Knee Operation

Gizmo has what is most likely to be torn ligaments/muscles in his back knee. The vet reckons he'll definitely need an operation at some point and said I could either do it now, or later but it would have to be done at some point. She reckons that it probably started when he was little and has just slowly got worse over time. So all those times he was limping, and then got better, he wasn't really better.

I just want him to be able to fly around the park like the staffie rocket that he is. As it stands, regardless of when he gets the operation, he's going to be stuck on flat leaded walks and no playing with other dogs. Is this going to completely de-socialise him?

I don't see why it would de-socialise him, during the recovery he might feel a little unsure but being a typical Staffy I think your harder problem is going to be stopping him from running like a loon too soon

Sorry I have no experience in this area but just wanted to say I'm sorry he needs an operation, will be stressful on you both. I think the same as Ian, the bigger issue will be getting him to slow down after the op ! Thinking of you x

Stopping Gizmo running is going to be a nightmare but I'm sure you will get through it If he is ok on his lead with other dogs then keeping him socialised shouldn't be a problem, if it was Katy then I would have a problem with lead work!!

He doesn't like new dogs when he's on the lead, and he definitely gets upset if they go round his back or there's more than one of them.

I'm ordering a vest a bit like Flo's which'll say "INJURED" so hopefully that'll help reduce the amount of dog traffic. As it stands, whenever another dog's on the pavement and I can't cross to avoid them, I'm crouching down with my arm round him so he can't leap or strain on the lead.

Also getting a Halti (not the head one) and double lead to try and kick start his training again.

Katy doesn't like meeting any dog on lead, off lead she hates her butt being sniffed especially if there is more than one!!

I think there's maybe one group of dogs he's ok with and always has been (lady has a lab, a Pekingese/Chihuahua cross and a spaniel mix) but that's because all three of them are assistance dogs and take no guff from anyone. They also don't crowd him.

The young master just finished his dinner, did a celebratory belch RIGHT in my face and is now using my foot as a scratching post. So, his spirits don't seem to be down much.

The vests do work but sometimes, just sometimes it has the opposite effect, you can't help stupid owners but it will at least give you a sporting chance. Hopefully the recovery time will pass quick enough.

It must be reply difficult to keep him from running and jumping.
Duke is never off lead in a public place, and copes well with other dogs while on his lead, some small dogs are aggressive to him but he doesn't seem to mind.
He is let off to play in the fields where we live but to be honest he's is more interested in snuffling and poking his nose in the ground than running

Did the vet say even with the operation he won't be able to run about incase he hurts it again?

If so, has vet suggested amputation at all? I know its a massive leap so to speak...but a lot of dogs with 3 legs run about like loony toons perfectly fine.

Also - have you possibly thought about contacting that bionic vet man? He might cost the earth, but he could have some new age solution a normal vet would not even think of..

I'm working on strengthening the muscles before we book him in so that hopefully he'll have less of a recuperation time. Vet said he should be alright, just no speeding bullet impressions without a warm up.

LizP - I've start his gimpiness on the snuflly walks you suggested here, and he seems to be enjoying them and dragging less. I can't believe how quickly he gets tired.

Genuine question, how on EARTH am I going to get him out of the flat if we have to avoid stairs? I have to go up steep stairs to get out of my basement flat, and I can't take him out through the garden because the hens are deliberately winding him up.

Yay for snuffly walks!

Have you looked into something like hydrotherapy? That or similar that works on building up strength in soft tissue can be great for helping with damage and for correct healing (sadly not for heeling). Danaher's started using a new hydrotherapist near the centre and a couple of the dogs have shown amazing improvement. Or is that what you mean by strengthing muscles?

Re the stairs, I would have thought it's easier to work on walking quietly even if the hens are doing the macarena at the back door.

I've been looking at hydrotherapy places and they all seem to be pretty far away from me, which sucks because they sound like they'd do wonders.

That's a shame. Here's another thought to look at, then. We used a Galen practitioner for Nola. When she was about 2, she had persistent bilateral front leg lameness. Digital x-rays showed some knee dysplasia and she had them operated on at Queen's, zero improvement. They wanted to do her shoulders as well but we said no, there wasn't enough clear cause and we felt they more wanted to go in and see. Someone suggested Galen, which is like sports massage, and within a month or two she was right as rain.

http://www.caninetherapy.co.uk/

Looks good too.

Our little tank has had elbow and knee ops and we found hydrotherapy great, so it's a shame that's not an option. He is only just coming up two years, so not far off yours age, and we did find short walks on the lead held him back with training and socialising and first time round I definitely let him off lead too soon as I couldn't bear it!! But that did set him back too, so while I'm not telling you anything you don't know already, it won't be easy and you will both find it hard, but it will be worth sticking to it if you can. Herbie also put on weight because I felt sorry for him and gave him treats ... you know how it goes! Having said that we are now back to normal walks and food, though he is a bit porky, and he has settled back with other dogs quite well and he picked up the training again nicely. He is still a staffie though!

Oh, and he is starting to get a little arthritic already which is a possibility with any leg operations I think, but we give him tumeric powder which is pricey, but better than pain killed I think.

Best of luck to you both!!!

Their little faces when they realise they're not getting let off to play with their buddies

So far he's escaped into the garden for a rampage session twice Not seen any change in his limping levels, so hopefully it's not done too much damage.

I've decided that TPLO is probably his best bet.

Quite an eye-opener when I went on US sites - pretty horrified that US vets seem to be so keen on euthanasia or surgery for the slightest thing.

wishing you a speedy recovery gizmo xxxxx

WOOHOO! No operation needed. He's improved dramatically over the last week, and the x-ray was all clear. Still on painkillers/anti-inflammatory pills, 2 minute walks and no leaping for another week, but at least he's improving.

That's fantastic news, I bet you are so relieved

That's great news,hope he get's back to 100% soon.No one wants to see them on the operating table do they?

That is good news

To be fair to my vets, I was really not convinced that my Flo needed a TTA but 2 years later I can really see the difference in the hind legs. A TPLO isn't the only option going forward should things get bad again.

Hopefully Giz will be good and back to his usual fun self with nothing more than rest needed

That is fantastic news! How's he coping with the keeping quiet regime?

He is emphatically rebelling against it. We're having to keep him in really small spaces to stop the zoomies. His antler is doing wonders to keep him occupied when he's on his own, but he wants to follow me everwhere so I have to stay put too.

Keep up the good work with the rehabilitation and he will be back doing his zoomies in no time.