Knee issue with dog

[caprinegal]

Our dog jumped out of the back seat of our car and landed on her leg wrong. She began limping. Her knee makes a popping sound when she walks – it also looks like it is popping out of place with each step. Took her to the vet who put her on an inflammatory (Tramadol) and said that the ligament that secures the knee cap is stressed and that’s why we hear the popping sound. She just wanted to keep her on the inflammatory for several weeks to see if that helps.

It’s been about 10 days and the issue remains. Our dog is taking the Joint Supplement that I purchased from Silver Lining Herbs as well as the Tramadol. We do not want to do surgery on her due to her age. Is there another option that we could pursue.

Thank you.

[Michelle KochStudent]

If you are near a place your dog can swim, and if your vet approves, you could try hydrotherapy to make the joints stronger without weight bearing stress.

[IdahoHerbalist]

You might try our formula.

We also have a

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Couple of things…

First of all, Tramadol has no anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a narcotic that makes your brain think you don’t hurt. So it’s doing the dog no good as far as decreasing inflammation and helping the healing.

Next, if it’s a cruciate ligament and it’s torn, surgery is the only solution. No herb, hydro-therapby, physical therapy or anything else will fix it. The only solution is surgery. I’m as fringey an herb nut as anyone, but sometimes ya gotta use the knife. Those cruciate ligaments are only about a centimeter long so when they tear, the ends are really far apart. It’s physically impossible for it to heal on its own. Even the surgical interventions used for those cases don’t try to repair the ligament. They just make a new one (usually from monofilament nylon) or rearrange the knee architecture so the dog doesn’t need the ligament.

If it’s popping, chances are it’s torn. I’d recommend getting a second opinion.

Doc Jones, DVM

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

IdahoHerbalist wrote: You might try our https://homegrownherbalist.net/products/btc formula.

We also have a https://homegrownherbalist.net/products/joint-formula

The Joint formula Steven mentioned is good for inflammation and pain. But it won’t heal the ligament if it’s actually torn.

The Bone, Tissue Cartilage may help it heal if it’s partially torn but won’t do anything if it’s completely torn.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[caprinegal]

Thank you for the information. I was wondering about the Tramadol…I thought it was a pain killer. Looks like I need to find another vet for another opinion. If it’s just torn, then the herbs will work. Otherwise, looks like surgery is the only option.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

caprinegal wrote: Thank you for the information. I was wondering about the Tramadol…I thought it was a pain killer. Looks like I need to find another vet for another opinion. If it’s just torn, then the herbs will work. Otherwise, looks like surgery is the only option.

Just to be clear, if it’s only partially torn the herbs may help. :0)

If you’re hearing “popping noises” of have any instability in the joint, it’s likely completely torn.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[caprinegal]

What herbs would you recommend? I’d like to try the herbs on her before we consider surgery.

[IdahoHerbalist]

See the above posts for our suggested formulas.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

caprinegal wrote: What herbs would you recommend? I’d like to try the herbs on her before we consider surgery.

https://homegrownherbalist.net/products/btc

https://homegrownherbalist.net/products/joint-formula

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[caprinegal]

Thanks. Just ordered the Bone, Tissue, Cartilage formula. I give her the Joint formula from Silver Lining herbs already.

[caprinegal]

As an update: I’ve been giving our dog the Bone, Tissue, Cartilage formula for a month now. Her knee seems to be healed but she is now having similar symptoms with her hip. I stopped the herbs for a few days to see if perhaps her body needed a break. Should I continue with the formula for her hip – She doesn’t exhibit pain – it just doesn’t look normal when she walks only. She can run with no issues.

[IdahoHerbalist]

I can think of a couple of things: the hip may be slightly damaged from compensating for the knee injury for so long. Now that the knee is functioning more correctly the hip is adjusting. I have had this happen to myself.

Also, sometime a short break from herbal treatments can “reset the clock.” Or, even a different herbal treatment may be called for.

One last thing is the hip could actually be a new condition.

[caprinegal]

I apologize for the delay in responding, but I appreciate your response. Her hip issue probably is for overcompensating for the knee or it may have been there all along. We just didn’t notice it due to the knee. I kept her off of the herbs for about a week but the hip issue worsened so I put her back on the Cartilage, Bone, Joint formula. She is doing better since I began the herbs again. I will just keep her on them until the issue resolves itself. Thank you again.

[caprinegal]

She may now need surgery. Going to a new vet Monday. If he does surgery, what can we give her to speed the recovery?

[caprinegal]

Just received a diagnosis today. She has luxating patella bilateral. Surgery is not recommended at this time. The vet didn’t seem to think that she was in any pain. He did recommend that she lose 2 pounds and take chondroitin daily. I’ve been giving her the Bone, Tissue, Cartilage formula since January 8 and the Joint formula for about 6 months. Should I continue with these herbs? What do you recommend if she needs an anti-inflammatory?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

caprinegal wrote: Just received a diagnosis today. She has luxating patella bilateral. Surgery is not recommended at this time. The vet didn’t seem to think that she was in any pain. He did recommend that she lose 2 pounds and take chondroitin daily. I’ve been giving her the Bone, Tissue, Cartilage formula since January 8 and the Joint formula for about 6 months. Should I continue with these herbs? What do you recommend if she needs an anti-inflammatory?

Surgery on luxating patellas is always a bad idea in my opinion. Use the Joint herbs from Silver Lining (or from us) https://homegrownherbalist.net/products/joint-formula. If that isn’t sufficient, add some pharmaceutical pain meds. THey’ll be ok with the herbs.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[caprinegal]

Thanks Doc. I appreciate the information.

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