After Peggy got home a little later that evening, and we took Dakota to the Emergency Pet clinic to see Dr Hanson. Our worst fears were confirmed.Dakota had torn his Right rear Cruciate Ligament and part of his Meniscus. He is only 8years old, and we could let him limp around for the rest of his life. We opted to have the steel plate inserted in his right leg. Dr Hanson said "it improves on the original design"
We picked up Dakota after a day and half and what a site he was. His hair was shaved at the right rear leg, and he had a big cone over his head, so he would not attempt to take his stitches out. We think he is a little of a Drama Queen, he acted like he was in pain and could barely walk. We half carried him to the Volvo and gently lifted him in. On the way home he would moan in pain. He has always been a "talkative" dog, but he really carried on with the moaning and woo wooing all the way home.
He seemed a bit bitter once he was back in the house. Neeko and Zoe (the other two Husky's) were glad to see him. First thing we did was remove the cone from over his head, and replaced it with the new and improved inner tube design. He liked that much better. We fed him a little and took him outside to get some fresh air. We had to keep him on the harness and leash, so he would not attempt to run. Dr Hanson said the first two weeks are critical. He will only do the surgery on that leg one time. If it is torn out before it heals, there is nothing he can do.
We made it through the first two week, keeping him full of the sedatives and anti-inflammatory pills. Thank goodness, he was not that active as normal. We took him back for his check up and he was healing fine. Dr Hanson removed the stitches and said Dakota did not have to wear the inner tube anymore. Just continue to take him on short 5 minutes walks for another month.
Dakota was progressing great, we took him in for his 2 month checkup for a set of X-rays to check on the steel plate. It was perfectly attached and healing normally. We gradually took him out for longer and longer walks, and he was pretty much back to normal until.........................
A week before Memorial day, Peggy had let the dogs out to run around in the yard. When they came back in a short while later, Dakota was limping. We initially thought he had damaged his right leg again, but we were surprised he was limping and holding up his left rear leg this time.
Again we took him to Dr Hanson and Dakota had torn his other Cruciate Ligament this time. Once again, we left him to have surgery and picked him up a day and a half later. This time, when we picked him up he was in much better spirits, (maybe different pain pills?). We followed the same plan as before, but this time, he just wants to go outside and run around. We really have to keep him contained, it has not even been two weeks since the surgery. We are glad he is feeling better, and appears to be healing fine.
Dr Hanson said that 50 % of the dogs that tear a Cruciate Ligament, generally tear the other one within a few months. The good news is Dakota only has two rear legs, after this is healed; he won't be able to tear another.
Husky's generally live an average of 15 years, and we wanted Dakota to enjoy the rest of his life doing what he loves to do; running and playing with the other two Husky's. Another month or so, and he will be back out in the yard chasing Rabbits and whatever else ventures into our yard.
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