I've been up half the night worrying about my little boy, he slipped and twisted his leg on the pool steps when he went swimming yesterday afternoon. He wouldn't/couldn't stand on it, and it doesn't seem any better this morning after nearly 18hrs restricted bed rest. Took him outside last night for a wee supporting him with a towel, when I removed the towel he just collapsed in a heap. He now hasn't been to the loo since 2pm yesterday afternoon. I've got an appointment at the vets for 10:30am.
OMG is it one of my worst nightmares - his cruciate's gone? Is there any possibility it could be something else?
I'm trying to stay positive but my stomach's in knots.

"Is there any possibility it could be something else?"

Obviously there are other possibilities. Should have really said what do you think the likelihood of it being something else is?
Thanks Jan

It could be almost anything, relax, what ever it is the vet should tell you and suggest a course of action. If it is cruciate it can be repaired with success as can any of the other possibilities. Sorry to hear about it though it can be such a worry but you and the dog will recover I am sure so fingers crossed for you till 10.30 did you tell the receptionist the dog could not stand and has not been to the toilet since last night, because they may be able to give you an earlier appointment, why not give them a ring. Bit suprised he has not tried to stand on 3 legs so may be it is somthing else and he is in a good bit of pain.

Keep us posted please.

Jackie,
Thank you so much for replying. I did tell them that he hadn't been to the loo, but the emergency surgery doesn't start until 10:30. I've been up since before 6am but he still hasn't tried to stand - don't know how I'm going to get him to the vets - he's 9st lol - I'll have to rope the neighbours in to help.
Unfortunately I'm paranoid about cruciates, my 4yr old bitch ruptured hers last year falling in a pothole.
The joke is I've been so careful with Leo and started him swimming to give him extra exercise whilst not putting strain on his joints.
I've got my fingers crossed & am trying not to be negative. Will let you know how he gets on.
Thanks again, it's helped being able to talk about my fears.
Jan

And is the bitch OK now?

Yes she's fine now thanks. But I had a lot of problems (mainly due I think, to a vet student running her at full speed 5/6 weeks post op!!!!).
Luckily she was older and was happy to rest. Don't think it will be quite the same for a 10mth old usually VERY boisterous pup lol. Anyway I'll see, hopefully I'm worrying for nothing.

Well then, she is fine and you are experianced, so if the worse comes to the worse you will be better able to cope, even if you would wish not too, pull the large cage out or buy one and then keep the fingers crossed. Why do we put ourselves through all this. Good luck.

lol
Sometimes i think it's worse than all the worrying when the kids were little.
Thanks Jackie

It is, dogs wont tell you where it hurts or how.

Hope it isn't as bad as you fear
                                      Anne

Jan,

I've had 2 Munsters rupture their cruciates, both were repaired with totally different methods even though it was the same vet who did the operations.  He told me that there's about 10 different repair methods.

Asti - who was one of the afflicted - will be 13 in May and besides having the odd doddery moment, you'd never know her cruciate had been repaired, don't worry.   The only thing that confounded the vet's about Asti's cruciate was that she continued to walk on it after injuring it.    It wasn't until they took her in & sedated her that they were able to find the cruciate had gone!   A week after the op she was walking back on all 4 legs again - on lead off course!

Well we're back and the news is bad. Although he hasn't damaged the cruciate as far as the vet can tell, he has ripped the lateral patella ligament, and his kneecap is flapping sideways. The operation, recovery etc is similar to that of the cruciate op.
But he has now tried to stand up and has been to the loo (poor boy he must have been desperate), but he is looking extremely sorry for himself.
I feel so guilty, to think I did this to my poor boy, why oh why did I take him swimming? I should have just left well alone. It's sods law you try to do your best for them and end up doing more harm. I know it's no good beating myself up, I'll just have to get on with it and make sure his convalescence goes as well as it possibly can.
I've to ring the vets tomorrow to say if I want him referring anywhere. Does anyone know any really good orthopaedic veterinary surgeons - I don't care how far it is. I just want the best for him, thank goodness we have good insurance.

Thanks for all your good wishes
Jan & Leo

Jan, I'm sorry but it is much the same as the cruciate and just as easy to deal with, worry not, just another session of trying to keep him quite and calm, if you do not have one invest in a large cage, makes life so much easier and is better that worrying yourself to death. Lots of interesting chews and lots of TLC and before you know he will be back on his feet, all 4 of them.

