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We're just over a week away from opening day of grouse season and my buddy's dog tore a ligament in it's back leg (ACL,MCL?). He also just bought himself a nice, new O/U and now he season is over before it even started.

Let's just say he's pretty bummed out.

Anyhow, my question is, how to dogs bounce back from this sort of thing? The dog is a male 8 year old GSP. He's a high energy dog.

What are your experience with this sort of injury?

Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

Had a BIG Gordon Setter blow out an ACL some years ago. Surgery was performed and after weeks of recovery and a gradual reintroduction to strenuous exercise, the dog hunted as if nothing had ever happened. He only lasted 7 more years...........

Ron

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

My 70lb. lab had sugery 4 years ago. She took a year to get back to normal. Then the other leg started acting up. The vet said this can happen to some dogs. The larger dogs seem to strain the off leg more often according to him. I started on glucosamine and a natural medicine called Cytel. She has been ok and besides being 9 years old her hunting is still an all day affair. Wish your pup the best and fastest recovery.
Ron

Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 209

I can sympathize: seven weeks ago, I replaced my dog's hip. One week into the recovery he was doing very well. So well, in fact, that when our doorbell rang he felt good enough to jump over a baby gate and land in our oak stairwell, I believe partially tearing the ACL on the leg of the replaced hip. We took him back to the vet who did the replacement, but he couldn't say for sure if the ACL was torn. Our hip evaluation is coming up at the end of this week, so I'll know for sure then.

You might have your friend check out this veterinarian in Grayslake, IL: it's supposedly about the best of its kind in terms of rehabbing ACL's in dogs. It was highlighted in a recent issue of Gun Dog Magazine. 8mmFan

http://www.tops-vet-rehab.com/

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

While not a hunting dog, my one Jack Russel had the ACL surgery a few yrs ago. If you know JRs, they are very high energy level. Her leg never fully bent again although it hasn't slowed her down at all. But it did take a loooong time to heal up if you will.

My 12 year old wirehair blew both ACL's when she was 5 years old.One was repaired with a traditional surgery and the more severely torn one was repaired using the TPOL procedure.Both surgeries went well but if you aren't prepared for a long,difficult rehab discuss the TPLO procedure fully with your vet.I never would have been able to get her through the rehab if I had still been working fulltime.While both operations worked well,the dog never regained her stamina in the field and I retired her and got a new pup.While the vet bill was large and I never hunted her again,I wasn't about to put a much loved dog to sleep.

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

PT,
Good for you. And look at all the years she has stuck around to give you all that attention. Wink

I know the rehab for my Russel was extensive and I wasn't even trying to get her back to being a hunting dog.

Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Central NY

My 10+ year-old female lab had the TPLO procedure in May '07, and a 11 year-old female Golden had the "traditional" procedure in April '06. Unfortunatly, the Golden passed away 1 year to the day after her surgery of other causes. Of the 2, I found the TPLO to be easier on the dog, quicker recovery, and a more satisfactory result. She turns 12-years October 1, and is about 90% "there". No limp or stiffness unless we "overdo". Any "slowdown" is due to advancing years, not the knee surgery.
The TPLO is 2x the $$ ($3500 +) of the traditional method, but I highly recommend it for heavier dogs. A lot of $ for sure...only you can decide what your friend is worth to you.
Best of luck to both of you !

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Washington, Iowa

My gsp female at age 3 tore her left acl, at age 5 she tore her right acl. The same vet did both repairs.
we were instructed to keep her at no more exercise than a walk for 2 months. Very tough for a high energy gsp. After 2 months gradually increased strenuous activity. She is now 8 years we hunt every weekend during season, I alternate her with our other gsp so a typical day she will hunt average 3 hours. She receives 1 deramax tablet daily and 2 on hunt days. Other than a little stiffness at the end of the day she is still going strong.

Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 694 Location: MN

I had one dog years ago that was operated on by one of the better specialists. She fell 15 feet down a dry well while grouse hunting. She recouped in 5 months and hunted for many years.

There are several procedures for this repair and you need to research what the latest is. Find a specialist that does a LOT of these procedures...a canine orthopedist that has a successful track record. As important is the rehab period when restricting exercise is VERY important, gradually allowing more as time progresses.

When the result of normal activity, this type of injury may have a genetic component. My experience has been that it is more prevalent in some breeding lines.