Ligament Surgery Help

[rbehrens]

My 9 year old female started to limp on her right rear leg a few months ago. When it first happend I took her to the vet and he took x-rays and did blood work. He could not see anything in the x-rays and the blood test showed borderline Lymes. He explained that the Lymes test were not very accurate but as a precaution he gave me pills for my girl. He suggested going to an orhto specilist which I did two weeks later. He moved her knee around a little, looked at the xrays and said she needed ligament (cranial) surgery. Her hips are fine and she has some arthritis which I give her rymidal too help it. When she runs all legs are moving as they always have and she can jump as high as always. When she first gets up in the morning she moves around with no probelm as the day progresses she starts to keep weight off that leg. When you hold her legs and she pushes against your hands there is equal strength in both rear legs. I'm very concerned about having a surgery that intensive at 9 years old and if in fact it is a ligment injury. I have had ligment surgery in my knee and could not put weight on my leg at the time. I know that rotts have a high pain threshold. I want to do what is the absoulute best for her. Looking for help on this probelm.

[RottnRotti]

My Rotti Tequila had cruciate (knee ligament)problems about 3 months ago, sounded very like your dog, I hated the thought of surgery as my girl has the horrible habbit of not breathing for long periods during surgery, I almost lost her once so now only let her be sedated/anaesthatised if really necessary. I discussed this prob with various vets and decided to try her on 4 cartrophen injections over a month ( a week between each injection) strict rest, no chasing of tennis balls etc and swimming as exercise. She has improved about 90% and now only has probs after long walks. The surgery is very effective but I will only do it when I've no other choice. I hope your dog recovers and doesn't need surgery. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

The main thing is to keep there weight down. The more weight the more damage. The problem with that is that they are suppose to have limited exersise which means they are not burning off there food. So their food intake must also be reduced.I am about 6 months after surgery, Cyann is doing very well after changing vets. Anytime she would start limping again the old vet would give me rymidal. The new vet told me to buy glucosamine/chondoitin 1000mg in the morning and 500mg at night. She also gave me some chinese pills called great corydalis and solitary hermit which she gets evey morning.
I am not a vet nor do I have vast knowledge in this but it seems if rymidal is a pain killer the dog will not feel the pain, and will feel as if nothing is wrong,thus causing more damage. This seems to be becoming more and more of a common problem with the breed. hope all goes well.

Are you 100% confident in your vet?? Your baby either has Lyme, or does not have it. It is very EASY to spot in a blood test and, vets can tell how severe. What you are describing is exactly how my Max started out and he does have Lyme. He still has a very full, good quality life. I would get your baby tested for Lyme, that could be the cause of the damage and if it is surgery will be a temporary help until more joints are damaged! Good Luck.