Thanks Jackie, now I know what is wrong I feel alot more positive. I've nursed Ellie through all her ops I'm sure I can do the same for Leo.

Do you think it will affect his movement in the long term and be the end of showing him?

Have been through this myself and no he will be fine and the dog I had this problem with was the dog I did the most winning with. Make sure that you have an expert to do the job and that they know you want to show, you are looking at a 6 to 8 month period but after that he will be as good as new. I found that I worked up a really good rapport with my dog, would get him out of his cage in the evenings and take him into a room on his own with me watch the telly and groom him and talk to him, it worked well, installed a baby gate at the door of our special room so he could keep contact with the other dogs and let the calmer ones into the room as he began to recover, it is important to keep the bond.

The longest job was getting the muscle tone back but that is a pleasant job and it is a joy to see the dog sound again.

Sorry it's bad news but hopefully all will be well in time. I know a good orthopaedic referral vet but he's in Scotland. He couldn't help my boy but he was honest and never gave me false hope. Keep us updated
                   Anne

Your details do not give your location, if we knew we could give you details of a suitable vet.

Oh I'm sorry, I'm in the North West, but I'd travel anywhere to a really surgeon. I need to get it done asap as he is such a big hefty boy . Although the vet said this is a one off injury I don't want to put any more strain on the other back leg than is absolutely necessary.

Ask your vet to refer you to an orthopedic specilist, they should be happy to do so.

Thanks everyone for your replies and good wishes for Leo. My vet has given me the names of the orthopaedic surgeons that he refes dogs to. I've been busy checking them all on the internet. I'm going to ring them this morning to have a chat before I make a decision.
Thanks
Jan

<i> "I know a good orthopaedic referral vet but he's in Scotland" </i>
Is it John Ferguson of East Neuk in Fife Ann? If so he did a superb job on my boy :)

That's him Jas can't speak highly enough of him,sadly he couldn't help my Braid but he and all the staff were so kind. What really impressed my Mum and I was the fact that he wouldn't operate as he could offer no guarentees and felt that it could have been detrimental mentally as well to Braid.
              anne

Sorry he couldn't do anything for Braid, but like you I couldn't have a higher opinion of him or of the staff at the clinic. The level of equipment is A1 too. My lad was there for surgery twice staying several days each times - and both times he seemed quite reluctant to leave! I gather he was spoiled rotten. :) Everything was explained to us in the greatest detail, and everyone on the staff was great with what was then little more than a very big puppy. If hospitals gave a service like this there would be no complaints about the NHS. X-rays from other of our dogs have been sent to East Neuk for reporting, and the reports that come back have been prompt and more than detailed and meticulous. I would take a lot of persuasion to go anywhere else for orthopaedic assesssment / surgery on a dog.

Jan,
So sorry to hear about Leo, keep us posted as to what happens.
If you feel like talking give us a ring.
Karen.

anybody know of a cruciate specialist they can recommend in Kent?

There is an excellent orthopaedic vet in Tenterden -
Cinque Ports Veterinary Associates
Highlands Surgery
Ashford Road
01580 763309

My elderly collie had two cruciate operations that sadly failed as she was very arthritic. My vet referred me to this clinic & she was operated on & made a fantastic recovery. I can't remember the name of th actual vet, but hopefully he still practices there.

Thank you very much

We have an appointment at Liverpool University Small Animal Hospital tomorrow morning. I've asked to see the head man; Professor Innes who is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Orthopaedics, I'm going to make sure it is him doing the op -  I know it's a teaching vet school but I don't want anybody that's still practicing.

Hopefully the operatation will be on Wednesday and he should be home Friday.

So fingers crossed it all goes well.

Jan

Best of luck Jan, if the dog is determined as you there will be no problem.

Hope all goes well
                    Anne :D

Hi what breed is your dog?
My staffie did his cruciate last april he had the op, a week later he was still completely lame i took him back and was told his knee cap was now loose he had slipping patella so another op was needed.
Rcoverery was very slow in my dogs case as he had the two ops it wasnt untill sept he stopped being lame on the leg after exercise.
My dog went swimming twice a week about 2 months after his op this helped a lot and walking was increase very slowly
He used to be a show dog i couldnt show him now though as he has pins in his knee and you can feel them (and see them a little)
I dont mind though as i only bought him as a pet just glad he is fit and well again.
Good luck with your dog hope everything goes well.