cruciate (?) in ESS

[sandgrubber]

Yoli, 6 yr old ESS, has been limping and not putting weight on her L hind leg.  She stops limping on walks.  After a week of hoping it would go away, I took her to the vet, who said her knee was quite swollen, probably cruciate ligament, possibly arthritis, and booked her for X-rays in a few days time with a recommendation to curtail exercise.

Much to my surprise, she has been happy staying in the car while my other dog went for his walk.  And after a day of rest she's putting more weight on her foot.

QUESTION: Is it worth postponing the X-rays for a week or so to see if rest alone, without surgery, will resolve the problem?  

(My regular vet practice was recently bought by a syndicate, and I'm not sure I can trust them to start with the most conservative treatment option).

 

 

[tdierikx]

I'd probably get the x-ray done, but make it clear that depending on the result, you are wanting to take a conservative approach with any treatment, as you have noticed an improvement with rest. Have they given you any pain relief for her in the meantime? If so, that may be working to mask some symptoms. Better to know what you may be dealing with if her cruciate has become unstable, or she's got arthritis. An unstable cruciate can be managed with rest and pain relief whenever it flares up, just like arthritis - surgery should only be considered if the cruciate is fully ruptured and unlikely to heal on it's own.

 

T.