Hey! TJ here from the Gibbons House. It's great to have you here.
Now, those of you who have been here before know that I have a rescue dog, Anayah. She's a German Shepherd cross Siberian Husky and I have had her for almost 3 years now. (If you didn't know, now you do!)
Last November (2023), Anayah tore her left CCL. In April 2024 she tore her right CCL. Since November, our lives have been a string of vet appointments, surgeries, crate rest and recovery. My days have been filled with anxiety, stress and emotions.
Finally, after what has been one of the worse years, we seem to be crawling out of the tunnel and into the light again and being able to slowly return to life as normal.
Having a dog go through something like this is awful and heartbreaking. It's stressful, scary and outright crap.
I wish I had someone who had been through it tell me what to expect. Sure, everyone's experiences are different, and Anayah was one of the unfortunate ones where she had almost every complication possible! So I wanted to share our journey, what we went through and how we got through it for those of you who may be currently going through it, or about to.
This isn't going to be an in-detailed explanation of the science behind the surgeries or anything, just a personal insight.
What is the ACL?
To put it simply, the ACL or CCL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament or Cranial Crucial Ligament) is a ligament in the knees of a dog (back legs!). Us humans have them, too. This ligament stablises the knee joint and allows it to function properly. It stops the Tibia (shin bone) from sliding too far from the Femur (thigh bone) when your knee bends and is made of connective tissue.
ACL injuries in dogs
Just like humans, injuries happen. A Torn ACL in dogs is quite common. Some breeds are more prone to having CCL injuries, as are older dogs and dogs that are super athletic and 'bouncy'. Overweight dogs are also at a higher risk.
Dogs can partially tear their CCL or fully, and recovery could be rest, pain management, physiotherapy or surgery or a combination.
Symptoms and diagnosis
I can't remember exactly what Anayah was doing when she injured her left leg, but it happened over a few days. Slowly, she began to limp, was reluctant to go on walks, and just didn’t seem like herself. Eventually, she stopped putting weight on the leg entirely. At first, I thought she had just sprained her foot or ankle since that’s quite common for her—she's so bouncy! Being a rescue dog, I also knew that her diet before coming to me wasn’t great, so her body wasn’t at 100% in terms of nutrient levels, though we were working closely with the vets on that.
When she didn’t improve after a few days of limited exercise, I booked an appointment at the local vet.
But, being me, I researched all the possible issues to prepare myself for what the vet might say. One term that kept cropping up was a CCL injury.
The symptoms matched, as did the circumstances: swelling in the area, limping or lameness, and a change in behavior. Dogs that are super active and bouncy are most at risk, so it just made sense.
I went into the vet appointment knowing very well that they might say Anayah had torn her CCL, and that’s exactly what the vet confirmed. He scheduled her for X-rays within the week to confirm the diagnosis before we discussed treatment options. These X-rays had to be done under anesthetic, and he also explained that they would check her hips while she was under to look for any signs of hip dysplasia or other possible issues. At this point I was told to give Anayah pain meds twice a day. Unfortunatly Anayah is allergic to Metacam, so we were told to use Paracetamol (Please confide with your vet regarding the use of Paracetamol with your dog and their allowed dosage, this is not a free pass to give them it without a vets approval!).
The day of the X-ray appointment rolled around so slowly. Anayah was on house rest, and I had to carry her up and down the stairs to the bedroom and in and out of the van. She was only allowed to go out for bathroom breaks, and that was it. Trying to contain a very excitable, energetic dog is not easy, and little did I know this was only the beginning.
I was so anxious about dropping her off for the X-rays. The thought that kept running through my head was, "She might not make it off the table," since the risks of anesthesia are well known. I kept reminding myself that she was a super healthy, happy dog with so many reasons to live. If any dog could get through this, it would be her.
I was in tears driving to work without her in the van (she usually tags along with me), and all day I couldn’t focus on anything else.
I got the phone call around 3 PM that she was all good and I could pick her up at 5 PM to discuss the results with the vet.
