Dogs & ACL surgery

Options
Wen37
Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
in Chit-Chat
Hi everyone! Need some advice. My dog has ruputured her ACL. The Vet says she needs surgery to repair it. I'm really worried about this because #1 she does not do well with anesthesia. They had to revive her when we got her fixed and the Vet said it was touch and go. Scary!! #2 She has seizures and is on a lot of meds to keep them under control. I'm really worried she would not survive the surgery.

So, my question to you is. Does anyone have dogs that have ruputured their ACL and healed on their own? She is a medium size Husky. She weighs about 38 lbs. I saw some stories on the internet about small breed dogs healing on their own. I'm scared for her and just don't know what to do. Thanks for any advice.
«1

Replies

  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Options
    I'm a fellow dog owner so I can sympathise. From what I understand is that if you're dog is over 30lbs it's better for him to have surgery.


    Dogs less than 33 lbs (15 kg) may be treated conservatively as outpatients; 65 percent improve or are normal within six months
    Dogs greater than 33 lbs (15 kg) should be treated with stabilization surgery; only 20 percent improve or are normal within six months with conservative medical management
    Following surgery, the use of ice packs and physical therapy (such as range-of-motion exercises, massage, and electrical muscle stimulation) are important for improvement
    Weight control is an important component for decreasing stress on the stifle joint
    Stabilization surgery is recommended for all dogs, as it speeds the rate of recovery, reduces joint degeneration, and enhances function


    Also this site may be of interest to you.

    http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-health/is-surgery-the-answer-for-acl-injuries.aspx
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    Options
    A good friend had a golden retriever that tore it's ACL in both back legs. It had Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy on both legs and had an amazing recovery. You would never know that it had the surgery done.

    http://www.tploguide.com/tplo-surgery.php
  • mmm_drop
    mmm_drop Posts: 1,126 Member
    Options
    Hi, I have a 85lb german shepherd/border collie mix who had this injury about two years ago. My vet said we could either do surgery or I could limit his mobility for 6 months to a year and it would heal on its own. I'm happy to say the vet was right! It was hard to keep Cooper from playing like he wanted to, but after about 6-7 months he was finally walking without a limp. He is totally healthy now and we have been enjoying our daily walks and hikes together once again.

    I will add that I did put him on glucosamine supplements because he also has hip dysplasia and he seems to be doing EVEN better! So, yes, it is possible, but you really have to limit their mobility in order for them to recover.
  • woofers1803
    woofers1803 Posts: 23
    Options
    My dog had ruptured her ACL about 2 years ago, and she had to have the surgery due to the severity of the injury. She hasn't had issues with anesthesia in the past, and didn't have any with this surgery either. Mine was 33 lbs, so right on the line for whether rest would heal it enough or not. Once they put her back together, we have worked hard to get her weight down to ideal, and at 28.5 lbs she hasn't had any issues post op.

    If your pup can handle the surgery, it definitely did improve the quality of life for mine. Our vet said it was up to us, but that she would most likely have a permanent limp and joint pain if we didn't go ahead and have them reconstruct the tendon. Ironically I've had the same surgery, and she definitely recovered faster than I did!

    Good luck, and always ask for a second opinion if you are unsure. Different vets will give you different answers. I've even heard of vets saying to put down a dog with a blown ACL... not a chance I would listen to that garbage! Make sure you get the best solution for you and your fuzzy baby, whatever it may be.
  • katy84o
    katy84o Posts: 744 Member
    Options
    I really do understand your concern. Did you speak to the vet about what happened last time and if there are any other options?
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,229 Member
    Options
    I don't know about dogs. But I blew out my ACL and PCL a few years ago when I didn't have any insurance. I didn't get the surgery, but I couldn't walk on it for a long time. Also, I had to do some exercises to get the full range of motion back. And I still ended up with arthritis.

    Ask yourself this:

    A. Can you keep this dog from walking on it while it heals?
    B. Can you do some kind of PT exercises with the dog once it does heal?
    C. Are you prepared for your dog to develop arthritis?

