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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Jax's Mom's Avatar
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    1 year old, knee inflammation

    Ok, I took Jax to the vet for his shots. He also had an issue a week ago on 2 separate occasions at puppy play. Here's the tale:

    He thinks in his mind that he is a kangaroo when he gets excited. He never jumps much otherwise but when the words "do you want to play with the puppies" are uttered he magically becomes a kangaroo. It's crazy! So last Monday he goes and at some point he is being a kangaroo and lands with a yelp and guards the right hind leg so they remove him from the pack and check him out. After a few minutes he is back to normal and begging either that sweet (denture like) smile to go back with his friends. He is no longer guarding the leg and has proceeded to return to kangaroo status.

    No similar issues at home. He lets me manipulate every joint including toes. Not a peep.

    Thursday back to play because Mom has a Dr appointment and it's rained every day so he needs to play and bad. It happens again. I intentionally did not tell him where we were going to prevent the kangaroo action. We we turn in he leaps from the car and runs into the building so he can kangaroo there while I sign him in....Labs - never dull.

    We had an appointment on Monday to go to the vet for shots and such so again after checking him over twice again he makes nary a peep so I decide to wait till our scheduled appointment.

    The vet sees him and takes xrays at my request, even though nothing seems to be "up" (yep, I'm overprotective). Hips look great for a lab, probably not looking at too many issues there (you know "best guess") but the right knee has a bit of inflammation. (I'm getting sad.) No real problems yet, no not too many ways to prevent, cause he will run, play and jump no matter what. She is nice enough to inform me that at some point he may need knee surgery since it is already inflamed and is honest enough to say that I should start him a little savings account just in case. I say how much of an account might he need?? Around $2500 or so.depending of course on what or how bad it is and when (or if-unlikely) especially since he believes he is in fact a kangaroo.

    I'm not kidding, the staff at puppy play (who are amazing and babied me when I dropped him off to play the first time and cried- yep I did) suggested that he be a kangaroo for Halloween.

    So the point of this long story is this: is this a lab thing? Is there anything I can do to help him? Should I call a pet psychologist to convince him that he is in fact a Lab not a kangaroo? (Kidding about the last one, sort of.)

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    So, what is it, partially torn acl? Did the vet do a drawer test? Since he is asymptomatic, I'll leave it be. Rest him for about two weeks, put him on glucosamine + chondroitine supplements, and try to reduce the jumping. Since we've managed one partially torn acl with conservative management, I don't think surgery is the only option.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  4. #3
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    Hmm, it's hard to tell what's really going on and my first thought is your vet is being a bit vague,or not specific enough. I'd seek a second opinion before surgery but I would also explore all preventative and non-surgical managements first.

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    Jax's Mom (08-07-2014)

  6. #4
    Real Retriever 3ChocMom's Avatar
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    You need to do something about the inflammation. Rest may be all that is needed, but you may want to ask about laser therapy as well. I would only suggest medication if he seems to have pain.

    That said, since your vet mentioned knee surgery, I'm guessing she thinks his CCL will tear one day, if it isn't already partially torn. Since he's not limping, I would try limiting his activity for 2-4 weeks and then see how he does. You could try training the jumping out of him, but honestly, if his knees are going to tear, they're going to tear eventually from something. Is he coming down awkwardly? Unless he is, or it's a structure/genetic issue, it's hard for me to imagine that this jumping all by itself is enough to tear a ligament. Brandy jumps when she gets excited, for her food, when she knows she's going in the car, etc. Unless she landed weird and hard, I can't imagine this causing any problems.

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  8. #5
    Senior Dog Jax's Mom's Avatar
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    At this point she thinks it only needs rest. She just mentioned to start saving for him because he may require surgery at some point, should he tear it. We have been waiting until we are in the car to tell him where we are going so he can't get jumpy.

    He's not limping and he doesn't seem to be in any pain. Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it so much!

  9. #6
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    Luxating Patella

  10. #7
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bueller View Post
    Luxating Patella
    ?

    ..
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  12. #8
    Puppy DuryLane's Avatar
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    Unfortunately, I'd discontinue his puppy play classes for now to help curb his jumping and exacerbating the situation. It's probably going to cause his energy level to become a bit antsy, but I'd focus more on controlled walking or an activity that doesn't involve sudden, jerking movements.

    This may very well require more medical attention down the road, but as others have mentioned, before you go ahead and do any kind of surgery, consider getting the opinion of an orthopedic specialist and then take it from there.

    In the meantime, keep him on his four feet and try to control any kind of jerking, jumping or sudden twisting type of movement activity or play. Bummer, I know, but hopefully this is something that can heal itself with some rest and controlled activity.

  13. #9
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    The way a dog moves is completely different if they have a cruciate issue vs. a luxating patella issue. Both happen and both can require surgery.

    I would put the dog on joint supplements and try to curb the jumping. Be aware, many labs have cruciate issues (big strong heavy dogs have knee injuries just like football players do!), and many times they will blow both knees out. So if the vet said one knee surgery would be $2500, plan on $5k. Hudler had both of his done. One blew in June 2005 and the 2nd in September 2005. He's our "Six Thousand Dollar Dog"....

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    Jax's Mom (08-30-2014)

  15. #10
    Senior Dog Jax's Mom's Avatar
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    I think we are off to the vet again. Twice last week Jax did the whole play then hold the right rear leg up for a brief moment then back to play. I read up on luxating patella and it does seem to describe his actions. I'm going with these posts so I can ask about the supplements as well.

    As always I can count on you all to help me out! Thanks.

 



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