Hot and Cold Compresses for Post-Op Dogs

Swelling, discomfort, and bruising is normal following CCL repair surgery. Hot and cold compresses are some of the best at-home remedies to help your dog heal and stay comfortable during the recovery process. Not sure whether to be using hot or cold? See our tips below for general uses, but be sure to talk to…

Read More

Double TPLO Recovery – Limping/Lameness – Loki

Our now 12 year old Brittany, Loki, has had both knees fixed with TPLO surgery. His first surgery was 18 months ago and the second about 1 year ago. Recovery went well in both cases, though he managed to break his fibula both times. In both cases, though, the fibula healed without any troubles. After…

Read More

Moby – Conservative Management

Moby is a 2.5 yr old, neutered lab. About 6 weeks ago, he became leg-in-the-air lame on his left hind leg after an acute injury. This was diagnosed as an acute acl tear or rupture. But in retrospect, I think he was displaying a whole set of subtle symptoms that both knees were in trouble,…

Read More

Kona – Double Extracapular Repair

I am very concerned after our visit to the Vet last night. Kona our 72 lb. Lab is needing surgery on BOTH back legs! She was running around a few days ago with the neighbor kids and came back in limping. One knee is completely ruptured and the other torn. Our Vet warned us that…

Read More

Conservative Management for ACL – Madam Bijou

One morning, we noticed our Bichon Frise was limping. It was her left hind leg. The limp was noticeable and disturbing. She wasn’t whining or anything, but she wasn’t putting weight on it either. I took her to 2 different vets. Both said it was her ACL and they recommended surgery. It was this site…

Read More

TPLO Surgery Advice – Charlie’s Story

My dog, Charlie (2 year old black lab) was running for a ball at the dog park, tripped in a hole, and yelped. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL and scheduled for surgery at a cost of $2500 plus (plus the cost of the exam and x-ray-another $250 since they had to sedate him)….

Read More

Tightrope Repair Complications – Axel

I have a 3 year old Rottweiler, Axel. I think the problem started in June 2010, during a dog park playdate. After then he was limping on his back right leg. I took him to the vet and she said that it was a partial tear, so to keep him calm and give him pain…

Read More

TTA vs. Stem Cell Treatment – Bachi

Bachi is a 4 year old fox hound canaan mix. He blew his left ccl last July, and we did TTA. He luxated his patella after that. We had that repaired, but it did not take long before he luxated again. We waited to do anything more and now he has blown his other ccl….

Read More

Tightrope Surgery with Swivel Lock – Brian

Brian was the biggest pup of his litter. Now I know not to pick the biggest, since they are more prone to problems often. At 8 1/2 years his right knee went out. That was one week ago. Given his age and the size of this American Bulldog (120 lbs), I was not sure what…

Read More

Should I Get a Second Opinion? Asia’s Story

Asia the Pit Bull’s story came to me via email. I thought it was important to share both to help Asia’s owner get some feedback on how to proceed with recovery, and to also illustrate many of the questions that plague us as we decide what the best approach for our dog. As you will…

Read More