When I collected her, the vet took me into one of the back rooms and showed me an X-ray of what a "normal" dog leg should look like. Then he showed me Anayah's. Her entire knee was white with inflammation, and no bones were out of place. The vet was now 99% sure it was her CCL. He asked me what I wanted to do regarding recovery.
My options were surgery or conservative recovery (at home without surgery).
I had no doubt that surgery was the way to go for Anayah, given how active she is and how much she loves running and exploring. Thank goodness I had her insured!
Surgery vs Conservative recovery options
I can't provide much insight into the conservative option since we didn't choose it and I didn't delve into it deeply. However, I can understand its potential benefits for older dogs or those at higher risk of complications from surgeries and anesthesia. It might also be a good fit for pet owners without insurance or with lower claim limits. This approach focuses on pain management and rest to help the CCL heal naturally. It's a topic that sparks a lot of debate, and if you start researching, you'll find many opinions—everyone seems to believe they have the right answer!
My best advice is to rely on trustworthy sources for medical information, like veterinarians or other canine professionals, and gather insights from multiple perspectives before making a decision.
When it comes to surgical options for CCL injuries in dogs, there are two main procedures: TPLO and TTA. While I'm not an expert on the science behind them or their full names, I can share that both surgeries aim to adjust the angle of the bones so the CCL isn't needed for knee stabilization.
Both surgeries come with their own risks, and I’ll explain them as my vet did. The TPLO tends to be pricier since it's performed by specialized veterinarians. It does carry more risks, and if complications arise, they can be quite serious. I know three people whose dogs underwent TPLO surgery, and unfortunately, two of them experienced significant complications, including one case where the dog's leg needed an external metal brace due to a fracture during the procedure. My vet expressed confusion about why this surgery is still performed, given its complexity.
On the brighter side, the TTA surgery is considered less traumatic if complications occur. Even in the event of a bone fracture, the bone is already secured and pinned in place with wires so recovery time is only extended slightly. It is also cheaper and is more widely practiced.
Both surgeries require a minimum of eight weeks of crate rest for the dog afterward, along with a combination of pain medication and antibiotics. This crate rest is to allow the bone to heal and to minimize any complications.
Only go to a vet you trust. If a vet you visit isn't filling you with confidence or gives you 'off' vibes, find another vet. This is your dogs life your putting in their hands, not to mention your own regarding your time and commitment if complications do happen.
Some vets don't offer TPLO at all, and others don't suggest TTA. Again, it's best to do your research and chat to the vet you trust about the options.
My vet only offered TTA, which was great because that's the one I had decided on, anyway. They ran through the whole process with me and explained it in detail so I knew what to expect.
TTA surgery and our experience
Within two weeks of our initial appointment, Anayah was ready for her first surgery. Some vets prefer to keep dogs overnight after such procedures, but mine doesn’t, which worked out perfectly for me. I can’t imagine how anxious I would have felt with her not at home, even though I was already nervous!
To keep myself occupied during the day, I prepared a cozy pen for her at home and even dragged my mattress downstairs so I could sleep beside her that first night. I already had a crate set up in the living room, so I borrowed a pet pen from a neighbor whose dog had gone through a similar experience. This way, I created a safe space around her crate, allowing her to move around and stretch out on the floor while ensuring she wouldn’t hurt herself. Prior to the surgery day, I ordered an inflatable cone and a onsie because I just knew that the plastic cone would make her depressed (and it did!)
The surgery went smoothly, and Anayah was home by 6 PM that same day. I expected her not to put any weight on her leg, and she was a bit out of it due to the medications.
I won’t sugarcoat it— that night was quite challenging! Anayah was understandably unsettled. I managed to take her out for a bathroom break around 8 PM, just as her meds were wearing off. My plan was to give her some pain relief when we came back inside. I guided her to the grass, and to my delight, she used her leg cautiously, which is a positive sign since many dogs don’t use their leg for up to a week post-surgery. Once we returned to her pen, I attempted to give her the meds.
