Cruciate Ligament / Soft Tissue Damage

[rich_h]

Just after a little advice please.

For several weeks I had been taking Milly out for bike rides and slowly building up the distance. A few months back I took her for a long(ish) bike ride, after which she developed a bit of a limp. I rested her for a couple of weeks and it seemed to ease a little. Took her out for a good run around, the limp came back

I’d just like to point out the she only limps when cold, for example when she gets up from a long sleep – it’s not a continual limp. Back left leg btw. It doesn’t bother her once she is up and about.

Anyway, after a visit to the vets they said it could she could have a small tear in her cruciate ligament or some soft tissue damage and to rest her! No surprise there.

I was recommended some homeopathic medicines by a friend, which are meant to speed up the recovery process(Calc Flour, Ruta Grav, Rhus Tox and Arnica). She has been having them twice daily and been rested for one month, with one 20 minute on lead-walk a day, she seemed to be getting much better.

Yesterday, she got up and was limping again!! Not really sure where to go from here?

 

[kayboxer]

I think I would call the vet back and tell them she is still limping. Maybe they could do some other tests? I don't really know, but that is what I would do. How old is she? Does it look like the leg bothering her or could it maybe be her hip? By the way, your baby is gorgeous!

 

[rich_h]

Thank you

She's was two in December, so still young. Think I will take her back to the vets, perhaps some x-rays might be in order. As I said, it only bothers her when she's getting up and is not warmed up. :(

 

[Lola's mum]

Not too sure if xrays would pick that sort of damage up Rich? Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

[rich_h]

I thought an x-ray would have picked it up, could be wrong though. Either way, off to the vets tomorrow. Fingers crossed its not HD or arthritis :(

 

[kymh]

a similar thing happened with belle we took her the vets this week as her limp created swelling on the knee and foot, our vet done x - rays the next day and advised no damage to the ligament or growth plates,so he took samples of the fluid and sent it to specialists.

24hrs later the results was back - belle had an infection in the fluid?!

the vet advised the limp could have been created by - floyd sleeping on her legs/ jumping/running/ climbing the stairs or general rough and tumble play. she has now been put on pain killers and antibiotics

something similar may have happened!

hope you get it sorted soon

 

[kidzarme]

We're experiencing the same thing with Shae. It's definitely gotten better but as I understand acl tears, they could also respond this way. Our vet told us that an acl would not show up on xrays. They need to put the dog to sleep and manipulate the knee in order to tell. I'm in the same boat.....not sure what to do, other than watch and wait. As long as it doesn't seem to be bothering her.....I'm going to watch.

 

[kidzarme]

We're experiencing the same thing with Shae. It's definitely gotten better but as I understand acl tears, they could also respond this way. Our vet told us that an acl would not show up on xrays. They need to put the dog to sleep and manipulate the knee in order to tell. He examined her and thought it may just be a sprain. I'm in the same boat.....not sure what to do, other than watch and wait. As long as it doesn't seem to be bothering her.....I'm going to watch.

SORRY!! I was trying to edit and I screwed up! I'm so sorry!

 

[msjosi]

X-rays won't tell anything when it comes to a ccl tear...dealing with tendons not bones. You will need to get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who will do a "drawer" test. It is just basically a range of motion test that they are somehow able to tell if it is ligament damage. It sounds like Milly has a partial tear, which is why with bedrest scar tissue has been somewhat healing it back up, but that is unfortunately only temporary. Josi has torn both so I know how you must be feeling and I'm sorry. You may want to start her on a glucosamin/chrondrition supplement. If you have some time on your hands, search my tplo threads and you should get a lot of info. Hang in there, get a referral, and please keep us posted...

 

[SherylM]

I'm really big on glucosamine/chondrotin/msm supplements, especially the liquid form for soft tissue damage. Hugs to your baby.