Torn ACL

Jason Waterhouse · Post by **Jason Waterhouse** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:45 pm

My dog clover who i just had a litter with has recently started limpin last couple of weeks.I brought her to a vet on friday vet says its a torn acl in back leg.Cant figure out how it was torn vet says it happened within last 3 weeks.vet says could of just slipped on ice. Anybody have this happen to there dog my vet says it will cost at least $1500 to fix she will be good as new after surgery.She says i could wait and see what happens but she is 99 percent sure she needs the surgery. any thoughts?

moneydog · Post by **moneydog** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:06 am

I'd get a second opinion!! There is a pretty good vet over here. Don't know how sharp she is on that but a lot cheaper then anyone else. Just took my dog there. Animal Doctor in Newport Center. I think she also has an office over your way too

MKT · Post by **MKT** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:19 pm

You get what you pay for!! The rehab is really important!!!! Good Luck.

Jason Waterhouse · Post by **Jason Waterhouse** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:45 pm

ok thanks for info john

kdrchuck · Post by **kdrchuck** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:14 am

My boxer is scheduled for ACL surgery on the 20th. My vet told me that it is a degenerative injury in dogs. Not an acute one like in people. I trust my vet, he is good. He's fixing it for $700. There are 2 procedures both are good, one is expected to have better long term outcomes. The first, oldest and least expensive is simply creating a new ACL out of fishing line. 4-6 wk recovery. This is most like the human procedure. WHere they use a peice of hamstring or patellar tendon to make a new ACL. The second is newer and is said to be the better. It is also at least double the cost. This also requires a longer recovery and for me it would require a trip to UVA. The procedure requires them to split the tibia and insertt a titanium plate which offsets the patellar tendon to stabilize the knee. Much more invasive and longer recovery. You can talk to your vet about both of them. I chose the first, for cost and convenience. It just seems like the right way to fix it to me. If it were a hound of mine, i think i would make the same decision. mainly because of a shorter, and less rest intense recovery.