True and I had our ortho surgeon consult this morning and apparently he's blown the ACL in both knees...the left is a little worse than the right. So my little bud has 2 surgeries in his future instead of one. I'll buck up but right at this moment I feel pretty depressed and more than a little scared of what's to come following surgery. Recovery isn't going to be easy with such an active dog, nevermind that his other leg is in no better shape.

The surgeon is concerned enough about True's immune system, or possible lack thereof, that he doesn't want to perform any surgery that involves cutting into the bone...so TPLO and TTA are not options. True will have the traditional surgery, which maybe won't give him as much mobility as the other 2 but should give him a good, reasonably-active, quality of life.

He also wants a green light from the derm vet before we start opening his skin up. Given how long True takes to get over staph infections, we're probably looking at the first surgery in late November-early December.

He did OK gentle walks, swimming, and I can even roll a ball on a flat surface in the back yard, so long as True isn't running flat-out, jumping, or pounding the ground. This was the only good news I had today. My dog hasn't done anything in 3 weeks and I've felt just terrible denying him all the things he loves to do. I'm glad he can get a little bit more enjoyment out of life.

Man oh man,, good luck Sarah. I hope everything goes well.

Thanks, Steve.

I'm so sorry to hear this! I was really hoping for....not this. Poor True, but you're in my thoughts as well.

I am glad to hear True can start doing some more things. That's good news.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

I'm so sorry to hear this! I was really hoping for....not this.

Me neither. But I like the way you put that. Made me laugh.

Well I'm glad of that then

Seriously, at least you know now. And if anyone can guide True successfully through pre-op, and rehab post-op, it's you.

So sorry for the doublemint news, Sarah.

Living with a total maniac myself, I really understand the difficulties involved with keeping him quiet after the surgeries (heck, even before<g>. And, you've got his other health issues to deal with as well.

I guess, about the best thing at this point is that you're suddenly out of the uncertainty stage, which I always find to be the most stressful.

Sometimes you're the bug, sometimes you're the windshield, right?<g>

leih

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

... I am glad to hear True can start doing some more things. That's good news.

And a little more: There are many great canine physical therapy resources online and in books these days, so even if you are not near an ortho canine PT professional, there are many things you can do post-surgery. Tomorrow I will dig up my saved info on PT for the canine ortho surgery patient.

Are you sure he needs operations
I had knee problems with my dog in the beginning of the season
Both his knees were damaged
First dyanosis : operation on both knees 2.400 € each
second opinion : lets be conservative
4 months rest (24 hours in his bench with only 3 walks on leash a day) with every forthnight a visit to the vet for a shot of anti inflamatory medecin. After 4 months of having to deal with a depressive dog a shot of steroides and a training programme of almost 2 months designed to build up musclestrength
It seems to have worked

Greetings

Two weeks ago I would have answered "No, not sure at all." But in the last 5 days his knee is making clicking noises and his left leg is becoming more unstable...even with crate/house rest.

I'm all for conservative management but I really do think his left leg needs to be fixed. The right leg? We'll see later on after the left is done and fully healed.

I am glad to hear your dog is doing better, Johan.

Connie: I would appreciate any info you have. I do have canine PT resources in my area but I know a lot of work will need to be done by me, here at home.