Hello, long-time lurker, occasionaly emailer to Ed, first topic, first post here:

Sunday, my 2-year old APBT "Ryzhik" (Redhead) had surgery for a torn ligament in his knee. The vet (among the best orthopedic specialists in Ukraine) says that recovery will take between 6 weeks and 3 months and that Redhead's exercise should be limited until then. Redhead comes in this Saturday for his follow-up.

Can anyone estimate how long it will take for Redhead to be able to walk without limping or occasionalyl walking on three legs? I also notice that he is reluctant to bend his repaired knee. Is this normal?

BTW, the vet says that other than the torn ligament, Redhead is in exemplary physical condition, probably in part due to his raw diet. Vets here generally encourage feeding raw.

I would give him a few more days to want to try and use his knee (bend). It depends on the dog, IMO, as far as starting to use the leg and lose the limp. Some dogs never lose it and in some dogs it is never an issue.

I had a yellow lab that fractured his femur when he was young and he had to have pins placed in it. He was SO high drive that even in his crate he was active and he did not "gaurd" his leg, but rather he used it as soon as he woke up from surgery, much to the vet's and my chagrin.....

Therefore, when we took x-rays a week and a half later (because he started whining like he was in pain) we saw that the pins were working themselves out.
So it was off for another surgery to place them back with screws.
Still the dog used that leg right away.....YIKES.....and eventually tore his ACL (third surgery) which we fixed and he broke the fix....after careful consideration and discussion with my husband, we decided to put him down.
I was tired of watching him "suffer" and also did not want to keep feeding him pain meds and/or meds to tranquilizers.

It broke my heart, but it was better for him.

So, I would have to say, I would rather have a dog that "gaurds" his injuries than one who does not seem to notice.

Is there any abnormal swelling or heat in the leg at all? Is he crated to keep him quiet?
I would say that since it was only a few days ago that he may just be a bit sore. He should start "testing the waters" in a few more days.

Welcome Kevin!

Sorry to hear that your dog needed knee surgery, but glad he's on the mend - ACL/CCL tears have become a very common injury here in the states, not sure what the stats are like in the Ukraine, though at least your found a great surgeon to work on your dog.

Did the ortho vet set you up with any kind of rehabilitation specialist, or are you expected to do that on your own with Redhead? Often, CCL surgery here is followed by months of physical therapy, regularly assisted by another specialist who can suggest types of exercises to do with your dog to help him start regaining strength in the injured leg. A specialist might have access to a pool treadmill or other unique equipment designed for dogs healing from surgery. Do you have access to something like this?

It's very common for a dog to not want to use the injured leg after surgery, which makes rehabilitation difficult, but all the more important. You'll want to make sure Redhead really starts to get the mobility back in that leg or he's liable to injure the OTHER leg (tearing the opposite ligament) from over compensation - this is sadly very common as well.

*I have a friend who's dog just had this surgery last month - I'd be happy to share what they're doing with their girl to get her back to normal activity...

~Natalya

UPDATE:

Took Redhead to the surgeon this morning for a checkup. (His name is actually "Ryzik", loosely translated as "Redhead" for English speakers.)

The surgeon told me that Redhead is healing very quickly, perhaps too quickly, and stressed the importance of strict limits on exercise.

I have never heard of a Rehab specialist here, but the surgeon gave some suggestions for rehab. Mostly in the nature of what to avoid for now.

Sunday or so, the stitches come out.