For the parents of pooches who have received the kick in the gut news about a torn ACL, we've been there and back- THREE times! We hope this post helps you get through this miserable experience with assurance that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You can do this!
A few years ago, our Rottweiler/Black Lab mix, Kaine, was out playing in the yard when I heard a freakish yelp. I was sure something serious had happened, and when our usually strong and agile dog limped into the house with his tail curled in, my fear was confirmed.
Kaine's torn ACL would continue to cause problems if left uncorrected. Read more about canine ACL injuries here. |
Kaine's stitches after his first surgery |
Because of Kaine's large size, our doctors recommended TPLO (tibial-plateau-leveling-osteotomy) surgery, but they were straight with us. There was a good chance that the other ACL could tear now that our dog had ripped through one. Without this corrective operation, Kaine would likely live in chronic pain with crippling arthritis in his later years.
Was there really a choice? Oh, the news was painful, but we love our beastly mongrel to bits and knew we 'd have to go ahead with the surgery.
So we stormed through the difficult process...and proving Murphy's Law does, in fact, exist- exactly one year after his first operation, deja vu poo poo. Kaine blew out his other ACL. Ugh!
We repeated the entire miserable experience again with the other leg, thinking this HAD to be it. He had no more ACLs to tear! But alas...
Was there really a choice? Oh, the news was painful, but we love our beastly mongrel to bits and knew we 'd have to go ahead with the surgery.
Strict confinement is mandatory for the first 4 months after surgery. This was Kaine's "home" while he recovered. |
We repeated the entire miserable experience again with the other leg, thinking this HAD to be it. He had no more ACLs to tear! But alas...
Just when we thought the nightmare had ended... |
Another year passed after Kaine's 2nd surgery when the limping and whining began again. We learned that the angle cut in the bone during the 2nd operation (we took Kaine to a different surgeon the second time...BAD idea) was at an improper angle. The surgery would need to be repeated to be corrected. We could barely stomach the news.
Actual titanium parts from inside Kaine's leg. After his botched surgery, my husband asked to keep the "parts" from the failed operation. The circle is a quarter- used only to show scale. |
Three surgeries, 4 months of recovery each, over $10,000 in orthopedic surgical bills, seemed almost too much to fathom. But what was our alternative? Put our guy to sleep? Watch him suffer every day of his life? We had to do it. One. Last. Time.
Stitches after third surgery |
While Kaine was in surgery, we spent time preparing our home for the recovery period. For four months, he had to stay STRICTLY confined to a very small space so that he could not jump up on anything, attempt any stairs, run, slip or jostle his recovering leg in any way. Crating is strongly recommended for the first few weeks. We used the side of an old baby crib and tied it to his crate to create a fenced-in area where he would have enough room to stretch out but could not break any of the "rules" for recovery.
Side of old baby crib tied to Kaine's crate" |
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Homemade ramp with old carpet on top to prevent slipping |
The tranquilizers made Kaine way too loopy for our comfort. In this photo, he wasn't even aware that his FACE was smushed against the crate. We didn't like giving him this medication. |
After Kaine's follow up appointment, about two weeks after the procedure, compresses could be stopped, the stitches were removed and the uncomfortable cone was finally removed from his poor head. Through all three surgeries, we were strict about keeping it on (only removing it so that he could eat and drink) so that Kaine couldn't gnaw at his stitches and irritate the wound. Ditching the cone is relieving.
And from there, we took it one day at a time. In Kaine's third month of recovery, although still confined indoors, he was allowed and encouraged to exercise outdoors on a leash. He went out for two walks a day, increasing in length and speed, so that he could begin to build up muscle in the wounded leg. We started taking him on hikes with steeper inclines, as our surgeon recommended, to get him using all the different muscles that had deteriorated from the injury.
Gradually increase activity on leash |
The muscle in the recovering leg was severely atrophied, so it was imperative that we continued exercising him to build muscle mass in order to prevent future injuries. Physical therapy was strongly recommended.
Kaine now takes a glucosamine with chondroitin supplement and a prescribed doxycycline antibiotic daily, both used to slow the progression of severe arthritis. He does get a little stiff every now and then, so we're sure to keep up with his daily supplements.
Smilin' in the back seat- heading out for a hike. |
It was a rough ride for all of us, but it was worth it. Every day that we watch him frolic and play, we know we made the right moves. We've given Kaine a much better quality of life. Yup, I'd say that, after forking out college tuition costs on this dude, he's definitely spoiled.
King Kaine, in all his glory |
Three cheers for happy mongrels! If you have any questions about TPLO surgery and or recovery, please feel free to ask. We're happy to help. Again, after three runs, we've got this down to a science. Remember that you can and will get through it, and that your pooch will love you for it. Hang in there through the dog days- there's sunshine on the other side!
Has your pet ever undergone surgery? What was the experience like, and what tricks did you learn to get through the recovery?