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Poor baby...
Thu Jun 13 2002

Indigo recently injured one of her back legs playing in the back yard. She was running, took a corner too sharp and fast and went skidding.

She has done this before, and after a few days of favoring the leg has been fine. This has not resolved itself after a few days so yesterday we went into the vet to have it looked at.

I need to take her back this morning to have her leg x-rayed. We are hoping very much that this does not turn out to be a torn cruciate ligament (the vet suspects this). If it is torn we have been told the only solution is surgery which runs upwards of $1200.

Today I will be surfing the net to see if I can find more info on this. I seem to remember hearing from other people with Danes that there are non surgical treatments for torn ligaments, but for the life of me can't remember which Dane group I heard it from.

I suppose I will also be making a trip to the store to stock up on Glucosamine Chrondoitin (for joints) and vitamin C (for stress).

11 Comments
  • From:
    Salamander (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    To my knowledge, there is no substitute (especially in a large dog) for cruciate surgery if a cruciate ligament has been ruptured. These dogs simply put too much stress on those joints to be able to depend on muscles compensating for the "drawer" that develops at the joint because the bones can now slide against one another.

    If you do find anything out about viable alternatives, I'd be interested in hearing.
  • From:
    TraumaMama911 (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    When I worked as a vet tech, we repaired alot of those, but not at that price. Of course, that was many years ago. Really makes a person think about taking out pet medical insurance.
  • From:
    Pinkspiritlady (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    Be sure to ask the vet about giving the over the counter stuff. Some of the things good for us are not good for the pets systems. Poor thing. Disney twisted his leg running in the yard the other day too but it was better the next day. I know how exspensive vets are. We just spent $700.00 getting everyone shots and flea treatments for the summer, and Tiggers breathing condition fixed. Like the Vet said, " You just don't need to eat this month". Boy was he ever NOT kidding!
  • From:
    BarnacleBoo (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    I'm sorry to hear about your dog! I think pet medical insurance is a good idea. But I haven't gotten it yet. :P

    Hugh looks like he just woke up in this picture!

    xo
    Boo

  • From:
    Salamander (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    It might pay you to shop around a little bit for the surgery. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your veterinarian, but he really shouldn't mind you going for a second opinion somewhere in the area. He ought to even give you the radiographs to take along for the second vet to give a look at.

    If you can, look for a VMD instead of a DVM (grin).
  • From:
    Greensparkles (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    Awww Man!! I hope Indigo is alright!

    ps...Hugh's lookin fine today ; D
  • From:
    NooNoo (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    Oh, how unlucky :(. I really hope Indigo's leg doesn't require that awfully expensive surgery! My thoughts are with you two.

    ((Hugs))
    cur
  • From:
    Salamander (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jun 13 2002
    You remember correctly. The meniscus is one of two cartilagenous pads that help keep the bones sliding smoothly agains each other and also help buffer the bones from shocks (like from jumping down). Damage to the meniscus can result in some serious pain, and eventual arthritis if things are smoothed out.

    You dog must be a real athlete. This is a classic basketball player's injury! Football players too.
  • From:
    Slipperman (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jun 14 2002
    eeee-ouch!!! sorry about your poor indigo. sorry about your credit cards, too :(
  • From:
    Pinkspiritlady (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jun 14 2002
    I think this reminds me we need insurance. With six pets the monthly payment is high, but still might save our butts because we don't even have credit cards.
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jun 17 2002
    poor indigo :(