can anyone offer any advice on how to keep my 11 month old lab occupied, she's torn a ligament in her rear right leg and is suppossed to be on strict rest but we're 10 days in 1 injection and a course of tablets and she's not healing as she won't keep still! I've tried bones but she chomps her way through these rapidly. The vet has advised keeping her in her indoor kennel but she thinks she's in trouble if she cries to come out and we won't let her. I can't take her pitful pleas for escape so can only do this for short periods.

hi Helenc its not easy thats for sure. My 12 week old GSD pup has just came out of plaster on mon of this week as she had a broken foot, and i also have a fully grown male Gsd so it was a nightmare having to keep them apart as well as trying to make her rest. She always wanted to bound about and have fun kept chewing her plaster off as i didnt use the Elizabethan Collar because for reasons of my own i dont like them, so 5 diff plasters later lol she is now having gentle exercise and is doing well. At the end of the day you cant keep them completely rested its not possible unless the vet gives you sedatives which he couldnt in my case cause he said she was too young but might be diff for you as you pup is older good luck though helenc i know what your going through.

Ally

Hi Helen, cage her! No it`s not easy but if it`s the difference between her leg healing with rest or having surgery you have to do it. Marrow bones & stuffed kongs will keep her occupied for some of the time. I had to do this with my lab but I had her cage in the living room so she was still with us.
Christine, Spain

I agree with christine you must cage her,i dislike cages but they are a must for her recovery cruciate ligiaments which I assume this in will only repair properly if you follow your vets advise strictly your dog will be better off in the long run.

Forgot to say you can also give her a little bachs rescue remedy to calm her down its hebal so will do no harm

Thnx all for the advice, took her back to the vets yesterday and she has improved a bit now but it's xrays and possibly plaster next week if she's still limping. I've ordered 2 giant kongs so hopefully these should come tomorrow and I moved her cage to the lounge but this actually made her worse. So it's back to the kitchen with the cage and doors shut and fingers in ears. I know it's for the best so will persevere. How long do these injuries usually take to heal? the vet just keeps telling me it varies but there has to be an average.

Its a question of how long is a piece of string :) these injuries are very slow to mend but in order to make a proper recovery you need to do everything by the book.
I have a friend who has been through this several times with her labs and I know it took time but the dogs were ok in the end which is the main concern.
He will get used to the cage soon but its a shame you didnt persevere with the living room as she may get lonely on her own,Labradors are people dogs they need company.

Yes it`s hard for them in the cage & I felt awful doing it, but for me, having her in the living room with all the others & us around her was best & she settled down after a couple of days. In fact there would always be one of them who would sleep next to her alongside the cage. I would say it took about 4mths all in all with her in the cage totally for about 8/10wks, with her always on the lead going to do her business & gradually incresing the walk after the 6/8wks cage rest, from 3/4 mins upwards VERY slowly STILL on the lead. Everything was done slowly & with my sweepy it worked & surgery wasn`t needed & it`s still ok now. Every dog is different as to how long things take to heal but please take your vets advice & cage rest her, it could mean the big difference to cureing it with rest or having to operate.
Christine, Spain

Thnx again, we've been doing everything by the book including caging her which she soon got used to and her leg has improved tremendously, so much so the vet says we can take her for a very short walk around the block at the weekend. He said he's very impressed with her progress but as she is only 11 months old she is healing very quickly. fingers crossed if we take things slowly she will be ok and won't need further treatment.