ACL surgery for a dog - recommendations...

[ImJustKCClone]

The students are there to learn. They take histories, do exams, administer treatments, all under the direct supervision of the faculty. I've had a number of interactions with staff & students at the vet school, and have always been happy with the care my pets were given. I believe your fears are unfounded. Students may assist, but they would not be operating solo.

It's no different than med students, interns and residents at a teaching hospital.

 

[Rabbuk]

Put me in the camp that would struggle with the notion of spending 3.5k on a dog.

 

[isufbcurt]

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 have no problems taking our pets to the Vet school. We have taken both our cat and dog there, they have always been professional, done great work and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there. The big plus to me is they are open 24/7!

 

[CYvilEng]

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.

I have serious doubts a plan at that poetics would cover anything. I've been researching recently and I'm seeing $70-90 for my St Bernards each. And these are ones that actually cover the things we have/are dealing with.

I have no problems taking our pets to the Vet school. We have taken both our cat and dog there, they have always been professional, done great work and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there. The big plus to me is they are open 24/7!

We along with our vet prefer consulting with ISU for the major things. Two years ago our youngest st bernard was 3years old and diagnosed with hip dysplasia. We first went to the emergency vet on 63rd in DSM. They recommended surgery on each hip at $2k each. We went to ISU and they recommended physical therapy exercises we do at home then followed with pain management later in life. We feel ISU made the best decision for the quality of life of Freddy and not the decision that helps pay their bills.

We are currently working with ISU again because poor Fred has been diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer.

The students at the ISU vet do not do surgery on your pet. They do have most of the interaction with the humans and pets at least initially and I'm sure the student might do the initial diagnosis but the real vet makes the decisions and does the surgeries.

 

[jsb]

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.

I think my parents went through this with their 7 or 8 year old lab too. She was an outside dog and came up limping for a week or so. They took her to the vet and he said it was either an ACL/MCL or something else (I think they opted not to do the X-rays). Basically they were told that if it was the ACL/MCL it would be a $3500 fix. And the vet advised them to wait a while and see what happened. I don't know that they would have spent the $3500 (older dog, outside dog, etc. But my parents are now empty nesters who spend money like I can't believe), but in a few weeks she was better and seemed to adjust to it and didn't really limp anymore.

Sadly she ended up with cancer about a year later and she had to be put down. This dog was kind of a pain in the butt for a lot of her life---she was hyper and would jump on my mom (only my mom) and really hurt my mom. They tried a lot of things with her and eventually she calmed down. But I still thought she was kind an annoyance to my parents. But my poor mom had the hardest time putting her down and had a sort of Make a Wish week with the dog and still gets sad when talking about that dog who I always thought she pretty much hated.

 

[LutherBlue]

We feel ISU made the best decision for the quality of life of Freddy and not the decision that helps pay their bills.

Freddy is a great name for a St. Bernard. Take good care of him and enjoy it.

 

[IAStubborn]

Our old vet told us the same thing after similar situation 10 years ago and when we found out price we were shocked. My wife said "can't they just cut off his leg"? Later that day he chewed off the bandage and put weight on it like nothing was wrong (after 3 weeks of no weight and the prognosis). Went to a new vet and they told us that all breeds are a little different and knees look and sound different but our dogs knee was probably going to be fine also said it's an inexact science. Some dogs recover fine from torn acl. Hence, either he heard us talking about chopping his leg off and had a miraculous recovery or our first vet was dead wrong. So I would talk about chopping his leg off in front of him and if that doesn't work seek a second opinion before hauling up to ISU.

 

[Cychl82]

Yeah, I mean I loved my dog when she was with us, but if it came down to spending $3,500 I don't think I could do it.

I dont know bout anyone saying that but knowing how i feel bout my dogs....id drop this 3500 no problem. What do you suggest have it put to sleep? :shocked:

 

[Naughtius]

Avondale Clinic SE of DSM. On Army Post. Maybe a Runneals address?

Our dog shattered his femur a few years ago. The X-ray made me wince. Dr. Woodruff somehow pulled the shards together and got him going. Spendy, but if you're close enough to get your dog there for a 2nd opinion, I'd recommend that clinic to anyone.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I dont know bout anyone saying that but knowing how i feel bout my dogs....id drop this 3500 no problem. What do you suggest have it put to sleep? :shocked:

My brother in law is a vet and has had people bring in animals to be put down because the people didn't like the animals personality. My mom got a Himalayan and a Rag Doll that way. Both were great cats, they just didn't like to be held. His current dog is another that someone wanted put down because it had a hip problem as a puppy.

 

[ChrisMWilliams]

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.

Could not have been put any better IMO.

When we lost our pup last year to cancer last year (at the age of 2), I'm pretty sure my wife and I would have spent our life savings to save her if we could have. It's all a matter of circumstances, priorities and the individuals at hand. We don't have kids. Our pets are our kids and we aren't afraid to admit that. If you think that makes me a ridiculous human being, so be it. That's a you problem. We spent over a grand on Paisley (and my wife is a vet) and that was just through testing at Iowa State and all that jazz. We lost our dog and cat in 2013. Worst year ever.

Having said all of that, I will never judge someone who wouldn't spend that kind of money on their dog. Who am I to tell you what your priorities should be? I grew up in a farm town. I get it.

 

[IAStubborn]

Dog ACL Injury-- Is Surgery Really Needed? I would read this. Based on my personal experience of full recovery and healthy knee the rest of the dogs life (well he is 12 now and was 2 when it happened so 10 years and is as acrobatic and active as ever) and others here along with many others (this is essentially what the second opinion vet told me) in the field I wouldn't necessarily jump into a decision. They also sell acl knee stabilizers for dogs to keep the knee immobile allowing some natural healing. Obviously not an exact science and doesn't seem a lot of research has been done on the subject. Anyway, I would have done it had he not recovered but am sure glad I waited.

 

[ruxCYtable]

If you're going to do it, spend the money and have it done right by someone who's an expert. Don't try to save $500 and then end up having to do it again or it is ineffective. I have a good buddy whose dog needed both rear legs and the price you are quoted was about what he paid at Eastern Iowa Vet Hospital.

Agree with this as well.

We have had two friends go through this. In both cases the surgery was botched by their regular vets.

Vast majority of vets are fantastic but part of being good at something is knowing your limitations. My impression was both of these vets didn't get a lot of opportunities to do surgery so when a chance came up they jumped for joy even though it may have been beyond their skill set.

 

[Sparkplug]

Check into Care Credit. Know people that have used it.

When I got my OES I also bought him health insurance. (No it is not part of ACA)

Haven't used it yet (knock on wood) but I'm glad to know I have it for him.

 

[wxman1]

Hope I never have to but I will certainly remember this thread if we ever have any issues with our golden.

 

[Yellow Snow]

I just thought I should put this here I love pets.

 

[isu22andy]

Cats are the goldfish of the pet world.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Cats are the goldfish of the pet world.

Our cats meet us at the door when we come home from work. They curl up on the couch & watch TV with us. The fuzzy yellow one is on my lap nearly any time I'm on the computer at home. The big yellow one is on the back of hubby's office chair whenever he's in the chair. They keep our feet warm in bed at night.

Cats are underrated. They're not as sloppily affectionate as dogs (and yes, I do like dogs)...but they aren't the imperious monarchs that some people think. They're somewhere in the middle.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Besides, how can you resist this?

 

[Incyte]

I like my dog but I would never consider putting more than $1000 into him. Same with my in-laws.