Torn CCL? What to do
On the previous Wednesday, as I was ascending the stairs, I suddenly noticed Aston turning towards me and emitting painful yelps. Concerned, I started examining her and concluded that it was her knee causing the discomfort. Aston is not one to show pain easily, so I took her distress seriously. Without delay, we began administering Gabapentin and Carprofen, similar to doggy Tylenol, and I treated her with a soothing heat soak using a menthol-based shampoo called SudsEase, which happens to be my favorite. To provide her with additional comfort, I had her snuggle into my bed with a heating pad.
The following morning, I promptly contacted her veterinarian to schedule an appointment. Unfortunately, the earliest available slot was on Monday. In the meantime, we continued with the treatment plan, ensuring we received approval from the vet over the phone. Over the weekend, Aston gradually started putting more weight on her affected leg, which was a positive sign.
When we finally arrived at the vet's office, we were ushered into an examination room. Shortly after, the doctor joined us and conducted a thorough examination. The conclusion was a partial tear in the CCL, possibly accompanied by some secondary ligament tears. Despite the situation, this was considered the best-case scenario for us. Aston's previous experience with anesthesia had resulted in elevated liver levels and lesions all over her body, making her a poor candidate for surgery.
For the next six weeks, our treatment plan involves continuing with Gabapentin and Carprofen, and adding trazodone as needed to keep Aston calm. We have also ordered a Posh Brace for her, and she will receive nightly heat pad sessions, as well as Acuscope and Myopulse treatments from our skilled bodywork specialist. Additionally, Cold Laser Therapy will be incorporated into her routine. Alongside these measures, we will continue giving her supplements such as Green Lipped Mussels, MSM, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Hemp Seed, Sardine/Anchovy Oil, and Marine-sourced Collagen. To assist you in making an informed decision about the treatment plan, I have provided links to studies from the National Library of Medicine that highlight the benefits of each item.
It is important to note that none of these interventions alone can fully resolve the issue like surgery would. However, our goal is to encourage Aston's body to self-repair as much as possible, as surgery is not a viable option for her.
