CrossPost from Pets: My dog's blown his knee out. (pics - NOT graphic)

I feel SO badly for him. I don't know the extent of the damage as there's really no way to tell without surgery, and after much research and much discussion with my vet we've decided to try a non-surgical alternative. It just seems as if there's no real GOOD option for the cruciate ligament. Surgery will NOT repair the damage - the only options being wrapping the joint w/ fishing line for stablity until scar tissue can form and stabalize the joint, or the TPLO where the re-engineer the anatomy of the joint in a major, major surgery.

I'm putting the dog on lockdown for 2 months, same as he would be if he had surgery. I spent a couple of days researching braces and sent about 5 different options to the vet for him to look over and give input on. I'll be ordering one as soon as it's decided which one would be best. I had a ramp made for the couch that can also be used for the car and have placed plywood at the front door as a ramp to bypass the step onto the porch. He's not allowed to run or jump, I'm thinking we're going to have to put his toys up where he can't find them because they are a definite catalyst for PLAY, and I make him lay down and stay a lot.No more 4-5 mile walks on the weekend - something that was really good and enjoyable for both of us. He's getting 4 baby aspirin 2x/day and 2-3 glucosomine treats 3x/day. I have to take him out to potty on lead - which pretty much sucks for both of us. I am really bothered by the idea of him being in so much pain.

If after 2 months there's not substantial improvement he'll likely end up having to have surgery anyway - and that brings a whole 'nother host of possible and probable issues. Poor baby.

Anyone else had to deal with this for their doggie? Any cool tricks, hints, tips or suggestions to make it easier on either of us?

There are some holistic veternarians in Washington state, who offer alternative therapies, including acupuncture. I wonder whether one of those vets could offer some alternative therapy to surgery.
I consulted such a vet over ten years ago for my sick boxer. I don't recall his name but his practice was in Redmond. There's another one in the Renton area.
Good luck

For example, I did a bunch of research on vaccinations and started wondering if I wouldn't be causing more harm than good by vaccinating past the puppy shots. I was hesitant about bringing it up with my vet (didn't want him to start talking to me like I was a horrible pet owner and, well, stupid) but as soon as I did his face lit up and he started telling me about his 20 years of ongoing research into that very subject .... as he was putting the vaccination bottles back into the cupboard. ;) So - other than the legally required rabies we're not doing any more boosters.

I'll tell him about new research I've read about and he'll ask me to send him the information so he can look over it, etc. He's just very open.
I love him!

I will definitely keep the holistic option open as well. I haven't really found any information online about holistic alternatives, but that doesn't mean no one's doing it. Good idea!

Oh, my God.

And completely stoic - which is part of why I feel SO badly for him. He's so HAPPY all the time - he just doesn't understand why *now* he's being told NO every time he moves. He makes me feel bad.

Apparently this injury is a common one --- and other than some mild whining one day when he was frustrated by his inability to get comfortable while laying on the floor he's not made one PEEP of noise indicating his discomfort or pain, not even when the injury happened.

I am glad he has a friend like you to help him heal. I have never delt with this type of issue but figured I would post to bump your thread to the top for the morning crowd.

Most vets will tell you its best to let it mend itself. Which means keeping the dog as inactive as possible.
I have to say with holistic treatments..spare yourself the wasted money..Nothing is going to help heal a ligament except surgery and BY FAR the best treatment is just keeping your dog off its feet as much as possible to get the weight off of it. That will promote the natural healing better than anything else. Isn't that what your doctor would tell you to do if you had a sprained knee?

:(

I feel so badly for him. He's SUCH a good, sweet dog.

Tell him his daddy loves him and give him a hug for me.

:hug:

You can have one too. :P :hug::*

CVS has it's own store brand which comes with a wrap and individual heat pads that are inserted into pouches in the wrap, as opposed to the thermalcare heat wrap brands which are an all in one product. No medication in them, just air activated heat pads.

there are probably other brands out there that would just sell the inserts.

I screwed up my knee earlier this week, bought the CVS brand - the 'wrap sucks' keeps slipping down etc, but since the pads were separate I took an ace bandage, sewed on pouches and inserted the thermal pads into that and wrapped my knee. Worked good for me.

Might want to check with vet to see if it will help.

The only problem I can see is getting it wrapped on your dog and having him keep it on long enough to have any benefits. Vet may have some ideas on how to try it.... maybe sew in a pouch on a doggie size ace bandage?

Hang on to that one.

Hugs to your pup.

and went the surgical route (around $800 for us). It was tough at first but he's progressed so well that he doesn't even have a limp anymore.

One of the hardest parts is keeping him from running, so he doesn't blow it out again. Anyway good luck with your 'Big Baby'.