Hi just wondered if anyone could help, my old shepherd aged 11 has sprained her cruciate ligament, been lame 2 weeks now with no obvious signs of improvement does anyone know how long this could take or does it just depend obviously the age of the dog does not help matters at all comments would be appreciated

Janines

Hi sorry to hear your dog has hurt it self , a sprained cruciate ligament takes a very long time to get better and only with rest also giving some thing to help boost healing, swimming really helps but only controled swims. Jackie

I was told no exercise for about a week and then restricted lead exercise for a while until the vet is sure that the joint is stabilising. It's much better to err on the side of caution for the long term benefits of your dog & it's joints.

Hi everyone, today is a really sad day, the vet originally thought that Emma had sprained her cruciate unfortunately this is not the case Emma has a bone tumour and its been confirmed cancer, I am devastated she was the first one that I have bred, and all my girls come thru the same line, I understand that in cases of bone tumours that in 90% of cases there is also cancer elsewhere in the body, I am deciding where to go from here do I say enough is enough,and let her go peacefully whilst she has a reasonable quality of life, and not in too much pain or wait and see and let her tell me thats shes had enough, of course with any cancer no-one can see how quickly they will go down hill, I would hate to see her in real pain could be 6 months or next week no-one can answer, Emma is 11 years old she has given me the best 11 years, and I her,

Janines

Oh Janine, I'm sorry to hear that. :( What a terrible decision for you to have to make. Whatever you decide, it will be with only the best of intentions, so try not to feel too guilty whatever happens.
Thinking of you.

Janine so sorry i know how you are feeling and so do most of the others on here, god bless Jackie

Janine

I am so sorry to hear this news. Do what your heart tells you and what your girl tells you as she will give you the signs once she has had enough, so long as her quality of life is OK. Enjoy what time you have left with her.

Lucy
xx

Hi all, I have decided to let Emma go whilst she,s not in as much pain as she will be if I decide to hang on, Emma is loved far too much to let her suffer anymore than she already has, and whilst she has a little bit of dignity. I will miss her terribly, not once in 11 years have I ever heard her growl at anyone she has been an absolute pleasure to own, and I feel honoured that I bred this very special girl, the Gsd world has truly lost a great ambassador for the breed. But she will live on in my heart because she will never be forgotten, and also my three young girls come through the same line, which indeed shows my gratitude to her

Janines

You are very brave and will be thinking about you and Emma.

Take Care

Lucy
xx

I don't know what to say - you are a very brave person, Janine. This is a time when the strength to be unselfish is needed; and you have that strength. Bless you.

I feel so very sorry for you and Emma. Emma of course has had a wonderful life, and because of your courage, will not have to suffer any pain at the end of it. It's so much harder for you. You are the kind of owner that every dog deserves. I will be thinking of you.

Katrina

Oh Tracy I am so sorry you have been through so much with your girls just lately my thoughts are with you.I hope to speak to you later {{{{{Hugs}}}}} Gillian

Thanks everyone, I am just back from the vets and from dropping my girl of at the pet crem, I will have Emma back home tomorrow, I feel terrible something like judge and juror but deep down I know that I have done the very best for Emma I have saved her from further pain, but I am suffering now I just cant stop crying, time heals I know but I just cannot imagine life without Emma, we had a very special involvement, the full litter was handreared, so me and Emma were always close I feel like I have lost a real big part of my life

Janines

So sorry to hear your sad news, but as someone on this board said

Better a week too early, than a day too late. :(

liberty