Zoee - good news/bad news

[Taz_Zoee]

We brought Zoee home this past Sunday! :D
Last night she is limping and not putting that leg down again. Bruce immediately says she needs surgery, yet he doesn't want to pay for it. He thinks the five months at my moms was a waste of time. But she was getting better. I think our house is just too much for her legs. We have hardwood floors and she takes off out the door like a bullet every time. Of course I suggested to take her out on her leash, but he says the time at my moms didn't help so it wouldn't help here either. Plus she has Taggart here. She likes to play with him where she doesn't play with my moms dogs like that. I am not home all day, I can't control what happens when I'm not there and this is so frustrating to me I want to scream!!
I am at a loss. I just don't know what to do anymore!! I had a strange dream last night where I could not stop crying. I think that means something. :(

So Zoee might be going back to my moms either this weekend or next.

[Karen]

How much is the surgery? Could you set aside some money every week and be able to pay for it yourself?

[Taz_Zoee]

How much is the surgery? Could you set aside some money every week and be able to pay for it yourself?

Of course I could. I also have Care Credit. But that's not the point. I don't want to put her through surgery. She was getting better at my moms and then is home for less than 24 hours and is bad again. I think we messed up what was done over the 5 months she was gone. :( We brought her home too soon. And he's not working with me on anything. He is the one jumping to surgery and he's not willing to pay for it. That's my frustration, on top of Zoee's issue to begin with. I'm sorry if I'm sounding snappy, but I am in physical pain myself right now so I'm very irritable. :( (we need a crying icon)

[Karen]

Sending you hugs. Why (out of curiosity) do you not want to do the surgery? I know dogs that have done very well afterwards ...)

[Taz_Zoee]

Sending you hugs. Why (out of curiosity) do you not want to do the surgery? I know dogs that have done very well afterwards ...)

In our research (mine and my moms) it is not guaranteed it will work and then you've just put the dog through unnecessary surgery. Plus, if she does have surgery that's even more of an ordeal to deal with than just keeping her activity down. She would be on NO activity for weeks. I told him he can pay for it and deal with her after the surgery if he's so hell-bent on doing the surgery. Of course that didn't fly with him. LOL
I also told him to do his research. I did mine and this is what I came up with. He is so good at researching things. But I guess this is not important enough for him. :(

[Alysser]

I am so sorry to hear this Cindy. I was so excited to see your post on FB about finally bringing Zoee home. :( I really don't have any suggestions. Doing the surgery could pose a risk, especially since it may not work but there's always the chance it will to. I support your decision in whatever you decide.

(((hugs)))

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you Alyssa. :)

[Scooter's Mom]

I'm so sorry that Zoee is limping again already. I do understand not wanting to put her through a surgery that might not prove successful. We opted not to put Oreo through surgery on his ACL (I think that's right) because the vet said it might not work, and then he would be in more pain than he was originally (he wasn't acting like he hurt, just wasn't walking). It's such a hard choice to make. ((Hugs)) to you and sweet Zoee.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I was hoping to hear that she was now home and doing well. I don't know what to tell you to do. I'll continue to keep Zoee in my thoughts and prayers.

[cassiesmom]

(((HUGS))) and prayers for Zoee and her people!

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you everyone. Tonight she is not limping as bad as last night. But I've talked to my mom and she said she'd take her back. We both agreed it was too soon. I did need to get her to the vet for vaccines anyway though. So that is done.
Bruce and I had a discussion tonight as well. He wanted to know if they took x-rays while she is sedated would they be able to get a more definitive answer. I talked to the vet and she said they were sure it was a torn ACL. The radiologist said what he saw was compatible with that of an ACL tear. The vet said the only reason you'd need an xray now is to proceed with surgery. She suggested we do a consult with a surgeon. I need to discuss this with Bruce. I really want to give it another try at my moms.

[luvofallhorses]

So, she has never had her torn ACL fixed? Believe me, it's not an un necessary procedure. I have known many people who had their dog's legs fixed and they did just fine. She has been like this for months, right? She does need that leg fixed, do some research and talk to your vet about it.

It's not always un necessary. My friend had both of her dog's legs fixed from torn ACLs and she did just fine! It's normal to worry about her, but I truly think the surgery could help her. :)

We have had dogs come into the shelter with torn ACLs and they never got fixed and have had to have their legs amputated. Not trying to scare you, but it can get worse and worse. Not sure if it has anything to do with your hardwood floors.. it probably was going to happen again any ways.

If money isn't an issue, I would get it fixed. She will be better off for it being fixed because I am sure she's probably in a lot of pain dragging the leg around.

[Jessika]

We do ACL surgeries at my clinic all the time. We are not a specialty practice, but will do it for smaller dogs and/or clients who don't have the finances to go to the specialist. Our success rate i would guesstimate to be around 90% with strict owner compliance with post-op exercise restrictions. I have seen soo soo many success stories following the procedure versus the unsuccessful stories usually is because owners did not follow through with post-op restrictions. It sounds like you're already good with keeping her restricted at your moms.

