Archer
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Since October, Archer appeared to be having lameness in his rear legs, was reluctant to sit and had difficulty rising from a laying position. Initially the Veterinarian thought he was having lumbosacral disease, as his L7-S1 vertebrae are congenitally stenotic as revealed on MRI and XRay. After he was treated for LS disease, he got better, but then after a few months, he grew worse. We treated him again for LS disease and although he responded during treatment, he declined again afterwards. I took him back to the vet for sedation Xrays to assess his spine for further progression, during which, my Vet palpated his knees and discovered that both had drawers....which means that Archer ruptured his ACL in both his knees! So after being cleared by a Neurologist two weeks ago tonorrow Archer had a TTA to repair his left knee. During his surgery, they found he ruptured ACL 100%, his CCL 80% and tore 25% of his meniscus. The vet was impressed that Archer had been able to walk on his knee in the shape it was in. Just proves what a determined and good boy he is 
His right knee will also require surgery, but the surgeries have to be scheduled 8 weeks apart at minimum. Right now, I am doing passive range of motion therapy with him at home along with applying ice and heat to his knee. He is still getting acupuncture and cold laser therapy on both knees to help with the discomfort during therapy and prior to his second surgery. We do daily physical therapy sessions at home as part of a 12 week program my vet recommends in order to allow Archer to regain full range of motion in his knees. He has faith that once the right knee is repaired and Acher is recovered that he will be able to return to his life as a performance dog. He has been enjoying his retirement, but you can definitely tell he misses having a job. I have been able to keep him active in nosework and barn hunt, which he loves and it makes him feel like he's keeping busy. Of course I don't push him on his bad days.
His first postop recheck is
Wednesday where they will do an Xray to check hardware placement and remove his staples. Will keep you guys posted on how he does. He will have another recheck at 4 weeks post op and one final evaluation at 8 weeks. If he passes his 8 week exam, the Vet will okay him to proceed with surgery on his right knee.
I have included information on the TTA procedure if any of you are interested in knowing more about it. It is a fairly new surgery and imho is a better procedure for young or active dogs
TTA Surgery
Pictures of Archer
At the Specialty clinic waiting to see the Neurologist for surgery clearance
"Touching" the door in the exam room as we wait to be seen. "Touch it" is one of his favorite ways to communicate. It's often a command I use to keep his mind busy during long wait times. He was excited to see the vet and he knows he comes in through this door
Just had his presurgery bath, ear cleaning and dremel. All snuggled up to go to sleep
Hit poor naked leg
Bruising from the surgery
A little edema at his ankle
His poor Frankenstein leg
An Xray of a TTA postop. This is not Archer's film, but gives you an idea of what is going on inside
Being iced post therapy. His favorite vet tech put the bandana on him at discharge. They all adore him
He always sleeps through his ice therapy
His right knee will also require surgery, but the surgeries have to be scheduled 8 weeks apart at minimum. Right now, I am doing passive range of motion therapy with him at home along with applying ice and heat to his knee. He is still getting acupuncture and cold laser therapy on both knees to help with the discomfort during therapy and prior to his second surgery. We do daily physical therapy sessions at home as part of a 12 week program my vet recommends in order to allow Archer to regain full range of motion in his knees. He has faith that once the right knee is repaired and Acher is recovered that he will be able to return to his life as a performance dog. He has been enjoying his retirement, but you can definitely tell he misses having a job. I have been able to keep him active in nosework and barn hunt, which he loves and it makes him feel like he's keeping busy. Of course I don't push him on his bad days.
His first postop recheck is
Wednesday where they will do an Xray to check hardware placement and remove his staples. Will keep you guys posted on how he does. He will have another recheck at 4 weeks post op and one final evaluation at 8 weeks. If he passes his 8 week exam, the Vet will okay him to proceed with surgery on his right knee.
I have included information on the TTA procedure if any of you are interested in knowing more about it. It is a fairly new surgery and imho is a better procedure for young or active dogs
TTA Surgery
Pictures of Archer
At the Specialty clinic waiting to see the Neurologist for surgery clearance
"Touching" the door in the exam room as we wait to be seen. "Touch it" is one of his favorite ways to communicate. It's often a command I use to keep his mind busy during long wait times. He was excited to see the vet and he knows he comes in through this door
Just had his presurgery bath, ear cleaning and dremel. All snuggled up to go to sleep
Hit poor naked leg
Bruising from the surgery
A little edema at his ankle
His poor Frankenstein leg
An Xray of a TTA postop. This is not Archer's film, but gives you an idea of what is going on inside
Being iced post therapy. His favorite vet tech put the bandana on him at discharge. They all adore him
He always sleeps through his ice therapy
Until I read that you said it was bruising! Sheesh. That's awful. Ugh, such major surgery. I hate that our babies go through so much to help them! My heart breaks for him but I know it's all for the good and soon enough he'll be pestering you for a run! God bless him! Get well quick, Archer!
