ACL surgery for a dog - recommendations...

[IcSyU]

And your point is?

I work for my money and if I choose to spend it on my dog that's my choice. Just like it is your choice to spend your hard earned money on internet porn or whatever.

This guy gets it.

I spend ridiculous amounts of money on my dog and I'm cool with that because he brings a lot to the table in the grand scheme of things. Other people spend ridiculous amounts of money on collectible cars, others save it, some spend it on concerts, etc. If that makes them happy more power to them.

 

[3TrueFans]

And your point is?

I work for my money and if I choose to spend it on my dog that's my choice. Just like it is your choice to spend your hard earned money on internet porn or whatever.

Take it easy Mr. Defensive Pants, I don't think anyone has said anything about you not being able to spend your money on what you want.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Interesting logic

Why is it interesting logic? I am far too unsettled for any pets. The last thing in the world I want is to come home to a dog jumping all over me. I also like to pick up and go whenever I want. It isn't fair to a pet to leave them alone all the time. I also would never spend $3,500 on a pet in a situation like this, but I would also hate to put one down if presented with the situation.
Therefore the logical choice is to not own a pet. I'm not saying I never would, I'm just saying that at this time pet is not a priority to me. Owning one would be unfair to the animal.

 

[breck53]

We had it done to our dog-well worth the money if you value your dog as much as we do. It hurts the pocketbook, but would do it again in a second. Quality of life, and how your dog gives unconditional love makes it worth the effort!!

 

[ImJustKCClone]

I think it's a question of individual priorities. I mentioned earlier that I had two different pets that had hip procedures done. In each case the escaped confinement in the house/yard and was hit by a car - broke a hind leg on each...what are the odds?. For each of them the damage to the femur was close to the socket, and apparently that's a tough one to get the bone to heal. The procedure involved removing the ball from the end of the femur and any fragments of it from the socket. Then they smooth the end of the femur and use muscle tissue cap the end of the bone and "tie" it to the socket. After a few weeks of extremely restricted movement, each was back to near normal range of movement. The cat could jump just as well as ever, the Brit could spend all day in the field with no ill effects. Both of the animals were very young - around 2 - when their accidents occurred. The cat lived to the ripe old age of 17 before succumbing to kidney failure. The dog lived to about 12 years old. Given the same circumstances, I would do the same thing again.

I'm not rich, but it was worth it to me to spend the money on them. So, you choose to buy a widescreen HD tv, or you buy a vehicle with all the bells & whistles, or you vacation in Europe, or you choose to spend the money on your pets. How is your fancy car any more worth it than my pet? I recognize that people who work daily with livestock have a different outlook, but to many of us our pets provide unconditional love and companionship, and that's what makes them pets, not livestock or farm animals (cats & dogs). To me it's worth what I can afford to restore their health when they are sick or injured, if the prognosis is good for recovery and significantly extended time with us.

 

[cytech]

I am being faced with a similar situation right now with my shorthair. My dog had been having some mobility problems for about the last month and a half. I took her to the vet after it got worse. Vet said that it was most likely a MCL or ACL tear in her hind leg.

He gave me some medication to deal with the inflammation, and advised me to cut her food intake to half of the recommended amount on the bag to help her lose some weight. He said to give her salads/green vegetables to supplement the dog food.

She is still showing mobility issues but the limping has reduced. I don't plan on having the surgery done regardless of if it gets better or worse. My dog already has other health issues where she is on prescription food, and over $100 a month in pills for her seizures. If she didn't have the other health issues I would do it in a heart beat though.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Why is it interesting logic? I am far too unsettled for any pets. The last thing in the world I want is to come home to a dog jumping all over me. I also like to pick up and go whenever I want. It isn't fair to a pet to leave them alone all the time. I also would never spend $3,500 on a pet in a situation like this, but I would also hate to put one down if presented with the situation.
Therefore the logical choice is to not own a pet. I'm not saying I never would, I'm just saying that at this time pet is not a priority to me. Owning one would be unfair to the animal.

...and I'd say you understand your priorities, and that's a good thing.

We no longer have dogs because we don't have the kids around caring for them. Cats are more independent, and can be left to their own devices a bit more than dogs. We have a reciprocal agreement with a friend; when we are out of town she comes over & checks food, water & litter box, and plays with them for a while. When she is out of town we do the same for her cat.

 

[kingcy]

People like you amaze me. If you have never owned a dog I guess I can understand the comment. If you have, I feel sorry for you.

Why just because some are not willing to spend $3500 on a dog doesn't makes them a bad person. I had a dog before and loved having it gave it a good life, but at the end of the day spending $3500 on a dog is more than I am willing to do.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Does anyone have pet insurance? I've got a big dog and now you all have got me worrying about this. It would run about $8-10 a month.

 

[enisthemenace]

We went through this a few months ago with our lab-boarder collie mix...mutt if you prefer. I also started a discussion here, and ask the same question. It's definitely a tough one. Our dog is great. Good with kids, friendly with guests, never has bared teeth, etc, etc.

