Healing ACL
- Thread starter Jeannie
- Start date
Codes
Active member
I did......twice with two different dogs. Conservative management worked well for both. With Daria, I severely restricted her activity for a very long time. A year or so after she was injured, I discovered Joint Strong http://k9power.com/k9-joint-strong-2lb.html It's pretty pricey but well worth the $$$ IMO. I call it crack for dogs.......:!rolling: This stuff made her wired for sound and put that evil glint back in her eye. She started playing again like a puppy...AND once again climbed onto my barstools and onto the counter.... (The up part didn't bother me but how she got down.....:crazy:
) With my other gal, again conservative management with lots of crate time. I also spoke with Peter Maniate at length and he shared with me the ordeal he went through with one of his girls and the protocol he used on her. He suggested I add fish oil to my girls diet and I did so along with the Joint Strong. Within two months there was a marked improvment and she's been fine since, thankfully. Rest, supplements and prayer *g* do seem to work at times. In some cases all of this works very well but there are times surgery is absolutely necessary. Some orthos want to rush into surgery right away while others are all for giving conservative management a try.
If you need more support and want to trade stories with more folks who have been down this road, there is a conservative management group on Yahoo Groups.
) With my other gal, again conservative management with lots of crate time. I also spoke with Peter Maniate at length and he shared with me the ordeal he went through with one of his girls and the protocol he used on her. He suggested I add fish oil to my girls diet and I did so along with the Joint Strong. Within two months there was a marked improvment and she's been fine since, thankfully. Rest, supplements and prayer *g* do seem to work at times. In some cases all of this works very well but there are times surgery is absolutely necessary. Some orthos want to rush into surgery right away while others are all for giving conservative management a try. If you need more support and want to trade stories with more folks who have been down this road, there is a conservative management group on Yahoo Groups.
ardeagold
New member
Yep...Addie Mae. She'll never walk perfectly again, but she had had a torn ACL before we got her, and tore the same one again. Not a complete tear, but with conservative management, some pain meds, and her self-limiting, she can now run, jump, play ... everything...with no pain.
cedarvalleynewfoundlands
New member
We did Clayton's with a brace and conservative management. The brace was custom fitted by an Ortho doc and at $600, very pricey. To be honest, I often wonder if the brace did any good, or if it was the severely restricted activity, a WalMart human baby mattress (opted for this instead of an expensive dog Ortho bed....much better support and about 1/3 the price) anti-inflammatories and pain meds. As ardeagold said, he isnt 100%, and if he overdoes it he may limp for a day or so, but he is vastly improved, runs and plays and doesnt appear to be in any pain. I think sometimes surgery is gone into too quickly, and that both owners and vets tend to overlook or downplay the very real risk of serious complications that can come along with surgery. Sometimes surgery is the only option, but I think a lot of the time conservative management is an option that is overlooked.
ardeagold
New member
Our Vet researched the custom brace with Ortho Vets who use it and felt that it probably wouldn't be beneficial. The Ortho Vets said that they feel the brace IS beneficial after surgery, but rest, self-limiting, NSAIDs and supplements would probably work as well with conservative management.
It took about 3 mos for Addie to be back to normal again but she got better and better with each week.
It took about 3 mos for Addie to be back to normal again but she got better and better with each week.
Pipelineozzy
New member
Hey, I have one of those 600 dollar braces in the drawer...most expensive chew toy I have ever bought. The dog would not use the leg AT ALL with the brace on. Total waste of money for me. (Not counting having her leg casted etc. to make the brace...and the shipping costs....and exchange.)
nowhavethreebears
New member
Both of Sophie's healed with conservative treatment (no braces)...But hers were both PARTIAL tears. Not sure this would work with a complete tear or not...
The Soph was on very limited activity for several months with pain meds. She now has as much if not more mobility than she had before..
The Soph was on very limited activity for several months with pain meds. She now has as much if not more mobility than she had before..
Peter Maniate
New member
Twice I had a pregnant bitch tear a crucia. Vet said surgery was not an option while pregnant or while nursing. Restricted exercise both times and she healed good as new and went on to get her championship title.
Recently had a bitch come to me for care and again restricted her exercise but also supplemented with ester-C and sockeye salmon oil and got even faster results.
Recently had a bitch come to me for care and again restricted her exercise but also supplemented with ester-C and sockeye salmon oil and got even faster results.