TTA surgery

The most common knee injury in the dog is rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL), also frequently called the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). This injury can occur at any age and in any breed, but most frequently occurs in middle aged, overweight, medium to large breed dogs. Our BJ is a Husky X but was never really overweight but loved to do circles. The rupture of this ligament leads to instability of the knee which leads to the development of painful arthritis. These ruptures can happen immediately or can start with a partial tear. BJ had bilateral surgery which make this even more interesting.
An injured Cruciate Ligament can only be corrected by surgery. There are several surgical options available. The one we choose was the TTA ( Tibial Tuberosity Advancement). The TTA may be the best repair currently available.
The forces within the knee are very complicated and change as the knee is rotated through its range of motion. In a normal standing position there is a tendency for the lower end of the Femur to slide backwards on the tilted Tibial Plateau, or by advancing the Tibial Tuberosity (TTA) therefore changing the angle of pull of the Patellar Tendon.
The TTA procedure is considered to be less invasive because its cut is on a non-weight bearing area of the Tibia. That cut is then stabilized by the use of the more biologically friendly Titanium implants. The TTA procedure may not be right for every dog, but it does seem to make the leg more stabile, particularly with respect to rotation of the joint, known as Pivot Shift.
If you notice that your dog is limping, a trip to your veterinarian and a full workup on the leg is warranted. BJ started with a limp, found out she had a partial tear. About a month later she started using both back legs to hop. Unless you go to a specialist most vets will interpret this as a back problem, since they don’t see bilateral too often. It has been shown that even a partial tear of the Cruciate Ligament can lead to instability and then to a complete rupture. The choice of surgical procedures can then be discussed with your veterinarian, once a diagnosis is made.
Next I’ll do a series of recovery and therapy of the TTA surgery.

Animal Abuse Video

Michael Vick Reinstatement

I just have to comment on the Michael Vick reinstatement. I think it is so wrong that the NFL would let Michael Vick play after being arrested and convicted of having a dog fighting ring. The NFL will allow Vick get to participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games. That is if he can find a team that will sign him. Why would a NFL team sign a man like that? Thank goodness owners of the New York Giants, Jets and Dallas Cowboys have said they had no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback. But I do have to say the Cowboys are very very low on my list (I’m sorry Cowboy fans), but I have to give them a big kudos on that.

Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling the "Bad Newz Kennels" dog fighting operation. Goodell said then that Vick must show remorse and signs that he has changed before he would consider reinstating him. Either you have remorse or you don’t have remorse. What - you have to train him to have remorse?

I’m curious, how Michael will conduct himself on the field? What kind of statement is this for all the young folks of this country? It’s Ok to break the law, serve time and then resume your football career? The professional athletes should be setting an example for these kids and NOT EVER be able to resume their professional careers. Goodell needs to but the hammer down on these criminals. This would also include Drugs, DWI arrest, and beating up their spouses. I say no more - keep them out.

Michael met with the president of the Humane Society of the United States while serving the first 18 months of his federal sentence in the prison at Leavenworth, Kan. He plans to work with HSUS in a program designed to keep inner city youth away from dog fighting. He was not permitted to work with the program while in custody.
You read articles in the paper of how thrill he is to get another opportunity to play. He’s just thrilled to get away with it. What could he have been thinking? He obviously has no heart putting those poor dogs through that.

It makes me so angry that anyone could put ANY animal through abuse. When will people wake up and not think of the money but think of the animal. Just look in their eyes. They have great spirits.

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Thank-you for visiting Free Pet Answers. I hope you find these answers informative and helpful. I have been in the animal world for 30 plus years. My experience includes Horses, sheep, birds, dogs and cats. I worked in a Animal clinic, been a professional dog groomer, owned kennels and a shot clinic. I have owned horses, sheep and the loves of my life, dogs.

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