post surgery ACL advice please.

[Buddastrat]

Hi everyone. Back in January, Budda (Chow/Retriever) tore his ACL and had surgery using a sutre in place of the ligament. He seemed to be immediately better from it and we tried to restrain him for the next couple months, so he could recover.

Fast forward to now, sometimes he runs and plays like he's fine, but at night and especially after lying down for awhile, he can barely get up and he limps as he did before the surgery. I took him back to the vet and they feel around the joint and said it was holding successfully. They didn't do an xray though, just feeling the knee.

They chalked up his limping to arthritis. We had the surgery performed a week after his injury.

I've been giving him glucosamine/chondrotin and the vet says to keep giving him Rimadyl. But I want him better, he's only five yrs. old!

I'm wondering if he's still recovering, or if I should take him to another vet. (It's getting expensive!)

here's a pic of him

 

[Denaluvscorgis]

I'm so sorry to hear about Budda...poor thing!!!!!!! I have to say that I have no idea about recovering from that type of surgery, but I know someone on here will give you some good advice.

I hope he doesn't have to stay in Rimadyl much longer. My Dachshund just had back surgery, and the vet who did it said that it is so hard on their stomachs and causes bleeding ulcers. I hope that Budda feels better soon.

In the mean time, you might want to put some heat on the area when he's lying down like that. Is he sleeping on something that is comfortable and is soft enough?

 

[squirtsmom]

Good luck and hope he feels better soon. You will get excellent advice on this forum.

 

[Jynx]

Personally, I'd get him off the rimadyl,,Is the person who says he's "ok" a vet or an ortho surgeon? IF not an ortho surgeon, I would be looking for one for a second opinion. If so, I'd look into some PT (physical therapy) as in water therapy, which can be amazing, as well as a chiropracter /acupunturist to add.

I do know ACL surgeries or any "bone" surgeries can bring on early arthritis, I'd look into "pumping" up the supplements also.

Good luck!
diane

 

[Amstaffer]

Athena had the same surgery. She had the surgery in June and was back to normal by Christmas. I gave her very little Rimadyl and put her on Super Joint Enhancer but that was mainly to deal with the arthritis in her other knee.

I highly recommend getting a second opinion. Sounds odd to me he is still having problems.

 

[bubbatd]

What a sweetheart !!! I've never had this problem , so can't help beyond wishing you both the best !! When they hurt , we hurt !

 

[Barb04]

I would definitely get a second opinion to make sure there isn't something more going on besides just the arthritis causing a problem. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Buddastrat]

Much thanks for all your kind words. I am going to take Budda to get a second opinion. Also a big thanks for the heads up on Rimadyl. I just blew $50 on this bottle and now I hear it can lead to ulcers!

I'm only going to give him one if he's really bad. I don't like to take aspirin/Tyleno type stuff myself.

I'll post back with what the other vet says. Very glad I found this forum.

 

[Charliesmommy]

Poor Budda! My friends's dog had ACL surgery and was told that he was NEVER allowed to run again. She only takes him out on the leash for long, leisurely walks. He never limps and you can tell he would just loooovvveee to run but she doesn't let him. I think this was partially to avoid a problem with the other ACL though, not sure if it was a result of the surgery.

 

[Danner&Daisy]

My lab, Danner had surgery for a luxating patella about a year ago then had to have his leg amputated due to complications. His Dr. recommended glucosamine/chondroitin as well as MSM for arthritis (which he is sure to get) as well as overall joint health. The MSM can be purchased at Costco, he just takes a 1/2 tab a day and seems to be doing great, unless he plays too hard the day before.

 

[Psyfalcon]

We had a retriever with ACL damage, which healed mostly without complications, but my uncles LabxPit has the same problem as yours.

The dog is just too strong and fast to keep quiet and walking. It walks and runs all day, and while the dog limps while moving slowly, the leg holds up fine during running, tug, or chasing a frisbee. (Or jumping the fence). In this case, its most likely arthritis, because a badly healed leg would have retorn during the rough stuff, but instead it is fine there, when the adrenaline overcomes the arthritis pain.

Budda seems a little heavy? Or is that just the fur? Extra weight will negatively affect the joint with either arthritis or structural problems.

 

[Poppy]

Poor Budda, I too would seek the expert advise of another Vet, and I too would try to cut back on Rimadyl.

As Psyfalcon mentioned it's very important to keep a dog with any sort of joint or Cruciate problems on the lean side.

As for supplements this site is an excellent resource http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html

Definitely put Budda on a good fish body oil and give Vitamin E with d-alpha tocopherols and mixed tocopherols. You might want to look into a supplement called DGP as well which can be ordered through http://betterhealthinternational.com/productDetails.asp_Q_prodID_E_3326

Hydrotherapy is wonderful to help heal, acupressure and acupuncture is something to look into as well.

A good glucosamine supplement which contains Glucosamine HCL, Chondroitin Sulphate, MSM, Vitamin C, Manganese, Devils claw is also helpful. Devils claw can help soothe pain and is a nice anti-inflammatory.

It's also recommended to feed a grain free diet as grains have been linked to inflammation in arthritic dogs. Also, a grain free diet can help your dog loose weight and maintain muscle mass.

If you do not give DGP some good herbs that are great with anti inflammatory properties are turmeric and ginger root (dried herb form) together, try to get organic herbs.

Make sure exercise is consistent and not ripping & tearing about. Even though your dog may seem to be doing wonderful Budda may need more time to heal. Swimming is a great exercise, and if Budda is a swimmer and has an over whelming desire to fetch, try retrieving in the water. This will be a low impact exercise which Budda may enjoy.

There are some wonderful homeopathic remedies as well for arthritis. Rhus Tox is wonderful for dogs that are stiff upon waking. Arnica is great when a dog over does it and perhaps has a bit of bruising.

Good luck.

 

[Buddastrat]

We had a retriever with ACL damage, which healed mostly without complications, but my uncles LabxPit has the same problem as yours.

The dog is just too strong and fast to keep quiet and walking. It walks and runs all day, and while the dog limps while moving slowly, the leg holds up fine during running, tug, or chasing a frisbee. (Or jumping the fence). In this case, its most likely arthritis, because a badly healed leg would have retorn during the rough stuff, but instead it is fine there, when the adrenaline overcomes the arthritis pain.

Budda seems a little heavy? Or is that just the fur? Extra weight will negatively affect the joint with either arthritis or structural problems.

That's his coat. He's about 70 lb.s Vet says weight is good for his medium build.


Thanks to all you guys/gals for the support. Budda thanx you too. I just got a 2nd opinion from another vet, and he says the knee feels stable and it's just a fact that he will limp. Very much like Psyfalcon describes. The adrenaline overcomes the pain sometimes and he runs and jumps well.

But this vet says to not jog him at all, only walks. I'd like to take him swimming but there's no convenient place around here.

He was limping very bad last night, and today he's running around the house like a maniac. His limp is mostly apparent when he rests.