MY 15 MONTH OLD FEMALE WAS PLAYING IN THE YARD THE OTHER DAY WITH MY 8 MONTH OLD MALE AND THEY PLAY PRETTY ROUGH. SHE STARTED LIMPING WE TOOK HER TO THE VET AND GOT X RAYS AND ALL THE BONES ARE GOOD. THEY SAID MORE THAN LIKELY SHE TWISTED HER KNEE AND TORE THE LIGAMENTS. I FIGURES MAYBE SOME OF YOU HAVE SEEN THE SAME INJURYS IN THE DOGS YOU RAISE WITH ALL THE WEIGHT PULLING AND STUFF. SHE GAVE ME ANTI INFLAMMATORIES FOR THE SWELLING AND IVE HAVE TO KEEP HER CRATED UP FOR ATLEAST 2 WEEKS. IF THAT DOES NOT WORK I WILL HAVE TO GET SURGERY WHICH SHE SAID WOULD BE 1500 DOLLARS. I NEED ANY TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP THIS PLEASE.

Bates dont you have a supplement that can help this dogs recovery???????


I have had simliliar injuries in dogs. I agree with keeping the dog still for the first couple of days while the initial pain and healing is taking place. I do not agree with keeping the dog kenneled for any longer than that. If the dog is able to walk (even if its limping slightly) I would allow the dog basic excercise. If the dog isnt allowed to move around and stretch himself he could become stiff and the leg not be able to heal properly. There are a number of topical liniments available for these types of injuries that can be helpful as well. Check your local feed store and ask someone there. Dogs are extremely durable and self healing in many cases. If no bones were broken Id be willing to bet you that your dog will come out fine with just a little special attention and solid diet and rest along with easy excercise. I would also recommend rubbing the dogs legs down a couple times a day while rubbing them down just work the joints gently and massage the actual joint as your working it. If the dog yelps or shows sign of pain STOP.

Best of luck to you
Brian
Marshland K9

ps to be honest I would choke on the 1500 surgery myself. I would have to see no other alternative before I would even consider that. I would also go to another vet and have it looked at as well before deciding to drop that kind of money on a surgery like that. I have seen vets miss the mark by a long shot more than once.

Go to Walmart.

Get the Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM supplement it's about $18 for 90 tablets.

Give the dog 1/2 tablet AM and 1/2 tablet PM.

Works wonders for joint injuries.

Takes about 10 days to really kick in though.



Hammer

I have a pull female that is retired for that very reason. She tore hers running and jumping also. To be honest the supplements will not help the pain or fix the problem. I work at a vet clinic and I see it every day. I just retired my female and keep her on Deramaxx once daily for the pain. She has her good days and her bad. I also try to keep her confined to a smaller area so she can't do anymore damage to it. One day I know she will have to have surgery but right now she is doing ok.

I have ran across this problem a couple of times in my hunting career with dogs. I agree with the last person. Crate here for a few days to let it try to self heal. Also do what Brian said and give her a good rubdown twice a day. It is very possible that she tore her ACL in her knee. It is more serious than she may lead on to be. Pitbulls are known for dealing with pain very well. The first time I had it happen to me the dog seemed to recover after about two weeks. then I started to notice loss of muscle mass in that hind quarter. There is no supplement that will cure this problem if it is infact an ACL injury, and unfortunately irregardless to what the vet says I have never had a dog fully recover 100% from one of these injuries. There are two types of ACL surgeries. The conventional which runs you about 1200-1500 depending on the size of the dog and the TPLO surgery which runs 2000-3500 depending on the size and condition of the injury. My wife and I have about 6000 invested in 3 dogs over the past ten years that have suffered ACL tears while hunting. Hopefully this is not the case and she will recover with rest and proper exercise. DO NOT let her run or jump while you are trying to evaluate the situation. If she is not in her crate then she needs to be on a leash even to releive herself. Sorry for the long message and best of luck to you and your dog.

