Achilles Ligament Tear

by Dennis
(Kansas)


Our Great Pyrenee (148 lbs) came to the house limping night before last. He is nine and a half years old and has been healthy, but a trip to the vet yesterday and X-rays revealed he has torn his Achilles ligament and surgery is required. We brought him home and are giving him pain pills, but the vet is hesitant to do surgery on him because of his age and size. I am heartbroken for him and don't know how to help him. Has anyone had any experience with this?

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Jun 04, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tear
by: Donna

Perhaps you mean cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) and it connects their bone below the knee (tibia) to their bone above the knee (femur).

In any case, if it is the achilles ligament, don't be heart broken. You are better without surgery. Just give him rest time. Walk him with a towel to support him around his wait just to do his business and that's it. It will heal with time and patience. You might also consider laser therapy and a water treadmill, massage, and/or acupuncture.

As for experience for tears, yes. I would never have surgery done again since both dogs healed to some degree with with laser therapy, water therapy, and massage, and acupuncture, but eventually the leg weakened and the leg has become worse with age.

Consider this information although for the CCL, the idea is still the same:

Ligament Tear
Jun 04, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank You
by: Dennis

Thank you Donna. The vet yesterday did not give me a lot of encouragement that our dog "Happy" would be okay. Happy had a better day today. He got up and moved a few times but he isn’t using that hind leg. He eats well, and drinks well. I am so afraid we might lose him, and at his age I guess it should be expected, but I love that dog and just can’t bear the thought.
Jun 07, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tear
by: Donna

Make sure to help him up, Dennis. He is still young in my eyes. I know a Pyr who lived to 16-years-old. No, they may not all live that long, but I think he still has at least a couple of years if not more.

Help him when you see he needs help. Make use of a towel around his waist. It will take time to make use of that leg. Two to three months. No walks, just to do his business.

Hang tight and be patient.

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