Bennett was only 6-months-old when one evening he started limping on his hind leg. Bennett's parents were hoping his leg has just fallen asleep and he would walk out of it. But he did not.
To make sure that whatever happened it gets taken care of properly, Bennett's parents saw a vet right the next day.
After a quick exam, they were told that Bennett sprained his cruciate ligament (CCL) and sent home with anti-inflammatories.
A ligament can be stretched (without an actual tear), or tear partially or fully. Either of those means loss of stability in the joint.
Unsatisfied with the diagnosis, Bennett's parents went for a second opinion only to get a verdict they liked even less--torn ligament.
It seemed so unfair fur such a young puppy to already face such a hardship. And how does one keep a young Lab boy subdued for 8+ weeks? Unfortunately, an orthopedic specialist confirmed the diagnosis of a torn ligament.
It limited available options dramatically. Another possibility was waiting for his growth plates to close and go with a TPLO surgery. Bennett's parents decided to wait.
Trying to keep Bennett subdued to prevent further damage was heartbreaking for everybody. If you ever tried to keep a young puppy from running and jumping, you can imagine what that was like. And when on sedatives, Bennett seemed so depressed.
Eventually, they found a formula to still allow Bennett to be himself but keep him from going crazy. Arthritis was inevitable at this point and little guy need to have some semblance of a life.
After what seemed like forever, the time when Bennett's body was ready for the surgery came. His knee might have been ready, Bennett not so much.
At this point, the ligament was fully gone.
The surgery went well.
If your dog ever had a major surgery you know how heartbreaking it is to see your baby so "violated" and how scary it is to try to keep them from hurting themselves in any way.
In spite of the expected challenges, particularly trying to keep Bennet from busting his implants before he healed, they made it through post-op successfully. Being so young, Bennet healed faster than expected.
6 months after the surgery, with the absence of setbacks, the ordeal is officially over. Bennett was done healing and could return to being a normal puppy. He has his life back. Nothing could make Bennett happier.
It was a long journey and left Bennett with fear of the vet. But other than that, he can live his life fully and that makes him very happy.
Original story:
TPLO Surgery Story – Bennett
Related articles:
Talk to Me about Dog ACL/CCL Injuries
Surviving the Post-Op: After Your Dog's ACL/CCL Surgery
Cruciate Ligament (ACL/CCL) Surgery Post-Op Care: Example Plan
Theory and Actual Decisions: Cookie's Knee Injury
Injury/Surgery Recovery: Mishaps versus Setbacks
Ruptured Cruciate Ligaments and Early Spay and Neuter
Preventing CCL/ACL Tears in Dogs
All or None, Or Partial CCL/ACL Ligament Tear?
Full CCL/ACL Ligament Tears (part I)
Full CCL/ACL Ligament Tears (part II)
Triple Tibial Osteotomy (TTO)
Simitri Stable in Stride
Cora-Based Leveling Osteotomy (CBLO)
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Partial ACL/CCL Tear
Perhaps he just sprained something?
To make sure that whatever happened it gets taken care of properly, Bennett's parents saw a vet right the next day.
After a quick exam, they were told that Bennett sprained his cruciate ligament (CCL) and sent home with anti-inflammatories.
Sprained ligament? What does that mean?
A ligament can be stretched (without an actual tear), or tear partially or fully. Either of those means loss of stability in the joint.
Unsatisfied with the diagnosis, Bennett's parents went for a second opinion only to get a verdict they liked even less--torn ligament.
It seemed so unfair fur such a young puppy to already face such a hardship. And how does one keep a young Lab boy subdued for 8+ weeks? Unfortunately, an orthopedic specialist confirmed the diagnosis of a torn ligament.
Is it a good idea to get a knee surgery on a pup that is not full grown?
It limited available options dramatically. Another possibility was waiting for his growth plates to close and go with a TPLO surgery. Bennett's parents decided to wait.
Trying to keep Bennett subdued to prevent further damage was heartbreaking for everybody. If you ever tried to keep a young puppy from running and jumping, you can imagine what that was like. And when on sedatives, Bennett seemed so depressed.
Eventually, they found a formula to still allow Bennett to be himself but keep him from going crazy. Arthritis was inevitable at this point and little guy need to have some semblance of a life.
Finally, the surgery.
After what seemed like forever, the time when Bennett's body was ready for the surgery came. His knee might have been ready, Bennett not so much.
At this point, the ligament was fully gone.
The surgery went well.
If your dog ever had a major surgery you know how heartbreaking it is to see your baby so "violated" and how scary it is to try to keep them from hurting themselves in any way.
In spite of the expected challenges, particularly trying to keep Bennet from busting his implants before he healed, they made it through post-op successfully. Being so young, Bennet healed faster than expected.
6 months post op
6 months after the surgery, with the absence of setbacks, the ordeal is officially over. Bennett was done healing and could return to being a normal puppy. He has his life back. Nothing could make Bennett happier.
It was a long journey and left Bennett with fear of the vet. But other than that, he can live his life fully and that makes him very happy.
Original story:
TPLO Surgery Story – Bennett
Related articles:
Talk to Me about Dog ACL/CCL Injuries
Surviving the Post-Op: After Your Dog's ACL/CCL Surgery
Cruciate Ligament (ACL/CCL) Surgery Post-Op Care: Example Plan
Theory and Actual Decisions: Cookie's Knee Injury
Injury/Surgery Recovery: Mishaps versus Setbacks
Ruptured Cruciate Ligaments and Early Spay and Neuter
Preventing CCL/ACL Tears in Dogs
All or None, Or Partial CCL/ACL Ligament Tear?
Full CCL/ACL Ligament Tears (part I)
Full CCL/ACL Ligament Tears (part II)
Triple Tibial Osteotomy (TTO)
Simitri Stable in Stride
Cora-Based Leveling Osteotomy (CBLO)
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Partial ACL/CCL Tear
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What were the first signs you noticed? How did your dog get diagnosed? What treatment did/didn't work for you? What was your experience with your vet(s)? How did you cope with the challenges?
Email me, I'll be happy to hear from you.
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Learn how to see and how to think about changes in your dog’s appearance, habits, and behavior. Some signs that might not trigger your concern can be important indicators that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Other symptoms, while hard to miss, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping, are easy to spot but can have a laundry list of potential causes, some of them serious or even life-threatening.
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