ACL Surgery on dogs

[trkykilr]

My 6 year old lab, Doc, has a partial tear of his ACL. He is very well trained by Rhett Riddle, and still has plenty of good years left in him. He doesn’t appear to be, or act like he is in any pain at all. He simply puts less weight on it after he hunts and into the next day.

The surgeon vet in Columbia has said it is our call as to whether we do the surgery to repair it, or leave it as is, and deal with some arthritis down the road. 10 week recovery after surgery. I’m looking for people that have had this surgery done to their dogs and the results, especially as it pertains to performance. Is the surgery and recovery worth putting the dog through it?

My lab in high school had the same procedure at 7, and never really got back to full steam, but that was 30 years ago. I am sure the procedure has come a long way.

[Buckin Bronco]

An alternative view point


My wife’s dog (7yo) tore her ACL in August. Spoke with a friend who is a vet to get a non biased opinion. He said if she hunts and lives an active lifestyle go ahead and get it done and the recuperation will be kennel bound for 10-12 weeks. If she doesn’t get it done, still keep her in her kennel for that amount of time so she can build up scar tissue. She won’t be 100% but she’ll be better than letting her run loose.

My wife opted to not do surgery and also opted not to listen to the advice of the vet and you can tell she is not fully healed. She can’t play with the ball, can’t go on long walks. But hey not my dog.

Long story short, if you don’t do the surgery, listen to the vet about keeping the dog crated for 10-12 weeks.

[Glenn]

Get the TPLO done asap.

The other side has >70% chance of going in the next 12-18 months.

[centurian]

Brother had it done for his german sheppard. Seems to have worked i dont know if as good as new. With people it is never as good as new. keeping them at ease and subdued is the biggerst problem.

[ChickenFlip]

Get the TPLO done asap.

The other side has >70% chance of going in the next 12-18 months.

x2.

My dog torn one and started favoring the opposite leg before he could get surgery. It wasn't long before he torn the other. Also, as far as recovery goes, they will not do both at one time (at least my vet recommended against it), they will let one recover then do the other.

[AnythingFeathers]

The only Vet on here answered. Listen to him

[AH HOLY]

Get the TPLO done asap.

The other side has >70% chance of going in the next 12-18 months.

Came here to say this. I believe Cvets or Capital animal hospital would be your best bets in Columbia.

[MolliesMaster]

The other side has >70% chance of going in the next 12-18 months.

This is the stat that blows my mind.


Go ahead and start setting aside some money for the next one.

[Glenn]

The only Vet on here answered. Listen to him

There are a few others on here. They're just smarter than me and don't let people know that they are.

[trkykilr]

The only Vet on here answered. Listen to him

He texted me. Luckily, I sleep with my phone by my bed

[Highstrung]

I had one done on my old chocolate, do it. Mine was close to 10.. he hunted 4 more years, picking hunts, and had a great retirement year. I owed it to him.