Rough start to 2013 hunting season.

[2thepointsetters]

7 days before our first Nodak trip my oldest setter Buddy tore his CCL. He had emergency TPLO surgery yesterday and we get to bring him home tomorrow. Looks like it is about a 16 week to 6 month time frame for full recovery. It's going to be a long fall without my best hunting partner. I canceled the Nodak trips so I can stay home to take of him. I still have a younger female setter to hunt with but it's going to be tough without him seeing us leave. He was having great year with about 40 grouse pointed so far.

[Ryan_V]

tough one. had mine go down at the end of last year. good luck!

[Ufatz]

For whatever consolation it might bring you, be assured you have the support and sympathy of everybody here. let's hope your pal comes out of it well and hunts many more seasons.

Helluva way to start the season. Hang in there. And give Buddy a doggie donut on behalf of all of us.

[charliepete]

That sucks about buddy! How old a dog is he? Is he neutered? Who did you have do the TPLO? On the bright side I have been hearing more and more reports lately of dogs coming back from it essentially unchanged. I hope things works out for you.

[bottomdweller]

2thepointers

Sorry to hear of your partners knee. The down time sucks but with being faithful on the rehab your dog should be as good as new.

My border collie has had both legs done and just finished up getting her master champion title in agility.

Lots of excercises you can do that even the vet does not furnish so any questions give a shout. Underwater treadmill work really helped when they are able to go in the water too.

Nodak was a great trip for me on the opener, filled out, seeing lots of birds. Down a little but not bad from what I was thinking it was going to be. Hopefully you can get the young one out

[2thepointsetters]

That sucks about buddy! How old a dog is he? Is he neutered? Who did you have do the TPLO? On the bright side I have been hearing more and more reports lately of dogs coming back from it essentially unchanged. I hope things works out for you.

Buddy is 7.5 years old and not neutered. DVM Tom Dougherty did the operation in Duluth. He was great to work with was very concerned to do his best to get Buddy fixed right. He even gave me his cell number to call whenever we need.

[2thepointsetters]

Thanks everybody for the kind words.

The surgery went great and Buddy is doing very well all things considered. We built him a 4x6 kennel in the porch to make him as comfortable as possible. It has been a lot of work so far but it will get easier as the days go on. He is not very fond of the lamp shade on his head. I let him sleep in my lap on floor for couple hours this morning so he could get some good rest.