dog with cruciate ligament tear
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wyvern
Member
We had a 50lb mutt that blew out both cruciates. The first time, one of the vets I worked with told me he had to go to the specialists for surgery ($$$$) that he wouldn't do a repair. That Taz was too heavy The other vet said that he would do the repair, but we had to keep the dogs weight down and no more frizbe. We did the repair. Taz did fine he developed a limp and joint pain. When he blew out the other cruciate, he was no longer a surgery candidate (age and heart problems). It looked like we would have to put him down until we found orthopets (orthopets.com). We had a brace made and after a while, the knee stabilized. His quality of life was still good. However, once in a while you could tell his knees really hurt. His days of long walks and frizby were long gone by that time anyway. The brace gave us another year with Taz. Best of luck with your dog.
deejeff442
Active Member
my parents had a 150 lb. rott and had to have both legs done a year apart.
around $1500 but he didnt have any issues with his legs after that.
he was around 3 yrs old.
sadly when he was 4 he got an auto amune blood disorder and they had to put him to sleep.
he was an awesome big baby of a dog.
around $1500 but he didnt have any issues with his legs after that.
he was around 3 yrs old.
sadly when he was 4 he got an auto amune blood disorder and they had to put him to sleep.
he was an awesome big baby of a dog.
makoshrk2
Member
Originally Posted by deejeff442
http:///forum/post/3017995
my parents had a 150 lb. rott and had to have both legs done a year apart.
around $1500 but he didnt have any issues with his legs after that.
he was around 3 yrs old.
sadly when he was 4 he got an auto amune blood disorder and they had to put him to sleep.
he was an awesome big baby of a dog.
150# rotti. Were you feeding it double cheeseburgers everyday or what. That is hugely overweight.
http:///forum/post/3017995
my parents had a 150 lb. rott and had to have both legs done a year apart.
around $1500 but he didnt have any issues with his legs after that.
he was around 3 yrs old.
sadly when he was 4 he got an auto amune blood disorder and they had to put him to sleep.
he was an awesome big baby of a dog.
150# rotti. Were you feeding it double cheeseburgers everyday or what. That is hugely overweight.
scsinet
Active Member
My wife's parents airedale had this happen when he slipped on the ice.
He was about 7 when it was done. He suffers from terrible hip pain, but so far they've been able to manage it with Tramadol.
IMO it's a cost/age thing. I'm a firm believer that if you have the money, and you aren't putting yourself into a bad financial place (credit cards... etc), and the pet can enjoy a long, healthy life afterwards, go for it. But if the dog is 8 years old or something, you need to seriously consider the costs versus the benefits.
He was about 7 when it was done. He suffers from terrible hip pain, but so far they've been able to manage it with Tramadol.
IMO it's a cost/age thing. I'm a firm believer that if you have the money, and you aren't putting yourself into a bad financial place (credit cards... etc), and the pet can enjoy a long, healthy life afterwards, go for it. But if the dog is 8 years old or something, you need to seriously consider the costs versus the benefits.
lessthanlethal
Member
Hello,
I am a vet Tech for 15yrs. What is the wt. of the dog? If he/she is heavy you will need to keep the wt off of him/her. He/She can rip the other leg due to wt compacation. this is a pretty common thing due to injury or
it could be due to genetics if it is a breeding dog you may not want breed him. The surgery need to be done It will not go away. Did they confirm it with a xray? I hope this help you good luck
B
I am a vet Tech for 15yrs. What is the wt. of the dog? If he/she is heavy you will need to keep the wt off of him/her. He/She can rip the other leg due to wt compacation. this is a pretty common thing due to injury or
it could be due to genetics if it is a breeding dog you may not want breed him. The surgery need to be done It will not go away. Did they confirm it with a xray? I hope this help you good luck
B
al mc
Active Member
Other posters have brought up good information.
There are lots of things to consider at SCSI brought up.....
1. Age of patient
2. Is he overweight for his breed?
3. Do you have the money to get the surgery done correctly?
4. How active is he/what is his 'job'.
If you have an older (10 and above) small breed couch potato then I would encourage medical management.....antiinflammatories, glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate and leash walks (controlled exercise) for 4-6 weeks...swimming is agreat non weight bearing activity....
If you have a young active/athletic dog and have the funds to support a $1500 surgery then I would suggest surgery.
Note: While surgery does not have to be done immediately you will have a better outcome if you do it sooner than later as the meniscus and cartilage will get damaged further the longer you wait
We do an average of 2-3/week at my practice. There are several accepted repair techniques. If you can swing the cost I would suggest having someone do it that is either an ortho specialist or a general practitioner than does at least several a month.
There are lots of things to consider at SCSI brought up.....
1. Age of patient
2. Is he overweight for his breed?
3. Do you have the money to get the surgery done correctly?
4. How active is he/what is his 'job'.
If you have an older (10 and above) small breed couch potato then I would encourage medical management.....antiinflammatories, glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate and leash walks (controlled exercise) for 4-6 weeks...swimming is agreat non weight bearing activity....
If you have a young active/athletic dog and have the funds to support a $1500 surgery then I would suggest surgery.
Note: While surgery does not have to be done immediately you will have a better outcome if you do it sooner than later as the meniscus and cartilage will get damaged further the longer you wait
We do an average of 2-3/week at my practice. There are several accepted repair techniques. If you can swing the cost I would suggest having someone do it that is either an ortho specialist or a general practitioner than does at least several a month.
keri
Active Member
Gahh, I feel your pain - I'm waiting for my dog to tear his cruciate (I just know it's going to happen, he's a genetic disaster, and fat and a total wingnut)
We do quite a few cruciate repairs at my clinic, using either the T.T.A (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) or the T.P.L.O (Tibeal Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) method, depending on the case.
Yes, it's very costly and I understand many people can't afford it (I honestly wouldn't be able to without my staff discount) but it Is the dog's best option long term....Depending on the factors other people have listed above. The longer you wait the more arthritis the dog will develop which in most cases shortens the dogs life because an immobile dog is often a euthanised dog
Has your doctor given you an idea of how bad it is? Some partial tears can be "managed" with strict rest, leash walks only and medications, but the liklihood of it getting worse, or the other knee blowing is unfortunately fairly good. I hope everything turns out ok for you and if you opt for surgery and have a good vet you should be pleased.
We do quite a few cruciate repairs at my clinic, using either the T.T.A (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) or the T.P.L.O (Tibeal Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) method, depending on the case.
Yes, it's very costly and I understand many people can't afford it (I honestly wouldn't be able to without my staff discount) but it Is the dog's best option long term....Depending on the factors other people have listed above. The longer you wait the more arthritis the dog will develop which in most cases shortens the dogs life because an immobile dog is often a euthanised dog
Has your doctor given you an idea of how bad it is? Some partial tears can be "managed" with strict rest, leash walks only and medications, but the liklihood of it getting worse, or the other knee blowing is unfortunately fairly good. I hope everything turns out ok for you and if you opt for surgery and have a good vet you should be pleased.