I thought it might be a good time for a little update on Sampson’s CCL injury.
Since his partial tear on the 26th of January he’s been on restricted activity. Short, slow leash walks twice a day and no off-leash in the yard.
We started off with six minute walks and have worked ourselves up to 1-10 minute walk and 1-12 minute walk.
Four weeks ago we started on Hydrotherapy using the underwater treadmill. With the goal being to help build up some muscle and give him some strength and stability in that knee.
Except that hasn’t happened.
Instead he seems to take one step forward and two steps back.
After four weeks of Hydrotherapy there are still days when he won’t put any weight on his foot. Sometimes he puts his foot down, but his toes are just touching the floor. There are times when he holds his foot completely off the floor. And if he tries to move quickly, whether it’s in the house or on a walk, he holds that foot up and does a little three legged scoot.
With only one week of Physical Therapy left, it’s time to re-evaluate the situation.
I’ve been researching Conservative Management of CCL injuries and alternative treatment plans, so I felt it was time to speak to my vet and get her thoughts.
I shared all of the above with her and explained that eleven weeks post injury I’m not really happy with his progress. I shared my concerns with him not putting any weight on his foot in the house but using it outside and she feels like he might be afraid of slipping, so she gave me the suggestion of some things we could do to help him feel more confident. Once I make a decision as to what we will be using I will share that here with you.
I told her he was starting his fifth week of the Hydrotherapy and the final week of the package I had purchased. At this point I am wondering should I purchase another $500 Physical Therapy package or is my money better spent on something else.
She feels it’s time to try something different.
One the treatments we will be considering is Platlet Rich Plasma Therapy and the other one is IRAP (which has been used with great success for horses.) Dr. Soutter gave me the name of two different veterinarians, so in the next couple of days I’ll be making some phone calls and seeing if I can schedule Sampson for some consults.
In the meantime, he will finish out his Hydrotherapy and I will continue with his short, slow walks.
You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog if you keep giving me short, slow walks!
I’d love to hear any experiences any of you have had with conservative treatment of CCL injuries, also if you’ve heard or used either Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy or IRAP I’d appreciate hearing about that as well.
Oh Sampson. You sure like to be unconventional in your healing. Hope you get better soon so your mom can stop worrying.
Gah! That hound dog face is killing me. That really says it all. Being out of commission is NOT fun. Hang in there, buddy. Your mom’s got this…
Love and licks,
Cupcake
It’s so frustrating when things aren’t working. We have no experience with such things, but we hope you can find something to help him out.
I’m sorry to hear Sampson is not improving much. It definitely sounds like it’s time to try something different. I wish I knew more about those things, but I don’t. I hope you find someone with experience with either one so it helps you in your decision. I know you’ll keep trying and doing what you need to for him.
That photo is so cute!
I hate that the hydrotherapy isn’t working and Sampson isn’t doing better. It does sound like it’s time for something different. You already know what we did for Jeffie. Zero experience with the two treatment options you mentioned and, in fact, none of the vets I consulted mentioned them for Jeff. Sorry 🙁
Dang. I hope you can find something that will give good results.
Sorry no experience, but I am routing for you guys!
We have no experience or words of advice, but just wishing for the best.
Wish I could help, I really do; but I’ve never heard of either of the two therapies. Both of Callie’s CCL tears were complete tears which required the TPLO surgery. I don’t think she ever quite regained her strength and confidence after that second tear. And perhaps the lymphoma had something to do with that as well. I’ll never know for sure, but I can’t let it get me down either.
I also hope Sampson gets better soon. Hang in there.
I sure hope one of those alternatives will work. I know it has to be so disheartening to move forward only to go back.
I hope you can find something that works!
will be interested in the vets suggestions about helping Samson feel more confidence about not slipping. love the pic. hugs to you and a nose smooch to Samson.
Sorry there hasn’t been the kind of progress you had hoped for, and sadly I have no experience to offer. Clearly I’m kind of useless here but know I’m sending digital pawsitive healing thoughts your way with a nice ear scratch for Sampson. ღ
I do not know about the treatments but it is good to have the options and I am sending Sampson good vibes to hurry up and heal!!
Sorry I don’t have any experience to share, but Barley and I are rooting for Sampson (and you, of course!).
Hopefully one of the new treatments will help. I know it can be disappointing after spending the time and money on rehab to no have the results you hoped.
I’m so sorry Sampson isn’t making the progress that you had hoped for. Here’s what’s happening with Haley: She’s 7 weeks post surgery and we’re also having an issue with her. We had a Maui vacation planned for many months before Haley’s surgery and we left at the beginning of week 6 after her surgery. We really agonized over the decision on who would watch her while we were away and decided on boarding her at our vet’s facility because they would keep her contained and also perform her daily on-leash walks.
She was doing fantastic before we dropped her off, no limping and walking 20 minutes twice a day. Halfway through the vacation last week, our vet’s office called and said she was limping (barely putting any weight on her foot) and they wanted to start her on Rimadyl. I was so afraid something like that might happen and of course, they said they have no idea what happened to make her start limping.
We picked her up on Tuesday and had her knee rechecked by the vet. He said it was still tight and there was no fluid on the knee. I guess we’re going to have to watch her to see what happens. She’s limping a little and also hopping on three legs when moving faster (like Sampson) and that’s while being on Rimadyl too. I’m giving her some time to rest and then we’ll start walking again but we’re definitely going to have to backtrack on the rehab schedule.
The timing of her injury was horrible and we tried to make the best decision about where she would stay. Normally, my parents would watch her, but they’re older and I knew she would either pull them over while on the leash or they would let her off-leash and she might play with their dog or chase a rabbit in the yard. Oh well, what’s done is done and I’ll keep you updated on what happens. Hopefully, we’ll get Sampson and Haley back on track and healed up soon.
I brought this book a year ago and maybe it’s time to re-read it and try some of the techniques. http://www.amazon.com/Grow-Young-Your-Dog-Companion/dp/0990896617