Update on Barney - torn cruciate recovery

[107barney]

It's been a while since I gave an update on Barney. Barney will be 12 this August and back at the end of January, he jumped off the bed and torn his cruciate ligament and cartilage and this resulted in his grade 2 luxating patella getting knocked into a grade 3. Barney's surgeon called the injury "catastropic" and did surgery and repaired the leg using the extracapsular repair and tibial transposition techniques.

Barney's recovery was doing great - he came out of the gate with a faster recovery than typical -- until he hit the 7 week mark post surgery. The surgical repair busted and Barney went lame. After a couple of weeks of strict rest and medication, the surgeon decided to do a revision surgery.

Barney had his second surgery 6 weeks ago.

Since he has had a long period of not using the leg, he has a 50% muscle loss. He has good range of motion but is favoring disuse of the leg, opting to run on three legs fast instead of gimp on four slowly.

We started rehabilitation therapy with him last week, and today, he had his second session. We are doing laser therapy, range of motion and massage, water treadmill therapy. Barney's rehab vet and therapist have high hopes for Barney's recovery.

Here is a short video clip of him in the water treadmill today. Isn't he doing great??

http://www.youtube.com/v/rs4bxH46pFs

[gemy]

Yes he is. Was it the right rear leg that had surgery? I know so well therapy for pups, were you at the front in the treadmill, keeping Barney interested in a toy or treat?

I really hope he continues to do well

[107barney]

Originally Posted by gemy

Yes he is. Was it the right rear leg that had surgery? I know so well therapy for pups, were you at the front in the treadmill, keeping Barney interested in a toy or treat?

I really hope he continues to do well

Yes, it was right rear leg. Could you tell by looking at the video? I have no experience w/ the therapy, this is our first time. He did 8 minutes today on the water treadmill. Yes, we were at the front talking to him. I feel like his atrophy will never improve and was a little taken aback when she said it was a 50% loss. I just want him to run and play again.

[ladyjane]

Looking good Barney! They all have atrophy like that and it comes back! He is going to be good as new in no time!

[chachi]

Aw that warms my heart to see barney on the water treadmill. Hes certainly been through alot and Im glad hes on the road of recovery

[107barney]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Looking good Barney! They all have atrophy like that and it comes back! He is going to be good as new in no time!

Thank you Linda....I hope so, it's been such a long time now and it's getting old now that we are in our 21st week!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Thank you Linda....I hope so, it's been such a long time now and it's getting old now that we are in our 21st week!

Yeah, you have all been through the mill on this.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by chachi

Aw that warms my heart to see barney on the water treadmill. Hes certainly been through alot and Im glad hes on the road of recovery

Thank you! It warms my heart when he uses the leg too, but he's so unwilling to use it without being forced that it makes me

[107barney]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Yeah, you have all been through the mill on this.

Yep....and patience is not my strong suit. But, I'm trying to be positive.

[jadabug]

Barney is looking good!! He is such a little trooper after all he has been through.

[lovespandp]

Bless his little heart- Poor guy!! Glad to see he is on the road to recovery-

Sending good thoughts and prayers for him! Keep up the good work!!

[Yorkiemom1]

Bless his heart....Barney is looking super! He is doing great on that water treadmill....with continued exercise, that muscle that is atrophied will return to 100%...if not 100%, at least 95%-98%. I have a dog with bilateral FHO surgery from a fractured pelvis and hip....she is back to 100% as far as the muscle atrophy is concerned. She favored one hind leg and would not walk on it....swimming and exercising up and down ramps and mounds /small hills, and figure 8's, built her muscles up and she has no noticable limp or favoring of either leg. Barney will be back to normal with all you are doing for him!

[yorkieusa]

Go, Barney, Go! He's doing his best, because he wants to run and play again, too. I think the therapy will do a world of good for Barney.

[lisaly]

Barney is such a good little boy! You must be so proud of him. I hope Barney continues to get better.

[TxVicki]

Way to go Barney. Looking good on that Treadmill.
Prayers for Barney's full recovery.