my dog may have cruciate trouble

[babykins16]

hi,does any 1 know any thing about my bichon rear hind leg and limping for 3 days? took him to the vets last night and he gave him an antiinflammatary jab and tablets for 5 days and then the vet says to give him a bell in 4 days as he will do investigative surgery and x rays but if it is that (which he says it most prob is) he wont operate any way so what will my poor dog do then? ive been so upset .My louis is 10 yrs 0ld today!) thank you Ann marie

[chinnynz]

why wont the vet operate? Is it his age? 10 is not old for a bichon.

[babykins16]

The vet said he wouldnt operate because he is too small a dog and if it was a large dog he would have to operate as a lage dog has too much weight to support so he will leave my dog to limp most of his life.Bichons average life span is 16 yrs so a 10yr old dog is over half his age expectancy. Thank you Ann marie

[Noweia]

What happened to make your dog sore? Was he running about and the leg suddenly got sore, or have there been any problems with that leg in the past?

If it happened suddenly, the injury will either be a strain/sprain or cruciate ligament damage. Bichon frises are a breed more prone to getting cruciate problems, so your vet is right - it is likely this is the cause of your pet's problems.

There shouldn't be any reason not to operate because of size - some surgical techniques are most successful in smaller dogs. Leaving the knee joint unstabilised may also cause further problems, e.g. arthritis. However, there are treatments that don't involve surgery - things like stopping the knee from moving and physiotherapy; maybe this is what your vet had in ming when he said he didn't want to operate?

In any case, tell your vet that you are worried about your dog, and he should listen to you. If you really want surgery, ask him to pass you on to another vet who will operate, or get him to refer you to an orthopaedic specialist who will do it. Failing this, go and find another vet!

[snug]

Don't know much about small dogs, but could it just be arthritis. Try giving him fish oil. Also try another vet.

[cruella]

Hi babykins16
I cannot understand why your vet is not happy to operate. My last Westie suffered from the same problem after he slipped on the steps of a caravan.
He was not a big dog and my vet carried out the operation without any hesitation or problems.
It did leave him with a limp for a couple of weeks after the op but I massaged the hind leg myself every day until he started walking normally. The operation was quite costly though. Hope you get your dog sorted out.

[babykins16]

hi, norweia,snug,cruella,thanks for your replies.In relation to your questions my louis was fine before i went shopping and louis has already got a bit of athritis and i am indeed worried and ive told the vet im worried obviously as i would of not taken hin to vets and wouldnt be asking on here! Cruella,i have been massaging his leg and funny enough he doesnt mind but still having the tablets and still limping but i am thinking of a second opinion as im not too happy with the vet my dogs see. Thank you all. Ann marie.

[cruella]

Hope you get good new soon babykins16
I know how worried you must be
Good luck anyway. and also to louis

[babykins16]

Thank you so much cruella.Ann marie