Dog needs surgery for a torn ACL
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Anonymous
| Thank you for all of the information. I checked out many vets, and even considered going up to Richmond or Newport News (there is a Dr. through Banfield (petsmart) who does them and I was quoted between $1,500-1,700. ) We ultimately decided to go with our vet, who is an ortho and been doing this for over 40 years, even though he is more expensive $2,500. To have to put out this much money sucks, but they are 10 minutes down the road and the price also included 3 post op appt. with injections of vitamins to help the healing process. My biggest worry now is that our dog (who we just rescued in Dec.), is a boxer mix and only a year old, will not be a good patient during recovery. He has the Boxer energy, and even though he has been on sedatives while waiting for surgery, he still chases my 2 cats every chance he gets! I am wondering how to keep him calm and low energy....don't want him to rip the wire or tear the other acl...... |
Anonymous
Did you do TPLO? |
Anonymous
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CCVR in Columbia and Annapolis does this surgery. They are great. Yes, it was 3500. Yes, pets are expensive.
I am out about 17 k over the last three years...surgery, dental surgery, shots, allergies, stomach obstruction, ear infections. 2 dogs. |
Anonymous
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HELP!!! 20 lb. 15 Year Old Poodle.
Aug. 2019. Limping all summer. The place in Richmond who only does Torn ACL is Good??? Every Vet comes In at $2,500 to $4,000. This Is Veterinary Racketeering! Any Suggestions? |
Anonymous
Poodle is already at the upper end of his/her lifespan. I wouldn't waste the money. Just rest and manage pain. |
Anonymous
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As some one in the industry...generally you get what you pay for.. you are paying for a board certified surgeon who probably does a ton of ACL repairs, qualified
Technicians and monitoring equipment for your animal while they are under anesthesia, round the clock post op monitoring and care, rehab therapy.... It’s really bothersome folks thing vets are rolling in the clinics in porches, after a vacation in the Mrs on a private yacht. I assure you most aren’t... most are busting their butts to make sure employees are paid, rent is paid and their patients have good outcomes and are returned to Their owners happy and healthy. |
Anonymous
+1. Try laser pain management. Is the ACL completely torn or is it a partial tear? I lived with a partial tear for more than 20 years before I finally ended up having surgery to fix it. When I went to the ortho with knee pain, he said I presented more like a meniscus tear than an ACL because my body had adapted to it for so long. He was surprised to see the MRI results and had been a ortho and Redskins team doc for more than 30 years. It's manageable if it's a partial tear. |
Anonymous
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Bumping this to get more information. My 5 year old small dog has torn ACL and Veterinary Referral Hospital in Gaithersburg recommended surgery.
No xrays were taken. Has anyone used this hospital for this service and have any feedback? I really am wiling to spend the 5K they quoted me, but I'm worried that risking a surgery when rest might also work seems extreme. Would love feedback on doing versus not doing surgery and also on this particular hospital. TIA. |
Anonymous
| Rest will not work, the injury will not heal without surgery. My dog had this two years ago, but we had xrays taken and were provided with multiple options of how to fix the issue. I'd get a second opinion and x-rays. |
Anonymous
| I’d get a 2nd opinion from a specialist and get treatment from the top vet/surgeon. My sister has a Weimaraner who tore her ACL. She went with the cheaper vet and ended up spending 5k more to fix issues created by the vet. |
Anonymous
| Take the dog to Virginia Tech Vet School Teaching Clinic if you can for a second opinion. They have no incentive to sell you an unnecessary surgery because they are students who are learning and if the dog does need the surgery it's usually a little cheaper. |
Anonymous
Let the specialists take x-rays. They have to hold the dog in a funny position with their leg sticking out back to get a good look. The test for a torn canine cruciate ligament is that the move the lower leg of the dog forward and the knee joint slides. It's hard to do because often the dog is in pain and won't let you. For my dog it was very clear there was something wrong. My dog was in pain (but weight bearing). My friend with a smaller dog had a external capsular thing done where they repaired the ligament. It was <2000 dollars and it lasted 7 years- the dog was <20ish lbs. My dog is 40lbs and active and had a TPLO. I got my dog evaluated at two different vets (VOSM in md and Virginia Vet Specialists in Charlottesville) as well as at two different vets - I moved in the middle of this. All agreed dog needed the surgery. It wasn't cheap but I'm glad I did it (I went with Virginia Vet Specialists). They also did baseline x-rays on dog's other leg. 18 months later she had to have the other one done. I could see the deterioration on the x-ray and she was back in obvious pain. Anyways I'm happy I did it. I think it depends on your dog's size, activity and pain level. |
Anonymous
| My dog morning my dog woke and couldn't walk. The night before she was just fine - including a usual long walk. The vet examined my dog, flexing the legs etc and suggested she had two torn ACLs. That made absolutely no sense since she was fine the night before. I asked for a Lyme's test. He was skeptical but did the test. Needless to say. She had Lymes - not two torn ACLs. |
Anonymous
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I am PP
I meant to say; My dog woke up one morning and couldn't walk. |
Anonymous
Wait..you still make your dog wear an e-collar when recovering from surgery? You shock her???? |