She was quite stubborn about taking them and refused to lie down, likely because the pain was becoming more noticeable. I stayed right by her side as she swayed from exhaustion, trying everything I could think of. After an hour-long struggle, she finally accepted the painkillers and settled down. From that point on, I kept a close eye on her, waiting for her cues to go out, as I was anxious about any setbacks!
In total, I think I managed to get about an hour of sleep, broken into small chunks.
Fortunately, I was able to take a week off work to stay home with Anayah, and I’m so glad I did, it was exhausting having to provide extra care!
After that first sleepless night, I decided to set up a second pen in my room so we could both be in our usual sleeping space and maintain some routine. This meant I had to carry her up and down the stairs each day, but it was a small price to pay for both of us to feel more settled. This pen was at the base of my bed, so I could still hear her if she needed me, yet she was unable to jump onto the bed or walk around.
Keeping Anayah entertained at first was relatively easy since she was quite drowsy from the pain medications. I had some concerns about needing to ask for sedatives, but thankfully, we didn’t end up needing them. When I was able to give her my full attention, she enjoyed short little adventures around the house. This not only kept her spirits up but also allowed for healthy blood circulation and kept her joints and muscles engaged, all while ensuring she was safe and not at risk of further injury.
The swelling and bruising at the surgery site were quite noticeable, and I made it a point to check the area daily for any changes.
Three days after the surgery, we returned for the first post-op check. The vet was pleased with her progress and impressed by Anayah’s resilience, especially since she was now consistently using her leg.
We then scheduled an appointment for 10 days later to have the stitches removed.
After the first week, Anayah became a bit more restless and harder to settle—she was getting bored! Thankfully, I was back at work by then, and she was able to come with me in the van. Although she remained crated and only came out for bathroom breaks, the variety of smells, sounds, and people at the farm provided her with valuable mental stimulation. This made a significant difference in her recovery, and I truly believe that without this change of scenery, the process would have been much more challenging for both of us.
As she became more stable on her leg, we did gentle stimulation games like 'hide and seek' with treats and some stationary trick training (speak, whisper etc,). I regularly groomed her and lifted her onto the sofa for cuddles when she (or I!) was feeling down.
Both of us found it hard, and my emotions were all over the place. I often ended up crying because I felt so guilty for what she was going through, I felt so sorry for her that it had happened and I felt sorry for myself because I couldn't get out and walk her. It had put such a limit on my life as well as hers. We knew that her tearing the second CCL was a high possibility, but I was hoping with all my might that she wouldn't be within the 50% that tear both.
Complication #1
Not long after the vet removed her stitches, I noticed that instead of continuing to improve, her limp began to worsen, and the swelling around the site returned.
I quickly took her back to the vet, who informed us that her body was rejecting the metalwork holding her leg together.
As soon as she hit the six-week mark and her bone had fully healed, they went in and removed the metalwork to prevent any further damage. That meant another surgery, another two weeks in a onesie, another set of antibiotics, and another round of anesthesia. However, once the metalwork was removed, Anayah began to improve quickly. We started with five-minute walks three times a day, which increased to ten minutes the following week, and then fifteen minutes the week after that.
We gradually got back into a normal(ish) rhythm, and both of our moods drastically improved. I hadn't realized just how much not being able to walk her first thing in the morning had affected me. Anayah started seeing other dogs on our walks and was able to gently socialize again (though most of the time, I had to stop contact before it happened, as she would get overexcited!). I had taken down the pen, and she was able to have free run of the house (though she was always supervised when going up and down the stairs).
On one of our morning walks, Anayah was stepping up a curb when her right leg gave way with a click. She yelped, collapsed, and stayed down.
My heart broke for her—and for me—because I knew instantly that we were about to face it all again.
2nd CCL tear
After pulling myself together (several swear words were uttered and many tears were shed) and carrying a 20kg dog home from our walk, I called the vet and told them I thought her right CCL had now gone.
They saw her the same day, and surgery for the second leg was booked for the following week.
Having been through this before, I was more prepared and less anxious, though I knew it meant another two months of carrying her and limiting her to her crate.
