Achilles' Tendon Injury. Needing Input

[chads7376]

Had a dog get her Achilles' tendon cut. It was was not completely severed but it was cut about half way through the tendon.

Any experience with this type of injury? What was the outcome?

Thanks in advance

[T-Bob Parker]

Oh man Chad, I'm sorry to hear that!! That's what just happened to Ratty but hers was all the way thru.
I've been reading and looking and ill be trying one of these on her

[Reuben]

Chad, I had a young dog that had his cut all the way through, he never was the same after that...he did not have control of that leg...

[MrsLouisianaHogDog]

If its not torn completely through, it can heal but the dog would need to be on cage rest. I had this happen to an 8 mth old Catahoula last year. I had to put him on cage rest, and I took him in three times a week for laser therapy.
He actually regained normal function in that leg, although my Dr did advise me that once it happens,  theres a risk that it will happen again in that same leg.

[justincorbell]

I had close to the same thing happen to my brindle dog early last year, a big boar hooked him and ran his tusk up against the achilles cutting it but not completely in half. I cleaned the hell out of it, stapled his skin back up and left him in a 5' lead on my porch for 3 weeks before putting him back on a chain, I got lucky and it healed up fine, he is rolling along like it never happened now but I agree with Mrs. Krystale in saying that hte dog needs restricted movement for a few weeks in order to prevent him from further injuring the tendon. Good luck with him.

Also, The contraption T-bob posted looks like it could absolutely help both with healing the tendon now and in the future if the dog has any lasting issues with his leg.

[KevinN]

I'll give you my experience...but not all cases are the same....so....don't get to disheartened.

My Bella gyp had hers severed...completely. One of my land owners is a retired veterinarian...so of course I consulted with him. Surgery...is of course an option...but from what he said, a working dog will never be 100% again...probably closer to 50-60%. I just didn't see the point so I retired her.

[KevinN]

T-Bob...info on that contraption? I would sure like to get Bella back in the woods...if it'd give her even 75-80% mobility.

[chads7376]

Thanks for the input guys. The one Terry posted is at orthovet.com and they are pretty proud of them especially a custom fit ($595.00). I found a lot cheaper one at medvet.com. I ordered one this evening for a splint to hopefully let it heal well.

[T-Bob Parker]

Thanks for the input guys. The one Terry posted is at orthovet.com and they are pretty proud of them especially a custom fit ($595.00). I found a lot cheaper one at medvet.com. I ordered one this evening for a splint to hopefully let it heal well.

C'mon Chad, You know good and well even at 600 bucks, them cowdogs of yours are worth every nickel! 

nah, I like the design on thatn but I ordered one of Ebay for closer to $100. We Will see how it goes.

[chads7376]

Thanks for the input guys. The one Terry posted is at orthovet.com and they are pretty proud of them especially a custom fit ($595.00). I found a lot cheaper one at medvet.com. I ordered one this evening for a splint to hopefully let it heal well.

C'mon Chad, You know good and well even at 600 bucks, them cowdogs of yours are worth every nickel! 

nah, I like the design on thatn but I ordered one of Ebay for closer to $100. We Will see how it goes.

Maybe. But I still can't afford it. Lol.
It's my ugly bulldog that has the injury

[justincorbell]

Thanks for the input guys. The one Terry posted is at orthovet.com and they are pretty proud of them especially a custom fit ($595.00). I found a lot cheaper one at medvet.com. I ordered one this evening for a splint to hopefully let it heal well.

C'mon Chad, You know good and well even at 600 bucks, them cowdogs of yours are worth every nickel! 

nah, I like the design on thatn but I ordered one of Ebay for closer to $100. We Will see how it goes.

Maybe. But I still can't afford it. Lol.
It's my ugly bulldog that has the injury

aww hell i was thinking it was one of your find/bay dogs, I would keep it clean and give him plenty of time to heal up, I know of a cur gyp down the road from my house that had hers completely severed and she still gets it done, with it being a bulldog I think you will be fine as long as you let him heal for a while, hell he don't need that leg to catch an ol boar hog......long as he can hobble on in there and use them teefs he should be fine  ........ In all seriousness though I just got your PM and sent you my #. call me or shoot me a text when you have the time and best of luck with your bulldog!

[spazhogdog]

Had one severed into, done surgery, has plastic splint wrapped for 5 weeks then 3 months of therapy, hand walking at first, swimming for 4 weeks, then started really legging up and she had 90% use back. Mud and lots of water took a toll on her but hunted her for 4 more years