Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Sprain versus Strain
A sprain is a torn ligament and a strain is a torn tendon, however both result in swelling and inflammation in the damaged area. Signs are pain over the joint, swelling of the tissues, and temporary lameness.
The key to treating these injuries is to get ice or cold pack onto the affected area immediately to help reduce swelling and keep further damage to a minimum. Apply the ice or cold pack wrapped in a towel for 20 minutes, then remove the ice for 20 minutes, and keep repeating.
If your dog won’t weight bear on the injured leg within a couple of hours or is still limping after 48 hours then seek your Vets attention. ( This is true for any injury that fails to improve in 24 hours)
Case : REA – Hawkshead Labradors – 7 October 2014
Rea had torn her cruciate ligament, chasing rabbits and having a wonderful time at the age of 7. She had surgery after 5 days of anti-inflammatories. That was the easy bit……….she is now confined to caged rest for 6 weeks. Her wound is stitched and stapled, no bandages, no pain killers and no more anti- inflammatories. She is a very good patient, it does help when it is in her placid nature to just go with the flow anyway. I have Sasha and Amber as well, the logistics around the house are a little different………..Rea is now on a lead 3 or 4 times a day to go outside to the toilet and she is in a ‘safe’ environment where the other 2 cannot encourage her to play. 6 weeks may seem like a long time at the beginning, but I have learnt from the start that ‘post op’ care and rehabilitation has to be extremely strict. This is a common injury, and common again to have it done twice !
I hope to have Rea back on deck by the end of November so she can at least play with Ambers’ 4 week old pups in the garden. I am sure she will not miss the rabbits…………
Bridget Jones