Torn ACL in dogs...anyone with experience?

Its possible that my dog might have a small tear in her ACL. The vet obviously said that surgery is needed if it is, in fact, a tear. We will find that out on Thursday after her xray.

The vet said that either surgery is needed or she can just be on pain management for the rest of her life, but will most likely get arthritis and have a limp if we don't opt for surgery.

Im not sure what to do since she is 10. Part of me wants to get the surgery done because she is a very active and lively 10 year old and her quality of life is good right now, despite having a thyroid condition. It just costs so much to have the surgery.

Any BTDT fur parents' opinion are welcome.

Re: Torn ACL in dogs...anyone with experience?

What kind of dog is she? Big or small? That can make a difference with healing time because of weight of pressure on ACL.

My rottie tore her right ACL when she was 2. We went right for surgery because 1. She is a large breed and 2. She was only 2 years old. Dr. told us that when a dog tears their ACL, within a year, the other will go as well. And unfortunately, they were right. She tore her left just 6 months later. And we had that surgery done as well.

In that time frame, my min pin broke his front leg in half during playtime outside with my rottie. Dr. said they could set it with a cast and with rehab etc etc etc, he would heal but may have early arthritis - but recommended the surgery bc of his age (4). So we had a plate and screws put in.

Both of my dogs are doing very well. Little one has no lasting effects from it. The rottie though... when we take long walks, her back legs wobble a bit and you can see that she's sore for a few days after.

It was a VERY expensive year (and we were in the process of saving for our wedding)

If shes a large dog and it seems she still has quite a few years of spunk left in her, you should probably go ahead with the surgery. But just beware, the other may go soon too. Keep her from jumping off anything high up.

Good Luck

Re: Torn ACL in dogs...anyone with experience?

Sorry to hear that your dog torn her ACL. Hope you get good news today.

Our lab had the same problem a few years ago.....we opted for pain management (which was only for a few months), no excessive running or jumping, no more stairs, glucosamine and fish oil pills 2x a day. He is doing great, has had no further problems and he still runs around the yard alot, playing with his football
If you need a second opinion.....
We take our dogs to Dr. Terry's Animal Hospital in RVC. We only see Dr. Paul Perrier.

Message edited 7/23/2015 11:35:11 AM.

Torn ACL in dogs...anyone with experience?

Thanks for your replies. Not only does she have a small tear in her ACL, but today we found out that she has severe hip dysplasia in both hips.

The vet said no to surgery right now since is a small tear. We was so surprised that Missy is still walking and jumping with how bad her hips are.

Re: Torn ACL in dogs...anyone with experience?

My husky yore her ACL when she was about 12. The vet recommended that I skip the surgery since the recovery time is very long. She said to keep her off stairs for a while and eventually she would build scar tissue around it and be better. Within a month she was running around again. She was fine for a long while. But as she really started aging, her back legs would give out on her. :( but she was close to 15 when we finally had to put her down.