Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Six Months Post Knee Tear

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Seven months ago,  Sampson did a partial CCL tear on his right knee. The week before the partial tear, he was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and a heart murmur. So surgery to repair the tear was not an option.

You can see the spot just above his knee where they shaved him for the Ultrasound.

Sleeping off the day at the vet’s office.

Instead, we had to give Sampson time…time to let some scar tissue to build up and provide some support in that knee.

It’s been a very painful process. Poor Sampson has no choice but to walk and use that bum leg. We did our best to limit his use of the leg and have given him a number of different supplements. Even so, you can see by watching Sampson that it’s a challenge. I can’t even watch him walk because it just hurts my heart.

From what I understand, a non-surgical healing of the knee takes a minimum of six to seven months, so I thought now was a good time to have it checked to see where we’re at.

So on Thursday, August 11th, Sampson went to the vet for a check on his right knee.

After examining him, Dr. Soutter said the knee has thickened, which is what is expected, but sadly, both of his Iliopsoas (ill-e-oh-so-as)Muscles are strained.

The Iliopsoas muscle is a very deep muscle right in the crease where the leg meets the hip. Because it is so deep, and does such an important job, it can take a very long time to heal. Iliopsoas strains are very common in big dogs, with CCL injuries.

Now mind, Sampson’s had shaky legs since last October and I brought this to her attention at his annual exam in the beginning of November.  At that time, she said it was old age tremors. But I never really bought that. I really thought it was muscular. So needless to say, I’m a wee bit pissed off that he’s been struggling with this for so long, undiagnosed.

I put my anger aside, and we discussed what types of treatments/supplements/medications we could give to Sampson to help him feel better.

Currently he gets Dasaquan, LigaPlex II, Catalyn and Green Lipped Mussel for supplements. For pharmaceuticals he gets Gabapentin and Carprofen.

I asked about Adequan injections and acupuncture. She feels with the tightness of the Iliopsoas, it really wouldn’t help right now.

So then I asked about muscle relaxers. I mean, the muscles are tight right? In my mind the logical step is something that relaxes the muscle. My vet said she normally wouldn’t suggest it, but she felt in this case, he could really benefit from them. So he came home with a bottle of Methocarbamol, with the instructions to start out with 1 three times per day, but the actual dosage would be 1 1/2 three times per day. She just wanted to make sure they didn’t make him loopy.

I started him out with one twice a day, and have maintained that schedule with him. So far, he’s maintaining his sense of decorum.

Her other suggestion, was stretching and massage. So anytime I think of it, or anytime he sticks his legs up in the air for a tummy rub, I get down on the floor and stick my hand in the crease between his leg and hip, and I massage those muscles, and stretch out those legs.

I’ve been doing this for 12 days now and what I’ve noticed is when I first started, I could feel a lump. One on each leg. NOW, the lumps are much smaller!

I really think it’s helping! I’ve noticed he’s not trembling as much when he’s lying down. Oh, he still trembles when he stands, but lying down, his muscles seem to be so much more relaxed than they were.

Please note, I am not a veterinarian and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice for your pet. If your pet is injured, you should discuss all of your options, with your own trusted vet.
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Comments

  1. Hopefully the combination of everything is really helping him out. Sometimes it is amazing what some stretching and massaging can accomplish too. Poor guy. We really hope he can feel better soon.

  5. happy to hear that progress is being made. Taryn stated good points, perhaps you could find one in your area.
    lily might benefit as well during the winter months. happy that you both mentioned massage therapy as i would never have thought of it.
    what a sense of relief and joy you must be feeling being able to help Samson and seeing progress made!
    thanks for the update. nose smooch to Samson and hugs to you.

  6. I give Shadow (and gave Callie) light massages during a bad t-storm. It helps/helped relax my girls and lets them know they are loved. And, sometimes, when I can get Ducky to sit still for a second or two when she’s stressed, I will rub/massage her head around/behind/between/in front of her ears and then she relaxes a little bit.
    Shadow has been on carprofen, too, for her inflamed CCL, and it’s doing wonders for her.
    I hope all the meds/nutraceuticals/massage, and whatnot helps your sweet boy!! He needs his strength if he’s gonna try humping Delilah again.

  8. What a long road it’s been for you! I admire how you take such a proactive approach with this, sometimes doctors (human and animal) need to be pushed a bit by being asked lots of questions. I’m so glad that what you are doing is helping, and so hope that it continues to do so.
    I’ve seen the old age trembling (Sheba has it now) but I’ve only ever seen it when they are standing, not when lying down.

  10. I’m so glad the massage and muscle relaxant strategy is working pretty well so far for Sampson. I knew he injured his knee around the same time Haley tore her CCL, but I totally missed the fact that he wasn’t able to have surgery.

    I’ve seen a few dogs wearing a knee brace. I wonder if that might be a option for Sampson too.

  11. I’m so glad that you’re seeing a difference. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for more progress that makes both of you more comfortable!