Awww! Our poor babies with all these bum knees!
I think my Smokey had the cruciate ligament problem... He just had surgery to replace the ligaments in his right knee. Complete bed rest for 3 weeks and now just short walks and then confinement for the next 2 months!
Not to mention when this one is healed he has to have the left one done, too. 6 months total of bed rest!! He's going to be hating me.
We joke that he's only got half his pants on because the hair they shaved off is barely growing back. It looks funny.
But anyway, these were the issues with Smokey--
First, his left knee was bothering him (he was limping, it seemed stiff, etc). We took him to the vet, they did some Xrays, started him on Cosequin and gave him some pain meds. Upon consultation she told us there might be a small tear in his knee somewhere, but it seemed to get better. Then about 8 months later just suddenly he started favoring the right leg. It didn't get better so we took him back to the vet, more Xrays and then a surgical consultation. They determined surgery would be best . He was even starting to lose muscle in the leg from not using it. So we did the surgery (and some tests since he wasn't clotting properly...). He is healing up very well and should be good as new when it's done healing.
Expensive? Heck yes.
Worth it to see him more comfortable and pain free? Absolutely.
Now I just have to start saving for the second knee...
I should have had Pet Insurance before this even started!
I've attached a picture of him on bed rest. Looking bored... But being a good boy!
Good luck with your Katie.
-Amanda
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