Background of Injury

In August 2009 Molly and Chelsea were running the backyard. They were circling the deck and all of the sudden Molly sat down and would not bare weight on her right leg. She let me touch it but would not put weight on it.

I called the vet and Molly was seen that afternoon. They thought she may have subluxed her patella tendon. Xrays were not taken at that time. Molly was put on anti-inflammatory and some pain medication. If she did not respond they would then recommend xrays.

Well Molly did respond well and in 2 days was not limping at all and was back to running around, so we did not think anything else of it.

Then in March 2010 we all came home and I went to let the "girls" out of their kennels. I noticed that Molly was favoring her left leg. She was not putting any weight on it as she went down the stairs. Again she let me touch it but just really seemed to favor it. Of course it didn't stop her from wanting to play Frisbee.

So off to the vet again. This time they recommended xrays and sedation to check out her ligaments. Dr Gallagher, our vet, explained about torn cruciate ligaments and that during the sedation they will check for the "drawer" sign which is an indication of a partial or completely torn cruciate ligament. It was explained that if the ligament is torn ( and all partials tears will lead to complete) that sometimes it will happen in both legs. As the dog favors one leg and increases the pressure on the other leg it can lead to a cruciate ligament tear in that leg as well. Dr Gallagher also explained briefly the options if it is the cruciate ligament....for the most part surgery. Now I am a nurse and take care of many orthopedic adult patients so I understand medically about this.

I my head I am thinking well Molly should only have one torn ligament if that is what it is because we brought her in immediately when we noticed her limb. And if it in in fact torn then we can get the surgery quick so she doesn't tear the other.

Molly is dropped off at the vet in the morning...and when I go that afternoon to pick her up Dr Gallagher gives me the news that both her hind legs had positive drawer signs. Oh my goodness...both knees. So I think back that she may have torn her first ligament back in August 2009. But Molly never showed us any other signs.

Not only am I concerned about my dog and I want her to be okay and get back to running and jumping and catching a frisbee and she is not even 18 months old yet...and also to be honest the dollar signs are rolling in my head as well.

What to do...