Dog torn ACL

[Nojoy621]

So just got back from the vet and my 2 1/2 year old lab torn his ACL. The vet wants ~$4500 for the surgery which from what I understand almost always leads to the other knee needing surgery.

Has anyone experienced this in a dog before and have any non surgical suggestions?

Or, have you gotten the surgery done and had good results?

Any kind of suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


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[rkwhyte2]

Ouch that is pricey. How close you to Purdue campus? The Vet school there may be able to save you quite a bit of money on the surgery.

 

[Nojoy621]

Ouch that is pricey. How close you to Purdue campus? The Vet school there may be able to save you quite a bit of money on the surgery.

They are only about an hour away, i may have to reach out and give them a call. That’s a great idea, thank you!


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[KMaC]

Same thread on here several times. Search "dog needs surgery" to get the threads.
Here's a link to one that has several testimonials as to the effectiveness of the surgery. Good luck, I hope he recovers, whatever you decide.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/break-room/430555-our-dog-tore-her-acl.html

 

[Ski]

Definitely check around. I had my vet do mine both times because I felt obligated to use him. You may find a specialist is cheaper. Also do some reading at the link below. They have free rehab guides for the various types of surgeries.

https://www.topdoghealth.com/

 

[avboiler11]

My 10 year old lab (small male, 55lb fully grown) got TPLO surgery on his left CCL last year, it ended up being pretty close to OP's quote by the time we were out the door.

Doc did say in the wild, a dog would adapt and the injury would eventually heal in some fashion...or the injured dog would be eaten. Since being eaten probably isn't a possibility for a pet, he said it was more a matter of pain management, mobility, and our desire to pay for an expensive procedure but that surgery was NOT "required".

A lot of money yes, but he isn't just "a dog" but rather a family member.

He now rips and runs through the woods as much as any nearly 11 year old lab can, and so far hasn't damaged the other leg.

 

[femurphy77]

A co worker took his Rotty in for an ACL last year. It's just like two legged surgery with the PT afterwards with no complications and full recovery afterwards. Yes it's "just a dog" but having recently spent almost as much on a 12 year old lab I understand that yes they ARE family.

 

[bkflyer]

Unfortunately, I am in the same boat with my 9 year old Bulldog. I think we are going to try the water PT first. I have heard the surgery is not that bad but the post op stuff(keeping the dog quiet for 2 months) is a pain for you and the dog.

 

[bwframe]

Do they sell K-9 health insurance to offset the expensive surgeries?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Do they sell K-9 health insurance to offset the expensive surgeries?

They do indeed.

https://www.progressive.com/pet-insurance/

https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/

https://www.consumersadvocate.org/pet-insurance

 

[bwframe]

Wow, Progressive advertises "just a dollar a day."

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Wow, Progressive advertises "just a dollar a day."

That last link has 10 different companies so you can comparison shop too.

 

[IndyIN]

My 55lbs 10 year old Lab has knee surgery recently and we are about 2 weeks post op.

I had a a very candid conversation with my specialist about the need vs. doing it because they can. Her response was if you can afford the procedure it will be the best outcome. You are almost guaranteed issues in the other knee and hips due to compensating for the injury.

I hated spending the money, and I suspect that is what has you on the fence (as it should). For us, the tipping point was the success rate and the lack of existing cartilage damage. Our Lab should be back in great shape at the end of this, which made the choice a bit easier to swallow.

 

[Nojoy621]

Thanks for all the replies! While the cost is certainly a kick in the nuts, it’s not the end of the world, it’s just money and the puppers is family. I was more concerned about quality of life afterwards and it seems like with a strict recover (I don’t know how to keep a 2 year old lab calm!!) he should be ok. Maybe I’ll build him one of those carts on wheels so he doesn’t have to use his back legs during recovery haha!


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[avboiler11]

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-dog-exercise-pen-step-through/dp/125051

We bought one of these to keep our lab contained during his recovery, and put it in the family room so he’d not be totally isolated.

 

[IndyBeerman]

So just got back from the vet and my 2 1/2 year old lab torn his ACL. The vet wants ~$4500 for the surgery which from what I understand almost always leads to the other knee needing surgery.

Has anyone experienced this in a dog before and have any non surgical suggestions?

Or, have you gotten the surgery done and had good results?

Any kind of suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


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St. Francis Pet Hospital, Mooresville, ask to talk to Dr. Bob.

It's been 9 years, but our late BC mix had both repaired in back to years and late Australian Cattle Dog had his 3 years previously before his passing.

Was very affordable 1000 to 1100 range if I remember correctly and he is a EXCELLENT surgeon.

If you decide to go to him, PM me and I'll let you know my name so you can tell him I referred you. I take my 9 year old BC Mix and 5.5 year old Golden Retriever there.

 

[OakRiver]

One of our dogs had her ACL tear repaired in 2011, and after surgery she recovered and lived a happy life for another 6 years, until she passed at 15.

 

[10mmMarc]

I've had 2 dogs go through it, a rottweiler and a boxer , rotty ended up tearing her other one by favoring the first surgery, and the boxer did just fine no problems, but the amount you were quoted seems high, I dealt with a vet in Anderson for the rotty named Dr.Lee , and the boxer I dealt with Franklin Animal clinic , neither of them cost more than $3,000 , so I'd call around and check prices , Dr.Lee is very well known for his surgeries and Franklin sent me there, now Dr. Andrew Mills in Franklin is doing his own surgeries and he is very good at what he does.