Dog Has Torn ACL, Needs Surgery....... Who's Been Through It?

[Chooglin]

Well, today is the big day. Please wish us luck !!

Good luck and I hope he/she has a quick recovery.

 

[Dirtball]

Keep her quiet with something like diphenhydramine ( ask your vet ) for a couple weeks so it heals AND so she doesn't tear the other knee. Good for you she's not a Large breed like mine 200#, they tend to tear the other ACL while recovering from the first. I kept mine real sedated and on the leash for a while. I feel your love for your dog. If only people could have their dispositions.

 

[Reverendbiker]

I'm choking on some of these prices. Our black lab had ACL surgery on both rear legs--two years apart. Outcome was amazing, with the old girl restored to almost full function. Our country vet told us that most places would charge over $1500, but the surgery wasn't difficult at all and he charged us $350. I promised my wife that I was going to Dr. Chenault if I ever needed surgery

My No. 1 black lab had this done 3 weeks ago. He's just now getting to put some weight on it. This is right on schedule, according to the medical information kit provided. (See attached). He's almost 11 and quite the jumper for a frisbee. Doing this while cornering was his downfall. At this point, his mobility is about the same as it was before he went in. What's amazing is that his 3 other hunting buddies know something is amiss and have given him some sympathy, some room and some protection.

This is the second dog of mine to have it done. First was on a pup I rescued 15 years ago that recovered as good as new.

$1800. Worth every penny of it in my book.

 

[Ductape]

Just an update for anyone facing this with their dog. Monday will be two weeks since the surgery. Max had his staples and stitches removed yesterday and recived high marks from his doctor. For the first couple days my wife and I both felt we had made a terrible mistake opting for the surgery. My dog was terribly lethargic and literally couldn't hobble around the neighborhood. He couldn't even squat to poop. By the fourth day he was starting to put weight on, and walk slowly on his leg. He still limps some, but doc thinks he should be 100% in a reasonable amount of time. Each day he is putting more weight on it, and even sprints on it occaisionally (OK'd by the doctor). Right now it appears we made the right decision to have the surgery........ absolutely no regrets on spending the money.

 

[studor]

Good to hear he is doing well -- our old Lab used to take a couple of days to recover from any trip to the vet that required any kind of sedation (and that was quite a few!). They always seem to bounce back after a week or so. I am sure you will not regret doing it for him in the long run.