even if it has been a bit of a hectic start for you...
I've been following your posts and I’m so sorry for what you're going through. I hope Cortex is resting well and isn't being too restless.
I wanted to share my own experience in case it helps—and if not, I suppose it’s at least a bit of moral support! 😅:
My girl had a knee op when she was eighteen months old (the ligament had actually torn off a fragment of bone)... It was strict rest at first, the usual post-op meds, and keeping a very close eye on her. I cleaned her cone regularly to prevent ear infections, and two months later we had the follow-up X-rays. As a precaution, we did a month on a long lead, which I ended up extending for much longer because the poor thing came into season right after!
I gave her plenty of things to chew on, calm massages, and then some mental stimulation with a bit of scent work outside on the lead (taking the cone off only during walks and under constant supervision to stop her licking the wound or rolling in the grass).
Best of luck to you and Cortex, wishing him a speedy recovery.
I’m sure everything is going to be just fine. I’d suggest popping into the chemist or a health food shop for some lithothamnium capsules; it’s a sort of cross between seaweed and coral. You just open the capsule and sprinkle the amount corresponding to his weight. It’s the best natural remineralising supplement around and doesn’t have the side effects you get with chemical products, so he’ll heal up much faster (it’s not just for animals, it’s for anyone who needs to look after their bones...).