    Hope this helps.
  • XFitMojoMom
    XFitMojoMom Posts: 3,255 Member
    Options
    I just went through this. My JRT blew out her knee and we did opt for surgery. We should never have done it.
    HELL
    She went in December 27th. She got her bandages off last week. :grumble:

    To stabilize the leg after the surgery they put her in a cast for almost 2 months. During that time she developed a sore under the cast because the cast was too heavy for her little leg and would rub. She had to be hospitalized for 3 days until the swelling went down and then stitched up again.

    oh, and she has managed to fracture the plate in her leg too. So now I have to crate her all the time. She's not allowed to go in the yard on her own anymore :brokenheart:
  • tasharock
    tasharock Posts: 136 Member
    Options
    Look into prolotherapy - may be difficult to find a practitioner - We have one in the OKC metro area. Worked wonders for my terrier's luxating patellas.
  • jls341
    jls341 Posts: 30 Member
    Options
    I was told I didn't need to get my dog's ACLs (she tore both) repaired so we did conservative management instead. She was fine until a few years later when she developed severe arthritis in both knees. A different vet has since told me surgery should always be done but now it's too late for her. My dog weighs 57 lbs.
  • blinker86
    blinker86 Posts: 104 Member
    Options
    My 25 pound Corgi had the TPLO surgery done. We weighed all the options and ultimately decided to proceed with the surgery after 3 or so months of no improvement. The surgery was a breeze, and as far as I can tell, she is back to 100% functioning of the leg. If I were in your situation, I would certainly discuss all options with both your regular vet and a specialist. I can understand your hesitation, especially with the possible risks. If your dog is ultimately able to have the surgery done, I would definitely recommend it.
  • DaisyDi65
    DaisyDi65 Posts: 70 Member
    Options
    My seven year old lab mix has a torn ACL. She puts minimal weight on it and has restricted her self in some movement. She rarely jumps on the couch and other furniture. She will be having the TBLO (I think this one) next Thursday.
    For the issues with your pup, I would talk to the vet to understand what the additional risks may be. I hate putting Bailey under, but she loves to run the yard and play with her sister dog. She weighs about 45 pounds.
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    Options
    I haven't read the other replies, but, have experience with our Husky cross who had a complete tear of of ACL 4 winters ago.

    She is a little bit bigger than your dog, at 50 lbs.

    When your vet checked your dog's joint, they would have performed a simple test of the joint to determine the mobility and severity of the tear. (I believe this is referred to as the drawer hinge test, but I'm not 100%). Anyway, our dog had zero mobility, a complete tear and she required surgery which essentially used a synthetic ligament and a pin or two in the joint to wrap the new ligament around.

    A complete tear will not heal on it's own. Partial tear may get better on it's own, but with bigger dogs, who can also be prone to hip displacia etc. I wouldn't take that chance.

    Be sure to ask the vet who will be doing the surgery how they "tie off" the new ligament. Some do a tie off of sorts and others will do a suture. Our dog had to go back in for surgery a second time because the original sutured ligament didn't hold and she was back to square one.

    Also, this surgery is NOT cheap (at least it wasn't here). We really questioned whether we would have it done, because for us, despite how wonderful our dog is, it was at a time where we needed to be very diligent with our money and we had to consider the risks etc. given our dogs age.
  • Wen37
    Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
    Options
    This is encouraging. Thanks!!
    Hi, I have a 85lb german shepherd/border collie mix who had this injury about two years ago. My vet said we could either do surgery or I could limit his mobility for 6 months to a year and it would heal on its own. I'm happy to say the vet was right! It was hard to keep Cooper from playing like he wanted to, but after about 6-7 months he was finally walking without a limp. He is totally healthy now and we have been enjoying our daily walks and hikes together once again.

