Dog care, symptoms, health issues, and dog health advocacy from an owner's perspective. In loving memory of Jasmine.
What happens after surgery is as important to a successful outcome as the surgery itself. Don’t ever allow the surgeon let you walk out of the hospital without detailed instructions on how to manage your dog’s post-op recovery. The stakes are high—the situation is stressful. You can anchor yourself with our FREE Veterinary Visit Checklists. Too often, dog parents are…
Extracapsular repair is an old technique, but it can work, and it is the least invasive surgical technique to date. It is not recommended for large dogs, but it can be done successfully. It is, however, more vulnerable during the post-op recovery. Thank you, Luanne, for sharing Sandy’s story. Sandy’s story Sandy’s conservative management of her ACL injury had to…
Patellar luxation is hereditary and especially common in small and toy breeds of dogs. Affected dogs may also have other leg or joint problems. The patella (or kneecap) lies in a “track” on the front of the leg, where it functions in joint movement. It slides up and down easily as the knee bends and extends. In some dogs, the…
Obtaining and carefully following post-surgery instructions from your veterinarian/surgeon is essential for a positive outcome. Make sure you ask for a detailed, day-by-day recovery plan. You’d be surprised how often surgeons allow dog parents to go home without them. You can see an example of a cruciate ligament (ACL/CCL surgery post-op care plan looks like here. There are some…
Is there anything you can do to prevent cruciate ligament injury in your dog? Prevention is always the best treatment for any injury or disease. For example, recovery from a CCL injury will take anywhere from four to six months out of your dog’s active life, and an unstable joint will contribute to the development of arthritis. Further reading: Talk…