We believe that Leland’s cruciate ligament has gone out in his other back leg this evening. My husband was outside with him so Leland could go to the bathroom. He turned his back for a minute and heard Leland yelp and then turned and saw him go down. Leland won’t put any weight on the hind leg now. We got a hold of the surgeon (who’s out of town) and he advised we can only give Leland the Prednisone since he’s been on that for the suspected auto-immune disorder. If there is no improvement in the morning he advised to call him back and he’ll have his colleague come in to take a look at Leland.
We are so afraid that we’ll have to put him to sleep. How will he manage being a rear leg amp while the TPLO procedure is healing? How will he go to the bathroom…he’d just gotten it figured out with being a tripod. We are so lost on what to do for him…he’s still wants to live but how can he manage with no rear legs until the TPLO procedure heals. Then there’s the cost of a 3rd surgery and are we selfish to put him through another procedure? He has been through sooooo much already. We are not rich by no means and we’ve spent approx. $10,000 already between MRI’s, multiple biopsies, a TPLO surgery, an amputation surgery, around 9 days in the clinic for recoveries from surgeries and to fight the infection that could have killed, plus all the meds and x-rays.
My husband is blaming himself for what happened tonight so I need to be strong for him and Leland and I’m falling apart inside. If we don’t do something I feel like we’re giving up on our baby but realistically I don’t know what else we can do.
I was so hoping that we’d have longer than this with our baby and I don’t understand how life can be so cruel to a dog who never hurt anyone and only showed affection to those he met.
….you’ll see my other post on your thread.
I KNOW Leland is a fighter and I KNOW there are others who have gone through this and there IS i fo. here, I just can’t figure out how to get younthe links! I,m just waaaaay too computer stupid! But keep looking at the threads/titles under Ask a Vet and you’ll see lots of things related to this very subject.
Also, Jerry has a thread to alternatives for healing these types of things when surgery is not an optiom. She,ll read this and post it tomorrow I’m sure!
HA G ON….HELP ISMON TNE WAY!, This IS doable!! PROMISE!
Sending so many hugs!!
Sally and Hapoy Hannah
We understand the difficulty your in. Our Snoop has serious back issuers and a compromised rear left, with being a right front amputee. I know easy said then done but wait until your vet can assess him if possible. Then you’ll know what your options may be. I know how stressful this is we understand the emotion and the challenge with the cost. For Snoop we just tried cold laser therapy. This vet is able to come to the house to do the laser,which makes it easier. I’ve just tried to see whatever options are available. It’s not easy….
Hope you get encouraging news for Leland.
Esther and her Snoop
I want to chime in to let you know that it IS possible to deal with surgery to the remaining back leg. Our Murphy had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg almost a year and a half ago. He did just fine, even though it took time and a lot of effort on our part to get his rehabbed. Daisy had surgery to her cruciate ligament following her amp, too. Check out her story.
I would suggest that you get in touch with an orthopedic surgeon or a vet school near you, of there is one, and have them check him out.
Kathi and Murphy
Hang in there guys, try not to think the worst. Please let us know what the vet tells you OK? We’re thinking of you and sending all our love for a complete recovery.