Bruno TPLO - again ( sorry) video attached

Hi, us again

Am still not happy with the weight or lack thereof that bruno is putting through his back leg, and its quite a trek back to the vets with 3 kids at moment so want to get opinions first before I arrange to revisit. I am calling vet tomorrow again to discuss my concerns and to email him the video but what o you think - Am i expecting too much or is he really not weight bearing at all here....



video still loading on youtube so might be few minutes before its viewable.

Don't apologise, you are naturally concerned and it helps to talk about it doesn't it.

He is not keen to put his full weight on that leg is he, and the best person to talk to, as you have said, is your vet. However, I will say that when our last dog had her cruciate op (she was early teens at the time if I remember rightly) it was many months before she was totally sound. I know that it was probably a different type of op, and things have moved on somewhat, but an older dog will take longer to come back up to speed.

I do hope that your vet is encouraging, and that there is no real cause for concern at this stage.

Cuddles for both of you

It looks to me as if Bruno is definitely favouring that leg, but he is putting some weight down on it when he walks.

Please give him a huggle from me. xx

He is putting a wee bit of weight on it, Dani. I wouldn't worry too much at this stage, he's probably still quite sore and that's why he's favouring it.

Is he still on pain meds? If not, perhaps the vet will suggest some more.

Roxy was hopping for quite a while after her op, although it wasn't bone related but tissue.

Still, it's a good idea to speak to your vet and let them see the video, but from my totally non profressional view, I reckon his leg is just a bit sore still.

Sorry don't know any history but when was the op, has he had any hydrotherapy or physio? Did your vet do the op?

If the op was more than 4-6 weeks ago personally I wouldn't be happy with the progress. It may be the meniscus is involved.

Don't lose heart, I've had 2 dogs over the years who had to have the op. redone (not TPLO 1st times tho) and they were fine after. The 1st dog had an infection, vet opened the knee up again, and the 2nd one went on to a specialist who then did a TPLO and after months of hydro both dogs became sound. After the TPLO op I had to take her back for X-rays after 6 weeks to see how it was (standard procedure with them).

Sorry for what is most likely an obvious question. But without looking, how long ago was the op? How long was he left for before being operated on?

Danni I think it is almost three weeks since the op?
I don't think Bruno is doing too bad considering , he is taking some weight.
I would give it a bit longer before being concerned...

3 weeks.
Well personally Id like him to be using it a bit more. Im not sure what Bruno is like normally, but to me his demeanour is depressed and uncomfortable. I do not know if he is a normally bubbly dog though, just looking on that video.

Certainly speak to the Vet. maybe, being an older dog he just needs a bit more time.

I wouldn't be too worried at this stage, especially him being an older dog. He is putting some weight on it, I expected it to look worse to be honest after reading your post. I am sure Shady was at a similar point at this stage, although she was under sedation, and still trying to go everywhere at 100mph. She had to be crated and just come out on a lead to go for a wee. Wish she had been good like your boy so she could have had more freedom.
Obviously your vet is the best person to check with though.

thanks everyone for your opinions, I have spoken to the vet every week, the op was 17th april, and he has been on bed rest since with just lead toileting allowed. We do let him have more freedom at night when kids are in bed so he is not at risk of getting stood on etc. He isn't a hugely bouncy dog but is certainly much more happy now, this week than he has been, and has been almost trotting greetings etc whereas before he wouldn't even get up.

HIs meniscus was unharmed by the cruciate injury so the vet was pleased with that.
He was nursing the injury for some time before the op, he has been compensating on his leg for probably a couple of months and we only really noticed properly when the muscle wastage started to become more apparent.

I did wonder whether the muscle wastage has something to do with it as he doesn't have the muscle there to support him as much anymore.

They have stated 4 weeks pure rest before doing any kind of hydrotherapy/physio etc

The vet himself suggested he would have expected proper weight bearing by now, but the specialist vet who did the op is over an hour away and I am only just back to driving this week after my c-section so haven't been back - follow up X-rays aren't for another good few weeks...

will speak to vet tommorow and send him the clip and see what he thinks.

Dawn - his demeanour is pretty much him, thats his sad staffie - why has my dish not refilled face he has on there - not too unusual for him !!

He is a bit more down but i think part of that is because he is missing his walks...