This is a diary about Alfie's recovery from Extra-capsular cruciate repair.
He originally damaged his cruciate in September 2008. It was only a minor injury, so we decided to go for conservative management.
This entailed rest for 8 weeks and then a very gradual increase in exercise. After the first 8 weeks he had two visits a week for hydrotherapy.
His recovery was amazing, after 6 months we could walk our normal length walks approx 6 miles. I had been warned by my vet that there would always be a weakness there, and unfortunately with the snow in January 2010 his leg went again.
We have tried conservative management again, but unfortunately it hasn't worked, and today 26th March 2010 he has gone in for his operation.
Deciding on this operation instead of TPLO has been a difficult decision which I have agonized over for several days.

I have added two links to other threads that I have started on this subject, and hope that this and they will help anyone facing this decision for their dog

I need to know outcomes

Alfie update

Day one

He came home at 5pm yesterday evening, not being able to weight bare on the bad leg at all.
We had to lift him into and out of the car and place him on his bed.
I gave him a very small meal approximatively 1 hour after arriving home, then another 2 hours later when it was obvious that he had managed to hold the first meal down. He was fed in situ on his bed.
We did try to carry him into the garden to urinate but without success.
He has had two aborted attempts at moving during the night, both ending up with him falling backward onto his haunches.
At 5 am he has had a successful attempt at standing and done a few paces across the floor, still without using his bad leg.

1.15pm
Have had to take Alfie back to the vet because he refuses to stand long enough to urinate .She's not worried about him not weeing too much even though it is nearly 36 hours and his bladder is full, but has given him a painkilling injection and more pain meds in the hope that he will go on his own.
She was pleasantly surprised that he is already "touching" his toe to the ground.
He's bright as a button and absolutely loved his trip to the vet. even wagged his tail
It's only the pain getting him down.

7.15pm
Carried him into the garden at 5pm, he kept trying to get back inside, but I made him take a little walk around the garden, still no wee!!!!
Once inside he began a soft whining,which was obviously to do with pain from his leg. Gave him Tramadol tablets and this has seemed to ease the pain.
He is showing signs of starting to stiffen up, due to laying on one side all the time.
Eating and drinking has been normal today
It's been a very hard day.

Day 2

I was wrong about the whimpering, it had been due to his need to urinate.
At 11pm last night he at last managed to go. The whimpering ceased but started again at 2am, out in the garden at dead of night, but he managed another wee.
He has slept for a good part of the night on his bad leg side and his leg seems a little sore this morning

It's now nearly 9.30pm. Alfie has had rather smelly wind all day, but has not been toilet at all today. He has just about managed to walk to the garden, but once there has turned straight round and returned indoors. His leg does not seem to have touched the floor at any point today and he seems in considerable pain.
He has managed to sleep on both sides today, I do wonder if that is causing his bad leg to hurt more.
It's been quite a peaceful day today, purely because he seems too frightened to walk.
He is on the strongest dose of Tramadol that the vet suggested along with Metacam and it still does nothing to help.

Day 3

He wanted to go into the garden at 1.30am, we went round and round the garden at quite a fast pace with him using his leg far too much I think!!!! He still didn't manage to toilet though.
We had a peaceful night after this.
He is still on the highest dose Tramadol but it doesn't seem to be touching the pain. Apart from turning over, he hasn't moved today so far.
I have taken the buster collar off in the hope that he can lick and help stimulate toileting. After a very short lick of the wound, he has left it alone

1pm
I have been in a little panic this morning and phoned the vet for advice.
Alfie hadn't moved at all, and I was concerned that he hadn't had a poo, my vet is not worried about that and is pleased that he isn't weight baring yet. Have been told to give him a little oil to help when he does decide to go.
The other concern, was the fact that my garden is quite small, and he has to go in circles before he settles to defecate.
I have been given the ok to take him outside (making sure the cats are cleared first) so that he can go in a straight line.
I will need help to do this in case he needs carrying back.
At 12.45 he went into the garden and had another wee.
Every time he walks, it upsets him because his leg hurts afterward.
One thing I haven't mentioned before, is that I have a ramp by the back door

Another wee at 6.45pm but still no poo. His leg is slightly swollen, but it seems to be fluid rather than infection, apparently from what I have read, this is normal. The bruising seems to be coming out on the inside of the leg.
His eyes are no longer showing pain all the time and he has slept more comfortably today.
The leg is still being held up most of the time he is up, but he moves it reasonably happily when laying down

Day 4

He managed a small poo this morning.
I'm a little concerned about the swelling in his leg, the hock seems quite badly swollen, but it does seem like fluid and there is no heat in the joint.
Still not putting foot to ground unless absolutely necessary

Went to the vet about the swelling, as I thought it was only fluid and he has been given an injection which will hopefully relieve this. We also picked up some more Tamadol because the swelling is making him quite uncomfortable.
He is still very rarely using his leg but has managed two wees so far today.
He also showed signs of wanting to play when we got back from the vets.

Day 5

A very peaceful night other than a wee trip to the garden at 4am. Went straight to the garden this morning for a poo.
Leg is still swollen but not quite as bad as yesterday, I have massaged the hock area a little in the hope that this will help.
Still not weight baring unless absolutely necessary.
Wound sight seems perfect

10.30pm
Leg is still swollen and he is still not putting weight on it unless he has to, but apart from that things have been easy today

Day 6

Alfie behaved a little manic this morning, just too worrying for words.
He will have to be on a strict short lead when he goes into the garden from now on.
His leg swelling is starting to go down and bowel movements are back to normal.
We have had toe touching to the ground, so hopefully he will be on four feet soon
The stitches seem to be bothering him a little now

9pm
Leg still a little swollen but he has used it a little today for short periods.
Also reacted when he saw cats going past the window. Will have to be extra careful from now on
Have cut down slightly on the Tramadol

Day 7

The swelling has all but gone and we had a very peaceful night apart from one trip to the garden.
I am letting Alfie choose when he needs to go toilet rather than do extra wasted trips out, as this cuts down the time that he is on his leg.
The foot was used all the time this morning very tentatively

10pm
Everything fine today. Leg sometimes up and sometimes touching the ground. I think it depends on the way he has been laying just before he walks.
No Tramadol tonight

Day 8

Nothing of note today, he is now off the Tramadol, but still getting more lively.
His leg does seem to go through fazes, sometimes on the floor other times held right up.
I have taken the ramp away from the doorstep because he was trying to jump it instead of walking on it, I now assist him over the small step

Day 9

Started off the day with Alfie doing a little too much (moving too fast across the garden), he was on lead but it is difficult to know if him pulling on the lead would be worse than moving fast for a few paces. I will have to get a head collar
He has been unsettled today, I'm not sure if that is because he feels better or if he is in more pain because of coming off the Tramadol.
The swelling on his knee has gone down over the course of today and worryingly, the joint seems quite unstable. I don't know if this is normal or something to worry about.
I can't get hold of my vet for two days because it is Easter.