Things were going great! 4 weeks and my tripawd had returned to his Bud-ness! Then my monkey butt dog brushed passed him. He shifted his wieght and fell down hard. I knew he was hurt and in pain. It was fri night so I gave him leftover previcox. I could not tell where he was hurt but I knew he had injured his remaining rear right leg. The next day, he could get up and stand but his leg would buckle underneath him after a few hops.

We went to the Dr today as soon as they were open. I was so afraid Bud had a ACL tear! After the initial exam the vet thought so too. There was swelling in the knee. He explained that if that was indeed the problem surgery was not an option for Bud. He did not want to introduce hardware and bacteria into Bud. He was fearful that a floating MRSA cell would attatch itself . Bud would have to live in a knee brace all of the time and on pain meds.

Quality of life…. I knew that I could not allow Bud to live his remaining days in constant pain. Bud went in for X rays and I waited while tears fell. I could be leaving the office today without my family's dear companion.

So, the vet came in and said GOOD NEWS!!! What??? The knee had stretched but was still attached! The injury had aggravated the arthritis in his hip. So Bud is on rest, pain and anti inflammatory meds. He recommended that as a prevenative measure we still get the leg brace.

The brace is called an A-Trac Dynamic Brace from woundwear.com. Do any fellow tripawds have and experience with knee braces? They are customed ordered so he asked that we wait while Bud is slimming down but order it in time for camping and boating season. I think we will probably try it out.

aw thanks Shari! We were keeping them seperate but he was doing so good and enjoyed the company so we let them be together while we were right there with them….obviously it didnt work out so well! Honestly, I think we were being to eager with Bud's recovery and we need to take it much easier and at a slower pace!!!! Thanks…hope all is well w Dakota!!!!

I'm sorry for your pup's injury but so happy it's NOT an ACL!!!!  I've heard and looked at that brace back when Maggie was first MISdiagnosed for an ACL tear.  My sister, a Vet Tech, has a bit of experience with them at her office.  I would consider one if Maggie got issues with her remaining rear leg.

It's so tough…you want to protect them but yet want to them to lead a somewhat normal life.  It's a balancing act!  In my experience with my rear leg amputee, it has taken a long time to build her up.  She actually did an hour walk yesterday..her LONGEST yet – and she was amputated in Oct 2009.  But she's a tad tired and needs a rest before she tries walking that far again!  But truth be known, she did run off 100 mph after some sort of wild animal scent!  So, she's partly to blame for being tired ;-)

How long has your dog been amputated?  I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately on the forums, so have missed your story on your pup.

Tracy, Maggie's Mom

Thanks… the green beans are a hit!

And Ginger……you are such a pretty girl …..that silly doctor! Monkey no way!

So sorry to hear Bud got hurt but like everyone else I am glad it isn't a ACL tear.  It is hard to know what to do about if it is better to keep the dogs separate or let them be together.  Emily and her lab brother, Bentley, were only six months apart in age so they were extremely close.  Emily seemed very lonely without Bentley so we did not separate them and being a lab, Bentley was very careful and protective of Emily.  Our other dog, a min pin Marley, was still a puppy so we kept him away from Emily when we were not there to monitor the little guys every step!

Good luck with the knee brace.  I hope all goes well.  Bud is so darn cute!

sorry for Bud, hope he takes it easy and gets his strength back.

You definately answered my question about allowing Gunner to have any time with the other dogs, NOT! We're not taking any chances. Its not worth it. I was feeling bad for all the time passed without interaction and wondering how long to keep them separated. Just today our baby gal shepherd (Anja) was crying and whining to play with Gunner. He's been with her since she was eight weeks old but now she is a 9 month old jumpy monkey dog. Full of energy and baby antics. Reading your post convinces me it would not be a good idea!! They are meeting at the fence and baby gates for a while, maybe a long while. They always played nice together before but also rough at times, its not worth the potential problems right now. Gunner will be four weeks post amp Friday.

Thanks for the insight and sure hope Bud gets to feeling better!