Partial CCL (ACL) Tear??
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 5:34 pm
Hi All -
Figured this gang would have some good insight/advice. Our Lab/Weim mix is 6 years old (7 in March). During her past 3 hunts here in western PA, she's been limping pretty good on her back left leg for about 3 to 4 days afterwards. During the hunt, she's all business. Couldn't slow her up if you tried. But afterwards, upon getting home and the first day afterwards, she's totally lame on her left back leg and barely uses it. After that, she has another day or two of limping around, but uses the leg more. Usually by day 5, she's good to go and back to her normal self. We took her to the vet today as this has happened for the 3rd time. He said it doesn't appear to be her foot or hip, and seems like it could be a partial CCL tear, some arthritis, or a little combo of both. We did perform a SNAP test for Lymes, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis and Heartworm: all negative (and she religiously receives her flea, tick, heartworm meds).
Also, when she's playing with our other pup in the yard, or out for shorter hikes, it's not a problem. This really only crops up after a longer hunt.
Just curious what you folks think on this? It's a new vet we're seeing (we've recently moved). I'm not sure about him yet as he was very brief. When I asked if we should be more aggressive with the partial CCL tear diagnosis (rather than just wait for it to potentially tear completely) he said to just give her the anti-inflammatory and joint supplement (she's already on one) and see how she does. She's very active, LOVES to hunt and be out in the woods in the offseason. She would be devastated to be sidelined for the recovery of a full tear, so if we can head this off before it would totally rip, then I would obviously prefer that.
Not sure if we should pursue this further? And if so...what are the options? Is an MRI required or should a doc be able to diagnose pretty well via physical exam?
Thanks!
Brooke
Figured this gang would have some good insight/advice. Our Lab/Weim mix is 6 years old (7 in March). During her past 3 hunts here in western PA, she's been limping pretty good on her back left leg for about 3 to 4 days afterwards. During the hunt, she's all business. Couldn't slow her up if you tried. But afterwards, upon getting home and the first day afterwards, she's totally lame on her left back leg and barely uses it. After that, she has another day or two of limping around, but uses the leg more. Usually by day 5, she's good to go and back to her normal self. We took her to the vet today as this has happened for the 3rd time. He said it doesn't appear to be her foot or hip, and seems like it could be a partial CCL tear, some arthritis, or a little combo of both. We did perform a SNAP test for Lymes, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis and Heartworm: all negative (and she religiously receives her flea, tick, heartworm meds).
Also, when she's playing with our other pup in the yard, or out for shorter hikes, it's not a problem. This really only crops up after a longer hunt.
Just curious what you folks think on this? It's a new vet we're seeing (we've recently moved). I'm not sure about him yet as he was very brief. When I asked if we should be more aggressive with the partial CCL tear diagnosis (rather than just wait for it to potentially tear completely) he said to just give her the anti-inflammatory and joint supplement (she's already on one) and see how she does. She's very active, LOVES to hunt and be out in the woods in the offseason. She would be devastated to be sidelined for the recovery of a full tear, so if we can head this off before it would totally rip, then I would obviously prefer that.
Not sure if we should pursue this further? And if so...what are the options? Is an MRI required or should a doc be able to diagnose pretty well via physical exam?
Thanks!
Brooke