Thank you for your detailed answer on what to expect. It definately sounds like a long road after surgery, but also if you don't have it. Ginger, I agree, I think it does depend on how long the recovery will be, I told my sister I would go to the specialist and get his opinion on both ways, and take it from there. Right now shes waiting on results from blood tests, I'm not sure what they are checking for. I'll let you know what she decides. Thanks
I think there are two points of view on this. And I would not like to say anything against your vet's advice.
But I think it can depend on how long recovery is planned. As far as I've learned, surgery can get the dog up and back on its feet and fairly normal again quite quickly, whereas going down the natural healing route can take a much longer time. As most dogs are energetic (and long long periods without decent exercise can put a heck of a lot of strain on a dog and sometimes cause other health problems) -surgery is usually the best call.
My dog is actually recovering from that surgery right now. We did go to a surgeon to have it done and so glad we did. She was limping for a couple of months and we finally took her in for xrays and they said it was a partial tear. We tried anti inflammatory medicine before finally deciding on the procedure.
I am not going to lie...it is a looonnnggg recovery. My dog had the surgery in March and is still confined to the first floor of our home. She cannot go outside without being on a leash. We cannot have company over because she gets too excited and jumps. THe first month is the worst because they have lay down all the time unless they are outside to relieve themselves. THe second month we could stop using the harness that lifted her back end up. Now we are in the third month and she has been able to move about the house a little more (not confined to just one room). She is allowed to do steps once a day with supervision. She still needs to be leashed to go outside but that is only because she chased bunnies. :) We go back to our final visit June 2nd and at that time she should be able to resort back to full activity.
She is an 80 lb lab. We put her on a strict diet since the surgeon said that weight is a big factor. She was 88 lbs when she had the surgery so she is losing the weight. Only 5 lbs to go.
The surgeon also said that she will probably tear her other leg eventually due to using it more than she should because of the tear on the other leg. Hopefully but losing the weight and keeping her active that wont happen.
I would advise doing it if you have an extra $2500 laying around. We did it because our pup is only 3 and has a lot of living left to do.
Thanks for your opinion on the surgery. The dog is my sisters, and shes afraid of doing the surgery. She asked my opinion, but I had no clue. I'll give her your answer, she has to go to a specialist, and maybe she can hit him up with some of your ideas. Thanks, Karla.
Hi there Linda...The sight came up for me....Fortunately, I've read it before.....
In my experience with a torn ACL, my Regular Vet said immediate Surgery was needed, too..... I then took him (My Dog) to his Holistic Vet who said Absolutely NOT to surgery....
However, my guy is 20lbs. & I do believe size makes a difference....I understand that there are leg braces for large dogs, that stabalize the knee while it heals....Either on it's own or after surgery.....
My Vets recommendations are a good Joint supplement and Laser Therapy.....It's been over a year, now and he seems fine....If it starts bothering him (After a crazy day of running), we go get a laser treatment...Lasers heal from the inside out.....
My Vet's complaint was that his knee would be much worse if he had the surgery....Because of Arthrititis.....I was confused with all of this, but so far so good......
I do add a good Omega 3 Fatty Acid to his meals for inflammation.....
That's my experience, hope some of it will help you out.....Come back if you need to.....Karla
I have to redo it, the site didn't come out.