Help Needed! She is going to surgery again this Wednesday... tore the left leg ligament this time

[Izzy's Mom]

(... just typed this long message for my computer to freeze on me... just not my day )

Well, it happened again to her other leg and I am beyond upset trying to understand the reason and coping with her pain. Izzy had her first surgery last December after she tore her right leg ligament. It happened in October and with the hopes that it would heal on its own we waited couple months until the surgery became the only solution. Since then she has been on a slow road to recovery. Even now, almost 3 months since her first procedure she was still not using her right leg 100%. You could see that she wouldnt put her entire paw on the floor and still use her left leg that became much stronger.

We did everything we were supposed to.... surgery, therapy, confined her to her crate, took her inumerous times back to the vet for follow up visits, gave her extra vitamins, glucosamine, and arthrites supplements.... you name it and I did it.

Well.... last Friday I took her potty. Friday morning I was even thinking and counting the days to myself of when she would be able to return to day care and to play with her friends at the dog park and attend the bulldog meet ups in Houston. Anyways, she kicked some grass and that was all it took for the other leg ligament to bust. I look at her and she seemed in pain, immediately after happened and she was walking really weird, wobbling like she was having a hard time doing it. I brought her back home straight into her crate and the rest of my Friday I spent crying because now she wouldn't even walk. Her right leg still not 100% to carry her full body weight and her left leg now is also hurt.

I took her to the vet Saturday morning and the diagnosis is another ACL injury on the other leg. How is that possible???? Is it genetics? Normal? She is only 18 months old! In good shape, only 44 lbs... why?????!!!!! My poor baby has to be carried now when she goes potty and we have to put her to go throught months of being in a crate? I have such a hard time watching her in there... I spent my entire weekend crying looking at her stare at me with that sad face.


I just don't know what to think about this. It can't be normal....

 

[brutus77]

Oh no poor Izzy. I will keep her in y thoughts and prayers. Hopefully this will be the end of her troubles. Maybe when she is home and feeling a bit better you can leash her a let her snuggle right next to you on the couch that way she can be with you and with the leash she can't jump off.

 

[2BullyMama]

So sorry this is all happening, I am not sure it is normal, but it is very common just due to the build or our bullies, it is also very common in larger breeds.

We we had to have it done for Nitschke twice, he tore the one that was fixed so the second time we did a replacement instead of a repair. Ask your vet about it, see if it is an option.

As for the crate and rest... What we did for Nitschke, as we also could not handle him being in a crate 24/7, we emptied a bedroom of all the furniture... Placed a futon mattress on the floor with a lot of pillows and blankets and we took turned sleeping on the floor with him. We fed him in there, he had a water bowl and his toys. We baby gated the door way so the door was always open and he could see what was going on without being totally left out. We did have to carry him in and out of the house and up/down all stairs... It was a tough 6 months, but well worth it for him to get back to 100%.

good luck and let me know if you have any questions

here are a few pictures to give you the visual of the idea

 

[agentbunny]

Wow, Im sorry to heart that happened. It is something I dread. May I ask if the vet ever rated her patellas? Luxating pattellas sometimes lead to knee injuries.

 

[aprilemari]

aww that is so sad to hear, i know that it will be hard, but i know you can also get yourself and your bully through this. it just hurts my heart to think of your baby or anyone's baby in pain i'm thinking of you guys!!!

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[Sharon Mitchel]

Oh my. I am so sorry! Poor Izzy. Hopefully the surgery will go smoothly. You're definitely in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs!


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[Vikinggirl]

Hi, I'm so sorry You are going through this with Izzy again. I hope the second surgery is successful, and she heals quick, and gets back to herself soon. You have already received great advice from above members, I don't have any experience with this, so not much help for suggestions, but I'm sure members who have experience will come along soon to offer advice. Feel better Izzy, sending love, hugs and prayers your way.

 

[nycbullymama]

Oh man, so sorry to hear this. I can imagine how you're feeling .

If you have the room, I think what [MENTION=2894]2BullyMama[/MENTION] did is a great idea. She'll have some room to wander but can't hurt herself.

Keep us updated.

 

[Rural mystic]

Terrible news. Sad. Its not unusual when they tear one knee then the other goes out to from what I have read. Because they are using the good one way more and and its awkward movement. Sorry, I know it must be gut wrenching

 

[Izzy's Mom]

So sorry this is all happening, I am not sure it is normal, but it is very common just due to the build or our bullies, it is also very common in larger breeds.

We we had to have it done for Nitschke twice, he tore the one that was fixed so the second time we did a replacement instead of a repair. Ask your vet about it, see if it is an option.

As for the crate and rest... What we did for Nitschke, as we also could not handle him being in a crate 24/7, we emptied a bedroom of all the furniture... Placed a futon mattress on the floor with a lot of pillows and blankets and we took turned sleeping on the floor with him. We fed him in there, he had a water bowl and his toys. We baby gated the door way so the door was always open and he could see what was going on without being totally left out. We did have to carry him in and out of the house and up/down all stairs... It was a tough 6 months, but well worth it for him to get back to 100%.

good luck and let me know if you have any questions

here are a few pictures to give you the visual of the idea

View attachment 67547View attachment 67548View attachment 67549View attachment 67550

Just dropped her off

I am shopping on Amazon right now for a play pen so I can put on top of our tv room rug which is the area we spent most of our time, that way she can stay around us during her recovery.... also I may camp there and sleep with her.

 

[2BullyMama]

Just dropped her off

I am shopping on Amazon right now for a play pen so I can put on top of our tv room rug which is the area we spent most of our time, that way she can stay around us during her recovery.... also I may camp there and sleep with her.

Hugs and prayers to you and Izzy.... Keep us posted


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[Izzy's Mom]

Hugs and prayers to you and Izzy.... Keep us posted


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Thanks, I am picking her up today. Can't wait to have my baby back home with me!

 

[Scueva]

Very sorry to read this. Does she have luxating patellas? A lot of times luxating patellas can put extra strain on the ligaments and cause injury and since the knees aren't properly diagnosed the ligaments keep getting reinjured. Was she seen and diagnosed by a specialist or your normal vet? If your normal vet then I would consider going to a specialist. Sorry you are going through this. It's never easy.

 

[Sharon Mitchel]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'd sleep with her too. poor baby!


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[samnie]

i feel for you. i feel exactly the same right now. last week, vet suspected "possible ACL trauma" and sent us home with meds. today, completely torn on right and partial tear on left. she is only 14 months old. she is a very active bully and seeing her confined in her crate just breaks my heart.

i hope your izzy is doing better! hugs!!