Holistic Alternatives to Pain Management in Dogs

For surgical pain or injuries that your pet my be dealing with, there are some holistic alternatives which are extremely effective in dogs. Acupuncture has been shown to both relieve pain and relax your pet, helping him or her cope with stress better. For dogs, the herb white willow bark can take the edge off minor pain, but these should NOT be used on cats. The homeopathic remedy arnica can be powerful for post-surgical pain, or pain from injuries. For severe pain a typical dose of arnica is the 1M or 10M potency, but for exact dosages and directions, please consult your holistic veterinarian. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 05, 2008 | 0 | Holistic Treatment, Arthritis, Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Does CCL Repair Surgery Lessen Arthritis Risk?

Many veterinarians will try to pressure owners into immediately proceeding with surgical intervention to repair a dog’s damaged cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) by saying early intervention will decrease the likelihood of arthritic changes to the knee. There is some truth to this - restriction of the knee joint after injury does help to minimize the progression of arthritic tissue in a dog with a CCL injury, but the necessary amount of restriction can be reached with conservative techniques as well as surgery. Restricting your dog’s activity following a cruciate ligament injury is your best defense against arthritis, and no owner should ever be made to feel as though surgery is their only option. Read the rest of this entry »

Jun 24, 2008 | 1 | Arthritis, Non-Surgical Options, Conservative Management, Surgical Options

Physical Therapy After CCL Repair

Each veterinarian seems to have their own theories regarding how soon physical therapy should be started after ccl surgery and what techniques work best. Other veterinary surgeons will write off physical therapy all together, preferring for the dog to remain quiet for the first 6-8 weeks after the repair, gradually returning to exercise. While it is always best to go along with the instructions of your vet, I do want to point out that studies done by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have shown that dogs beginning rehabilitative therapy within 48 hours of the procedure tend to heal faster and have greater range of motion than dogs without any physical therapy. Read the rest of this entry »

Jun 06, 2008 | 4 | Joint Supplements, Range of Motion Exercises, Physical Therapy, Recovery, Arthritis

Extracapsular Repair Postop Recovery

Your dog will be in a lot of discomfort upon their arrival home from surgery. This is especially true if their extracapsular repair was an out patient procedure, and they were released back into your care the same day of the surgery. It is important to follow all the instructions your veterinarian has provided for pain management, as well as antibiotic use, to be sure that your pet has the best recovery possible. Within the first 24 hours after traditional repair, it is normal for dogs to not put any weight on their injured leg. Your dog may have a modified Robert Jones bandage on his limb, further restricting movement, and decreasing the possibility your dog will try to do to too much, too soon. Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 30, 2008 | 1 | Recovery, Arthritis, Extracapsular Imbrication Technique, Traditional Repair

TPLO Postop Recovery

While it may carry an increased risk of complications, the recovery from TPLO surgery is often more rapid and complete. About half of all dogs undergoing the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedure will be able to walk on the injured limb within 24 hours of post operative recovery. Within 5 days post-op, most dogs will begin weight bearing on their injured limb. After 2 weeks a moderate amount of weight-bearing can be expected. Dogs with partial tears heal more quickly than dogs with complete tears and those requiring removal of the meniscus. During this period it is important to keep your dog quiet with no movement other than bathroom breaks, this is the most crucial period for healing and bone growth. Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 29, 2008 | 0 | Recovery, Arthritis, Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy or TPLO

What Happens if a CCL Rupture is Not Repaired?

Surgical intervention for cranial cruciate ligament repair can be a costly and time-intensive process. The procedure can range anywhere from $800 to $2500 depending on which surgical technique is used, and your dog will need to be on medications and under strict supervision for a few months to follow the procedure. All of these factors need to be taken into consideration when developing the best treatment plan for your dog. Surgery is not always an option for some animals as there are risks from anesthesia and allergies to which some dogs are particularly sensitive, not to mention the financial burden of a surgical procedure is not always an option for even the most caring owner. Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 29, 2008 | 0 | Osteophytes, Arthritis, Non-Surgical Options, Conservative Management

Anatomy of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament

The cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL, in canines is analogous to anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in humans. The CCL is the main supporting ligament within a dog’s knee, or stifle. This ligament bears the weight of a majority of the stifle’s load, which is why instability of the CCL results in lameness, arthritis and other degenerative changes of the knee joint and surrounding tissue. The strength of this ligament will decrease as a dog ages, with larger dogs experiencing an increased rate of degeneration versus smaller breed dogs. Obese dogs are at a higher risk for CCL rupture as obesity places additional stress on the ligament. Ruptures of the cranial cruciate are the most common orthopedic injury for dogs and the leading cause for arthritic tissue in the stifle. Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 26, 2008 | 0 | Arthritis, CCL Function, Anatomy, Drawer Sign Test