Cookie the Lab

CCL surgery

Unfortunately, Rimadyl medication on Cookie’s knee wasn’t enough. He started limping again by the end of the previous week, and the limp became more and more severe. The vet examined him for the “drawer sign”, and concluded that the anterior cruciate ligament was torn, and that there might also be a problem with the medial meniscus.

I had two options:

1. Back to anti - inflammatory medication (but treat only the inflammation and not the physical injury)
2. Surgery

It was a tough decision to make. Cookie is a young and active dog. It would have really been a pity not to let him enjoy what he lives for – running and sniffing around. Yet… it was a surgery. I was really frightened of all the things that could go wrong.

We eventually decided for surgery.

Cookie has had his extracapsular repair today. The vet said his ligament was partially torn and the meniscus not that damaged so he left them where they were, just stabilized the knee with artrex (extracapsular repair). He said that getting out the ligament and the meniscus would have done more damage than good.
Cookie is home now, I guess he is in pain because he cries sometimes, he can’t use his leg at all (and he shouldn’t for now).

Treat on the nose!

While we were waiting for Cookie’s knee to get better, we tried to make the time spent inside less boring for both of us. So we learned a new trick!

Happy news!

Cookie got checked by the vet today, the vet immediately said his gait was better, then he checked on both of his knees. The right knee is okay, and the left knee (the problematic one) has got a lot better!  :D

However, no running and big walkies for 2 more weeks! Oh, and no more meds!