I was physically and emotionally exhausted, and I think that was probably the lowest I had ever been regarding my mental health.
I ordered another onesie, as the first one had stretched from the numerous wears and washes, and I prepared the crate and set up the pens again.
This time, I didn’t bother moving my mattress, and we both slept much better that first night she was home. I learned my lesson from the first time, too. I gave Anayah her pain meds before taking her out for the toilet, and by the time we got back inside, they had kicked in, allowing her to lie down comfortably.
The second time around seemed to go smoother, and I was prepared for the possibility that she might need another surgery to remove the metalwork again, though that didn’t happen initially. The stitches came out, the eight-week mark came and went, and everything seemed to be going well. We began to take small walks again, and I felt like we were out of the woods, hopeful that she would be fully recovered by mid to late summer.
That, however, was not the case. Unfortunately, Anayah fell into the minority where another complication occurred.
Complication #2
Anayah began to walk oddly again at around the four-month mark, and a sore had appeared at the surgery site, which raised my concerns. She wouldn’t let me touch her leg at all.
So, once again, we went back to the vet. They examined her and explained that the wire had become loose and was "swinging" around inside her leg every time she moved.
In most cases, apparently, this doesn’t cause any issues, but it certainly did for Anayah. They went in for a fourth time and removed all the metalwork.
It was much harder to keep her steady and calm this time round, the boredom and annoyance were heightened and she became a nightmare at home. Her behvaiour became less constant and she was so hyper that stopping the zoomies took so much effort! She would crawl onto the back of the sofa, chew me constantly and the lick mats, training, stimulation toys and enrichment toys were not enough.
Now, almost 12 months after the initial diagnosis, we are finally over the worst! There is literally nothing else that could go wrong with either of her knees, other than arthritis, which is a very common side effect of the surgeries.
Anayah can now walk for up to 45 minutes at a time, though that’s her max for the moment. I haven’t had the courage to let her off the lead yet, but she is getting some time to run a little while on the long training lead. After almost a year, we are coming to the end of a very stressful chapter.
Long term affects
Alongside all the trauma and stress that the four surgeries have put both of us—and anyone who knew me and was close to me—through, there have been some long-term effects that I’ve noticed not many people mention.
The first is my anxiety as a dog owner. I’m now so scared that something else will happen if I let her run. What if she re-injures a knee? What if she damages a front leg or her hip? What if it’s too soon?
Every time she limps slightly or walks differently, I panic about what it could be and whether it’s related to her knees or if arthritis has already set in.
I know she will never be able to run as fast as she used to, and I know she will never be as fit as she was prior to the surgeries. That was a hard pill to swallow: knowing that her life has changed forever, as has mine.
The second issue I’ve faced is socialization. Because Anayah is a rescue dog, she came with a few behavioral issues, one of which was a lack of socialization with humans and other dogs.
We have had almost 12 months without exposing her to new situations, meeting new people, or playing with other dogs, and now we are back at square one with her training. She is almost as reactive and overexcited as when I first rescued her. Now, I have to retrain and re-socialize her. I don’t mind doing it again, but it feels as though all the effort I put into training the first time was undone by her injury. I feel a little deflated by it, though I am working hard with Anayah to help her get used to people, dogs, and new situations again. She seems to be bouncing back quickly this time, which is a relief!
If you are facing, or about to face, a similar struggle, please remember that there is an end to the hardship, no matter how distant it may seem.
Anayah's journey was filled with complications, but most dogs do not encounter such challenges. Consider this a worst-case scenario, and if we could navigate it, so can you.
You are not alone in this. Lean on your support system—ask for help and emotional support. Connect with others who have experienced similar situations; there are wonderful groups on Facebook where people share their stories and coping strategies.
This post is not meant to instill fear or anxiety; rather, it is a way to share our experience in hopes that it may ease your own journey. You are not alone.
If you need help—of any kind—please reach out to those around you. Many charities also offer support for mental health struggles. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength.
I am here for you as well. Feel free to ask questions or share your story in the comments or on social media.
Good luck, and remember, you’ve got this!
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