We were quoted a very similar price and mulled it over. It was a complete tear, according to the vet. Our dog wouldn't put weight on it, and didn't for almost a month. We opted to not have surgery. It has been quite some time now, and while he is less active than he was before (almost hyper-active at times before), he seems to be doing just fine. He now, not only puts weight on his leg but runs around again. There is no noticeable limp and he does not appear to be in any pain.

Now, our dog is 8 years old, which definitely played a role in our decision to not have surgery. If he had been younger, maybe 2-3, we probably would have, but with his age and life expectancy, coupled with some research on the canine's incredible ability to heal, we didn't jump to a decision.

Again, tough call. Can't fault someone for going either way, assuming we aren't talking about complete negligence.

 

[cytech]

We went through this a few months ago with our lab-boarder collie mix...mutt if you prefer. I also started a discussion here, and ask the same question. It's definitely a tough one. Our dog is great. Good with kids, friendly with guests, never has bared teeth, etc, etc.

We were quoted a very similar price and mulled it over. It was a complete tear, according to the vet. Our dog wouldn't put weight on it, and didn't for almost a month. We opted to not have surgery. It has been quite some time now, and while he is less active than he was before (almost hyper-active at times before), he seems to be doing just fine. He now, not only puts weight on his leg but runs around again. There is no noticeable limp and he does not appear to be in any pain.

Now, our dog is 8 years old, which definitely played a role in our decision to not have surgery. If he had been younger, maybe 2-3, we probably would have, but with his age and life expectancy, coupled with some research on the canine's incredible ability to heal, we didn't jump to a decision.

Again, tough call. Can't fault someone for going either way, assuming we aren't talking about complete negligence.

My vet told me most of the time people do not surgically repair this type of a problem in dogs. Said out of maybe 10 cases a month of this problem he usually would surgically repair 2 of them.

 

[ISUAlum05]

I've always had a German shepherd for a dog. They always stay outside and a free to do as they please. We let her in when ever it's cold to sit on the rug at the front door. I love my dog, but if you think I'm going to spend 3500 dollars or a 1000 dollars for that matter you mistaken. Someone accidentally backed over my dog a couple of years ago and broke her back two legs. It was around a grand to fix it so we put her down. When you grow up on a farm that's how things go.

You love your dog but make her live outside... and her life isn't worth a grand to you... You do not love your dog, and you shouldn't have one..

 

[kingcy]

You love your dog but make her live outside... and her life isn't worth a grand to you... You do not love your dog, and you shouldn't have one..

Its a dog, they can live outside.

 

[3TrueFans]

I don't get the point of having a dog as a pet but then keeping it outside all the time.

 

[CYme]

Vet tried to tell me my black lab had torn both her ACLs, but they'd be happy to schedule surgery there. My girl runs just as hard, plays just as hard and shows no difference than my chocolate who they told me a week earlier was in excellent shape. My girl jumps off the deck running full speed, we rough house and roll around on the floor playing tug of war and if her knees were bothering her, she'd let me know. She is 7, will be 8 this July, just like her brother.

I'm not spending 6000-7000 for two ACL surgeries that she doesn't appear to need. If she gets to the point where she is limping or appears in pain, I'll mitigate it just like I do my knee pain.

I must be a horrible parent and dog lover.

 

[CYme]

I don't get the point of having a dog as a pet but then keeping it outside all the time.

My dogs would love to be outside all day from April to November. I have to bring them in at night during the summer by bribing them with playtime and treats.

 

[3TrueFans]

My dogs would love to be outside all day from April to November. I have to bring them in at night during the summer by bribing them with playtime and treats.

My kid would stay outside all day if he could but I still let him sleep inside....usually.

 

[State43]

My dog wouldn't put her leg down for 3-4 weeks at all. I knew there was no way that was just going to magically heal. Without her ACL there, there would be nothing to keep the lower and upper joint from basically grinding each other causing a lot of pain and accelerated arthritis. It's a tough decision costing a lot of money but if you view it as just a dog, it hard to argue that you "love" it.

 

[Cyfan1843]

Big dogs are tough they require surgery and a few more dollars. I have a Corgi was training it to hurd and she tore both hers. My local vet was able to stitch it for $500 per knee but she said dogs over 50lbs they'd send them to ISU. We looked into ISU it was going to be $1800 per knee which we could spend but turns out a vet student would be doing it not the actual experienced veterinarian, if you go to ISU just look out for who's doing it. I don't have a problem with students, I have a lot of friends that were just if I am paying that I want the guy that wrote the book one someone that just read it.

 

[isudoc03]

Big dogs are tough they require surgery and a few more dollars. I have a Corgi was training it to hurd and she tore both hers. My local vet was able to stitch it for $500 per knee but she said dogs over 50lbs they'd send them to ISU. We looked into ISU it was going to be $1800 per knee which we could spend but turns out a vet student would be doing it not the actual experienced veterinarian, if you go to ISU just look out for who's doing it. I don't have a problem with students, I have a lot of friends that were just if I am paying that I want the guy that wrote the book one someone that just read it.

I can guarantee that a student would definitely not be doing knee surgery on a dog. They might get to stitch up the skin but they wouldn't be doing the actual knee repair.