    I will add that I did put him on glucosamine supplements because he also has hip dysplasia and he seems to be doing EVEN better! So, yes, it is possible, but you really have to limit their mobility in order for them to recover.
  • Wen37
    Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
    Options
    Thanks for replying and I think a second opinion is a good idea.
    My dog had ruptured her ACL about 2 years ago, and she had to have the surgery due to the severity of the injury. She hasn't had issues with anesthesia in the past, and didn't have any with this surgery either. Mine was 33 lbs, so right on the line for whether rest would heal it enough or not. Once they put her back together, we have worked hard to get her weight down to ideal, and at 28.5 lbs she hasn't had any issues post op.

    If your pup can handle the surgery, it definitely did improve the quality of life for mine. Our vet said it was up to us, but that she would most likely have a permanent limp and joint pain if we didn't go ahead and have them reconstruct the tendon. Ironically I've had the same surgery, and she definitely recovered faster than I did!

    Good luck, and always ask for a second opinion if you are unsure. Different vets will give you different answers. I've even heard of vets saying to put down a dog with a blown ACL... not a chance I would listen to that garbage! Make sure you get the best solution for you and your fuzzy baby, whatever it may be.
  • Wen37
    Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
    Options
    @katy840 Yes. I expressed my concerns to the Vet and they did remember her last experience. He said he would use a different drug on her this time that would knock her out faster and she would come out of it faster.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,229 Member
    Options
    To be honest, I'm not entirely certain that surgery will help your dog avoid arthritis. I think that may be inevitable.
  • Wen37
    Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
    Options
    I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope she will fully recover soon :heart:
    I just went through this. My JRT blew out her knee and we did opt for surgery. We should never have done it.
    HELL
    She went in December 27th. She got her bandages off last week. :grumble:

    To stabilize the leg after the surgery they put her in a cast for almost 2 months. During that time she developed a sore under the cast because the cast was too heavy for her little leg and would rub. She had to be hospitalized for 3 days until the swelling went down and then stitched up again.

    oh, and she has managed to fracture the plate in her leg too. So now I have to crate her all the time. She's not allowed to go in the yard on her own anymore :brokenheart:
  • Wen37
    Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
    Options
    Thanks for all this info. I will def ask how they will tie it off. The Vet said we had 2 options on the surgery. We could get it done with them and it would cost $1800 or done with a specialist for $2500. I know what you mean about the money. Her seizures meds are expensive and now this. But I am more concerned about her safety. If the surgery is her best option than I will find away to cough it up. She is my baby and best friend. I guess no more toys for the dogs and us humans for a while :)
    I haven't read the other replies, but, have experience with our Husky cross who had a complete tear of of ACL 4 winters ago.

    She is a little bit bigger than your dog, at 50 lbs.

    When your vet checked your dog's joint, they would have performed a simple test of the joint to determine the mobility and severity of the tear. (I believe this is referred to as the drawer hinge test, but I'm not 100%). Anyway, our dog had zero mobility, a complete tear and she required surgery which essentially used a synthetic ligament and a pin or two in the joint to wrap the new ligament around.

    A complete tear will not heal on it's own. Partial tear may get better on it's own, but with bigger dogs, who can also be prone to hip displacia etc. I wouldn't take that chance.

    Be sure to ask the vet who will be doing the surgery how they "tie off" the new ligament. Some do a tie off of sorts and others will do a suture. Our dog had to go back in for surgery a second time because the original sutured ligament didn't hold and she was back to square one.

    Also, this surgery is NOT cheap (at least it wasn't here). We really questioned whether we would have it done, because for us, despite how wonderful our dog is, it was at a time where we needed to be very diligent with our money and we had to consider the risks etc. given our dogs age.
  • Wen37
    Wen37 Posts: 218 Member
    Options
    Yeah all the reading I have been doing has said that she will probably have arthritis either way. Poor thing.
    To be honest, I'm not entirely certain that surgery will help your dog avoid arthritis. I think that may be inevitable.
  • JoyceJoanne
    JoyceJoanne Posts: 760 Member
    Options
    Find a good vet. Explain all of the issues. This is not the surgery that you want to find the "cheapest" vet. Arthritis is pretty much inevitable in the long haul but the surgery would prolong its happening. Plus the healing process would be easier/better after the surg. And yes, using a different, more sensitive anesthesia makes a difference.
    Good luck.

Categories