A torn ACL does not get better. I know first hand that it is not a cheap procedure, but check around your area for different vets or practices that may do it a little cheaper. I have only seen one knee repair fail that wasn't the fault of the owner, and we re-repaired it for free.

I wish you lived closer to come to my clinic :(

[mrspunkysmom]

Sorry to hear Zoee got worse once coming back home. Perhaps a surgery and recovery at your mom's.

I support whatever decision you make.

[Taz_Zoee]

Sorry to hear Zoee got worse once coming back home. Perhaps a surgery and recovery at your mom's.

I support whatever decision you make.

This is why I'm trying to avoid surgery. There is no way she could recover at our house and I really don't want to put that responsibility on my mom. :( But if it comes down to it................we'll figure it out.
I am hopeful since she was doing so well before I brought her home. And even when I went to take her back she was walking really well on that leg again. I wanted to keep her home another week (since I'm going back up there on Thursday for graduations) but then decided not to because she could injure it further.

I would have to discuss this long and hard with my mom to see if she would be willing to care for her after surgery. She is the one that is more against an "unnecessary" surgery. So I'd have to convince her it is necessary. I'm just going to give it another try and we'll go from there. She is not in horrible pain. In fact it doesn't slow her down at all. Or she would be in surgery as we speak.

Thanks for all the ideas, suggestions and tips everyone! :D I will revisit this thread as I need to.

[luvofallhorses]

Well, you may not notice her being in pain because some dogs hide pain well so you may want to get that leg looked at by the vet again.

[Jessika]

Keep us updated!!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Keep us updated!!!

Thank you! :)

I did talk to the vet (on the phone) about her knee. The other vet in the office, not the one that originally saw her for it. She suggested we have a consult with a surgeon. Like Bruce said, what are they going to tell us? That she needs surgery. Would a surgeon really tell us she doesn't need surgery, since that's what they do?
But that would be our next step. And it may be sooner than we want if she doesn't show improvement again.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry, I just don't get why the holdup on surgery. It's not going to get better! I had my RB Laceys knees both done and we had two dogs, two dogs who wanted to play.

[Scooter's Mom]

Putting a pet through surgery is really such a personal decision. I hope that whatever you decide in the long run, that Zoee remains a happy girl.
Many hugs to you both.

[Jessika]

I'm sorry, I just don't get why the holdup on surgery. It's not going to get better! I had my RB Laceys knees both done and we had two dogs, two dogs who wanted to play.

Because the only appropriate place to recover and properly keep up with post-op restrictions would be at her mother's (right?) house, and they don't want to put that much responsibility on her, is my understanding.

[lizbud]

Because the only appropriate place to recover and properly keep up with post-op restrictions would be at her mother's (right?) house, and they don't want to put that much responsibility on her, is my understanding.


Don't see how it's much different than the responsibilty her mother already has had keeping Zoee quiet,
hoping the limp would go away with just rest. I was incredibly lucky that my Maggie's leg healed with limited
activity & Rimadyl for the pain until she was able to bear weight on the leg without limping again.

I do hope Zoee gets back to the happy camper that she used to be soon.:)

[chocolatepuppy]

Because the only appropriate place to recover and properly keep up with post-op restrictions would be at her mother's (right?) house, and they don't want to put that much responsibility on her, is my understanding.

As I said before my RB Lacey had both kness done and we survived. Many dogs have this done. Keeping a dog calm before and after surgery is quite similar. I know I wouldn't want to live with a torn ACL. I hope for the best for Zoee.

[Taz_Zoee]

We know this is a decision we will have to make soon. Especially since my mom could be losing her house in a year or so. Yes, I don't want to put that responsibility on her. After surgery would be worse than how it is now. She can walk (and run a little) right now. We could keep her at home, but my issue with that is I'm not home all day and Bruce works out of the house. He would have to commit to taking on the task of caring for her while he works. That's something we'd need to discuss too. I would stress that he's not caring for her properly (my own paranoia), not that he isn't a good doggie dad. But when he is working he tends to tune everything else out. People sometimes say "well what if you had kids?" and my response is "we don't!!". Who knows what it would be like if we had kids? We will never find that out. Dogs and cats are enough for us. :) Ours seem to be almost as expensive as kids. :p

I think I'd like to try Zoee at my moms through the summer. She can get exercise swimming and that is good for her. It will be easier to keep her confined during the winter, at least I think so.

I do appreciate everyone's concerns and I am listening to all of you, I swear. I am constantly thinking of my options and how I will handle all of this. Thank you all so much. :)

[Varga]

I'm sure you're doing what is absolutely best for her. No one knows her, or your situation as well as you do.
Whatever step you take next, I'm wishing you and Zoee all the best :) And yes, please do keep us updated.