Georgia Hogman

Anonymous,
All of these folks are giving you great advice...Like Hammer said Glucosamine for tissue inflamation...it will only help create new healthy tissue...it will not get rid of what is torn,however you can get by and manage for a period with torn Cartilage or ACL...the tendon really comes into play with quick,hard feet planting and cutting ability...I'm not a big fan of quick inexpensive supplements and the reason is clear,most of the time these supplements are synthetics and are not 100% pure...It's way to complicated and drawn out to post on a message board...so I'll post this...I have for the past 11 years owned/operated Bates-Swope Enterprises and my wife will take all the calls that come in,we have literature,books ,videos you name it to substantiate these products we use,the facts are scientific and the companies we use are proven and of top notch quality...they also offer great Networking plans if that appeals to you.I have a letter on my products page about Barley Life,read it...on our website we have a ton of literature on products and what group of the body they help:total body,immune system,cardio,etc...The main reason I am most of the time reluctant to mention these products to folks is because,most folks are closed minded when it comes to Nutrition & Natural supplements...unless they are educated and have a passion for good health, natural remedies etc.

If anyone is interested my wife handles the phones every single day M-F 9-5...our number is 800-447-9772...our website is http://www.maryruthswope.com

I also carry the best dog supplements on the planet made by Canine Performance Nutrition...I carry Vertex for the working dogs and Structure for whelping,expecting mothers & puppies...I also have literature on these products! Anyone who knows Canine supplements needs no introduction to these products,there are plenty of sell quickly products on the market,but only a select few who offer the best in natural vitamins,aminos,minerals...CPN is that company!If anyone is interested in using this product then feel free to call.If CPN's Vertex was good enough for Edgar Eddington and his dog's it's certainly my choice of product!Thanks!


James

Glucosamine is an aminopolysaccharide (a combination of an amino acid - glutamine and a sugar - glucose). Glucosamine is concentrated in joint cartilage where it is incorporated in longer chains known as glycosaminoglycans and finally into very large structures known as proteoglycans. The proteoglycans function to attract water into the joint space for lubrication of the cartilage during movement.

The principle behind glucosamine supplementation is that the glucosamine is delivered to the joint space and incorporated into proteoglycans of joint cartilage to maintain structure and REPAIR DAMAGE. Glucosamine may also stimulate chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to begin producing healthy new cartilage matrix (both collagen and proteoglycans).


Glucosamine is NOT an anti-inflammatory. It is a REBUILDER and REPAIRER of cartilage.

Bottom line is this guy is facing a $1,500 surgery and an $18 supplement may help.

I have used it on several hunting dogs with great results.

Hammer

obviously you have never had a dog to tear his ACL. I am not a vet but ask any DVM and they will tell you that if it is in fact torn, you may feed as much glucosamine as you want and it will not repair a torn ACL. I hope that that isnt the case with this person, In my 25 years with pitbulls i have had some limp and with glucosamine and other products, rest and proper exercise have fully recovered and 3 have not because it was TORN.

respectfully,
Georgia Hogman

by the way, the ACL is not cartilage.

Hammer,
I totally agree...my only point is Glucosamine is mass produced ...I just believe if it were me I would purchase the real brand from a major company that specializes in natural supplements and has a good track record...JMO...Wal-Mart also carries Vitamin E and it is made 100% from synthetics not natural soy like say Grace E vitamin E...but folks have to make there own choices and most will always buy the cheapest product...me I'm gonna get what has proven results...but understand this anything is better than nothing at all!


James

Nobody knows better how to deal with beat up dogs than a hog hunter. thanks for your post Bacon...
Brian

Bacon,
That is correct...I stated in my post it will not heal a torn ligament or cartilage it will however help build new tissue as Hammer said and it is a great product if you buy a quality product from a reputable company! Thanks! Thomas Veterinary products carries an excellent assortment of proven products!


James