So my 15 month old CLM (and me of course) have been dealing with a sporadic rear right leg limp for 5 weeks now. We have had hip x-rays which came back OFA "good". My primary vet feels he has strained, stretched, or partially torn his cruciate ligament (not sure which one) based on slight movement in his knee. She recommend rimadyle and 100% rest for three weeks then re-evaluate. We went in for a re-evaluation today and I saw a differnt vet in the practice. This vet basically said it looks like he has a partial tear or stretch (based on watching him walk and movement in knee), I do not feel surgery is warrented at this time, here are some good joint supplaments (better be good because they were $138 for 250 pills) and more rimadyle (20 days this time) and you should go back to running and training as long as he feels up to it. When he tears the ligament then we (or someone) will do surgery.
Now we talked for a while but that is still what she was saying.
I asked that the vet in the practice who did the exam three weeks ago discuss with this vet and call me to discuss with me.
I am uncomfortable with just saying "screw it, he is going to tear it anyway so lets get it over with".
Should be noted that there have been no MRI or otherwise to confirm the tear.
I'm about $600 deep in this limp at this point. Not worried about the money but I don't like wasting it if that is what I am doing. Should I just go to a specialist now or give him more rest for another two to three weeks and see where we are.
Another note, I just walked him up the road and back and saw no favoring of the leg at all. I am struggling to see what the vet said she saw when she took him for a short walk at the facility. Reportedly it was very slight but noticable. I guess my issue is I was of the opinion he was getting better based on him not carrying the leg and when I go back and see a different vet basically it is "he'll make a fine family dog but will always have issues".
Thoughts, suggestions, experience?
Jason
Now we talked for a while but that is still what she was saying.
I asked that the vet in the practice who did the exam three weeks ago discuss with this vet and call me to discuss with me.
I am uncomfortable with just saying "screw it, he is going to tear it anyway so lets get it over with".
Should be noted that there have been no MRI or otherwise to confirm the tear.
I'm about $600 deep in this limp at this point. Not worried about the money but I don't like wasting it if that is what I am doing. Should I just go to a specialist now or give him more rest for another two to three weeks and see where we are.
Another note, I just walked him up the road and back and saw no favoring of the leg at all. I am struggling to see what the vet said she saw when she took him for a short walk at the facility. Reportedly it was very slight but noticable. I guess my issue is I was of the opinion he was getting better based on him not carrying the leg and when I go back and see a different vet basically it is "he'll make a fine family dog but will always have issues".
Thoughts, suggestions, experience?
Jason