We had a wonderful update email from Jean Freeman about the progress of Blush, her Border Collie. This beautiful dog just had surgery in May, and we’ve been working with her twice a week.
Let me give you a little background. Jean has been coming to us for years with all of her BCs. Currently she has five! Blush is a lovely 10-year-old Border Collie originally from Janice DeMello of Hob Nob Border Collies. Janice, a good friend of Jean’s, is the breeder of three of Jean’s Border Collies.
Blush is a very fast performance dog who gives her all in everything she does. She’s earned her Obedience Utility title UD which is a top level. She is also performing in the Excellent Level Agility classes where she is so fast that Jean says it is getting hard to keep up with her! So a friend often handles her for Jean. Blush earned her Excellent Level Herding titles in AKC and is now herding in the North East Border Collie Association trials. Jean told us before we met Blush what a sweetheart this little Border Collie is, and we certainly agree!
In May, Blush went out early one Sunday morning before a herding seminar and came in walking on three legs. Jean was shocked and very worried and crate-rested her for a week. When this did not help, and Blush had not improved, Jean knew it was more serious. She brought her to us at Wizard of Paws, and I suggested she take her to an Orthopedic specialist to have the knee checked out. Jean took Blush to two specialists and sadly, she had torn her cruciate. On May 16th, she had a TTA surgery, which stands for Tibial Tuberosity Advancement. One of the most common knee injuries in dogs, it involves the rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL), also frequently referred to as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
After the surgery, we started Blush’s therapy a week later. Twice a week she receives laser treatments, uses the underwater treadmill, and does ball work.
Jean kindly sent us this update in an email, this week:
Blush and I had an appointment with Dr Berzoin this week (her surgeon) for X-rays and a 6 week recheck. She was a hit with everyone from the receptionist to the techs to Dr Berzoin. She loved everyone and was very cooperative; they all raved about her! She was first a little concerned with Dr Berzoin, but he was calm and she warmed up.
The X-rays were good and he walked outside with us to see her walk. He was very pleased. He also examined the knee, and said he wants to see us in 6 weeks for another x-ray and then that will be it.
He recommended her walks can increase to 30 minutes then 45 which will make it more fun for me. I can walk into different neighborhoods.
He did say, “We have another BC coming in today for surgery. But I shouldn’t tell you this. It had surgery on one knee and good recovery but 4 weeks later he tore the second knee.” Ugh. He was preparing me for the strong possibility that Blush will eventually need both knees done.
I am so lucky to have Debbie Saunders and her two great therapists to work with Blush twice a week. They are great. They also are able to answer most of my concerns as they come up. Blush loves Debbie and her therapists. They all give her a lot of love and attention as well as her therapy.
I rely on Debbie a great deal. She understands my love and concern for my dogs and offers us a great deal of valuable support. Debbie also communicates with Blush’s surgeon which means a great deal to me.
We also have Coby who does her chiropractor work on her and Sheryl with her Reiki. We are very, very fortunate but it seems like I am constantly in the van. J
I can’t thank you all enough for all the support you give my wonderful Blush and her worrisome mother.
Jean Freeman
Thanks again for writing, Jean, and we’ll see you and Blush soon!
MORE INFO ON TTA
Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA SURGERY)
Possibly the BEST Surgery for your dog’s Knee
The most common knee injury in the dog is rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL), also frequently referred to as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). This injury can occur at any age and in any breed, but most frequently occurs in middle aged, overweight, medium to large breed dogs. This ligament frequently can suffer a partial tear, leading to slight instability of the knee. If this damage goes untreated, it most commonly leads to complete rupture and possibly damage to the medial meniscus of the knee. The meniscus acts as a cushion in the knee. Complete rupture results in front-to-back instability, commonly called Tibial Thrust, and internal rotation of the lower leg, commonly called Pivot Shift. Untreated legs usually become very arthritic and painful from the instability.
An injured Cruciate Ligament can only be corrected by surgery. There are numerous surgical corrections currently being performed. The most common are 1) External Capsular Repair, 2) TightRope Procedure (a variation of the External Capsular Repair), 3) Tibial Plateau Leveling Operation (TPLO), and 4) Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA).
READ MORE: http://ttasurgery.com/
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which for her is a huge Q!!! (Thanks Lara for the focus work lessons)”
