Opinions about possible ACL/Ligament tear

[Anthony99]

I am going to try and attach video links for Avie and what we have been dealing with the past week. Hope this works.

The first video is of her this past Tuesday morning.

http://youtu.be/x2b8mX1qCRQ

These two videos are from this morning after she has been on 200 mg of rimadyl a day since Tuesday afternoon.

http://youtu.be/hrIIFyEmGzQ

http://youtu.be/43yUlRxF8a0

She'll take her last rimadyl pill on Monday. As you can see from the video (if the links work) she has significantly improved since before taking rimadyl. We're hoping for the best that she doesn't decline when we stop giving her the pills. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Any thoughts?

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

I'm glad she looks like she's feeling much better! I am no expert, but what I saw when mine had an issue was intermittent limping. He would limp just after rising then be less lame once he started moving. If you have any doubt in your mind I think seeking an ortho vet's opinion would be beneficial. They could check the stability of the knee and take a set of X-rays to check for inflammation.

 

[newflizzie]

Well, the videos do look similar to my girl moving with and without taking Rimadyl. Her left stifle was dx by ultrasound with a partial exterior meniscotibial lateral tear and what looked to be a partial cranial cruciate tear. We did not do surgery, but had a stifle brace made for her (she was recovering from a torn hamstring). Then this past December she came up limp once again but on the right side with a partial cranial cruciate tear and we did TPLO. The meds can help and make them move better, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are looking at a tear. Lizzie only failed the drawer test on one of the knees, not both, but both were torn. What did your vet say, has she seen an ortho vet? Did they do X-rays or a diagnostic ultrasound?

 

[lmfoltyn]

Wow...that was a remarkable difference! I hope that when you stop it doesn't relapse. We had Jake on Tramadol for about 1.5 months and he is fine now. No limping and no crying so hopefully this will be the case for you.

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

Anne makes a good point about the drawer test. You can have a negative drawer/stable knee but still have a cruciate issue. Ours was negative but X-rays showed inflammation. They found a partial tear during surgery and once the inflamed cruciate was removed the pain finally subsided.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

Be careful with so much activity until you've absolutely ruled out a tear (unless you're doing leash walks for the bathroom, which in that case is totally fine).

We're 99% sure Elvis had a partial tear and then tore completely during xrays a few days later. He passed the first drawer test but since he was still limping we had them do xrays while he was asleep getting a tooth pulled. The next day his limp was a million times worse and he immediately failed the drawer test.

 

[Ginny]

Ditto on decreasing activity. Crate rest while on NSAIDs.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Glad to see such an improvement, I think the tell all will be when she's finished the pain meds and restrictions.

 

[Anthony99]

Only time she is out is for bathroom and to make those videos. Always on leash. Her crate is where she is 99% of the time. Thank god it is the XXL 54in x 45in.

My vet does not want to x-ray b/c she said the ortho will probably want their own and would feel bad if I had to pay for 2 sets of xrays. The only way I would have her xrayed would be sedated and do the drawer test at the same time. We are thinking about an MRI but have heard it could $900. But that would definitely show ligament damage. Correct?

 

[newflizzie]

Ortho vet will most likely want their own X-rays. I chose to do a diagnostic ultrasound by a sports med vet before doing an MRI since they wouldn't have to put her under for an ultrasound (they didn't need to sedate her for X-rays either but she's a very easy girl). They clearly saw the exterior tear on ultrasound, and they could see partial fraying of the CCL so were pretty sure it was just a partial tear. An MRI would tell you, but I like to avoid putting them under if possible. I also have insurance so cost wasn't as much as an issue as it might be with an uninsured dog. Good luck!

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

I would go right to the Ortho vet over having an MRI. Elvis did have two sets of xrays but they were a month between and he didn't have to be sedated at Ohio State, which is where he went to be repaired. Dogs do not have to be sedated for the drawer test.

If I were you I'd see how she does off the pain meds. If she starts limping whatsoever, then I'm off to the ortho vet. If I can't get in right away then I'd have my vet write for some more medications and give us a direct referral. Some places (like Ohio State) don't require referrals and you just call and make your own appointment.

 

[jane]

I hear your girls nails dragging when she brings her back feet forward. Has she always done that? How old is she? The first video looks like she is limping on the right rear. When my boys knees were going he just limped, and didn't have his back arched like that. I would definitely want to know if there was an ACL or Spinal issue going on. The pain meds get rid of the pain, gets rid of the arch which is caused by pain usually, and gets rid of them limp. I would not use the pain meds and get a second opinion from another vet.

 

[Anthony99]

Yes, she never has lifted her feet that far off the ground. She is 8. Our plan is if she starts limping after the pain meds are gone, we will bring her to the orthopedic vet immediately. If she doesn't limp after the pain are gone we are still going to restrict her activity for 30 days. Only outside on a lead.

Thanks for the opinions !!

 

[R Taft]

The one reason Katy healed so quick post TPLO (two years ago), was that we had her operated on early, she did the injury and had the operation a week later...This is what our ortho vet told us. My friends dog had surgery done the same week, but she had had long term issues and never healed as well..i would always go to the ortho vet before i would rely on meds getting rid of pain....when the meds cover the pain, more injury can be done. This is just my personal feeling