Torn Cruciate

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Forgot to add earlier, we seriously thought about the surgery as it would have been more comfortable for her but our vet told us that there was only one vet anywhere near us that could do it and he charged $2500 with a 40% chance of it actually being successful.

[GoetheMommy]

My vet said she would do it, but didn't seem confident. I don't know if that was because she isn't a skillful surgeon, or just would rather a specialist do it, or because the success rate over a longer period of time isn't much higher than letting them heal at home. By success I mean not only restoring mobility, but avoiding arthritis. It seems to me that even though they have the surgery they will still eventually develop arthritis in the joint. As I understand, the pain from the injury will subside as it heals, and that long term pain comes from arthritis. It seems to me that the surgery is good for a faster recovery and staving off arthritis for the next year or two, but that in the end, her knee will still have the arthritis, and will never be the same as before the injury.

[lv4dogs]

Here's a helpful site, or at least it was a few years ago, thats about the last time I really looked around. It was very helpful for me when I needed it.
http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/


Gosh, there was a community/forum that I used to a member of for years, it was strictly about anything that had to do with mobility issues in dogs. I lost the link when we had some computer work done a few months ago. I've been searching all day & can't seem to find it. When I do I'll post it, that site was my best friend during many hard time with both Raustyk & Nanook as well as a few fosters.

[GoetheMommy]

Oh my . .

[Nomilynn]

I used to work in a clinic and unless your vet is an actual orthopedic surgeon, have her refer you to another clinic. Where I worked, there were ortho doctors and even with their specialty the surgery is not always a 100% guarantee. If you think she has doubts, please go to someone with more experience.

[GoetheMommy]

This is the way I have decided to treat Goethe.

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/ACL.HTM

Thank you for all your input and support. I had no idea 5 days ago that something so major could be looming on the horizon!