<p>Hi,
Our dear 11+yo large lab mix 95#, has ACL rupture(per the regular vet). He also has elbows that are so bad surgery is not an option (when it was discovered his x-ray was worse than the vet poster), hip displasia, hx of gi problems which required great specialists and high dose steroids for several months. He has a consult with a specialist later this week. He is full of life and is actually doing well with the bumb knee. The elbows are treated with a non-steroidal and glucosamine. I cannot see him going through the trauma and pain of surgery. We cannot leave him alone during the 15 day rehab and I can’t take him to work. I am willing to do physical tx, braces, etc. He is not in pain, we experienced “his” pain when elbow problem was discovered. Anyone have success with options? Questions to ask the surgeon? He was a lab rescue reject (not pure lab) that we adopted 10+ years ago. I often wonder if the original owners gave him up because they knew of the elbow and hip problems.</p>
<p>My brother’s lab had hip replacement done and did very well. I’m not sure what they did during the rehab time as both he and wife worked–I believe they used crate during the day. She (the lab) had gotten so bad that she could not go up and down steps–after surgery, she was so much better. I believe that she was about 8 when she had the surgery.</p>
<p>Can’t help you with nonsurgical options, but our dog also blew out his ACL. He had the surgery and recovered just fine. After a couple of months he was as good as new. However, I was $1000 lighter.</p>
<p>oh shi&!
I have a 12 1/2yr old lab- whois fairly active- she is on glucosamine and meds for thyroid
but I don’t want to have to take her in for surgery
what did they do to rip their ACL?
A shootout on the pitch?</p>
<p>3 1/2 year old Golden Retriever is about to have ACL repair. Not sure how it happened- may have been during a rabbit chase (he’s slow) or may have just come on gradually. He is a big guy (120 pounds). He is having trouble with the steps and really limping. Surgical consult is Monday with surgery probably Tuesday. Preliminary estimate is over $2000. At least Wild Child’s knee surgery was covered by insurance. I wish I had gotten pet insurance. I’m dreading the recovery period. I will be at work and H will have to deal with our canine child. I actually got a brochure for a pet massage service that supposedly really helps during the rehab. What next???</p>
<p>so I am thinking that this is perhaps something the really big dogs are prone to? mine is stocky- but she is 72lbs </p>
<p>momofwildchild-
all our pets get one big surgery
the oldest cat got one big surgery ( laser for a sarcoma on her nose) plus years of subQ fluids and medicines
the next cat unfortunately died before she got to benefit from that
and the doggie- hasn’t really had a lot of expensive things yet
( she has had to go to the vet quite a bit in her younger days- because she is a lab- and would eat things that weren’t edible- but she hasn’t had any lasting ramifications)</p>
<p>maybe you can give him doggie drugs and he will just sleep until it is healed?</p>
<p>^^Not just big dogs. Our ACL dog was a little miniature pinscher. He blew out his ACL just playing a mild game of tug-of-war with my daughter. He was tugging on his end of the towel when he suddenly gave a big yelp and started limping.</p>
<p>Awww, LAMom! Hugs to you and your puppy. That’s tough.</p>
<p>The one thing I can suggest is that you try to hire someone for the recuperation period. If you can manage it over a winter break, a local college student might be happy to puppy-sit and earn some extra cash.</p>
<p>thanks for the warning coureur
my H plays tug of war with our dog, even though I don’t like it- I will add this to my reasons why!</p>
<p>Thanks all,
We don’t know how he did it. He seems to think he is a puppy, not a senior. Probably running in the back yard, or running down stairs. He has so many other problems but such great spirit. Eval is this week. Aries-husband joked about calling the local visiting nurses. I am going to ask the doctor about physical therapy and massage availability.</p>
<p>Lamom, My dog had ACL surgery 2 l/2 yrs ago, and it gave him back his life. Conservative management is the nonsurgical way of dealing with a torn ACL. Basically you rehab the dog exactly the same as if they had had the surgery. It is a 4 month rehab program. You can leave your dog alone, but you have to make sure the environment is a safe one. Many put their dogs in xpens (ours was in our family room) when they can’t be with them. You need it to be just big enough for the dog to stand and move around a little. There are 3 types of surgery that I know of: traditional (replace the torn ACL with some kind of fishing line or wire), TPLO (they cut a bone and put it back together with a plate and screws so you don’t need an ACL), and a TTA (which is the newest surgery and fortunately I haven’t had to keep up, so I don’t know much about it.) No right or wrong answers as to what to do. I was so upset, and the best place I found on the web for answers was a yahoo group: <a href=“http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/?yguid=126085343[/url]”>http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/?yguid=126085343</a>
My dog had never been on a leash, and I couldn’t imagine having him restricted for 4 months. Let me tell you, they adapt to it easier than we do. For those 4 months, I have gotten to watch my boy run like the wind for 24 months now. It is a hard 4 months, but well worth it. Good luck to you and your boy. If I can of any help, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone,
Had the eval today. It was so touching to see so many dogs and parents. It might have been chemo day, lots of chemo patients.
It isn’t a ACL tear or rupture. The hips are the problem. We are going the conservative route. Dog is doing better daily, could use doggy stairs to get in the car and wanted to visit with every dog in the office. I had the child in the office that the other parents didn’t want to have their child play with. The Dr was very nice, said that old age is not a disease but we need to take age into account. Hip replacement would be 5-6 month rehap and 4.5K a hip. Then he would still have two bad elbows. Swimming would be good exercise and I told my husband that a decent spa could be brought with 9K.
LA</p>
<p>given the lifespan of larger dogs, I’d be glad of the years you’ve had and the months (or year or two) he has left. I suspect dogs are no happier with surgical rehab than we humans are, and think surgery is more torture than blessing for an old guy (dog).</p>
<p>One thing others have not mentioned, but could make a difference is weight loss. Older dogs can be pretty chunky, and your term “big” can be taken more than one way. You might consider less chow, or a different kind. 10 pounds off would make a real difference for him.</p>
<p>My big guy (120 pound Golden) had his surgical consult yesterday. He does have an ACL tear, and will have surgery (the more expensive of the two surgical options, since he is a “big friend”) next Tuesday. The rehab is about 8 weeks, but he just has to be confined to the house with quick bathroom breaks in the yard.
Re: weight loss- has to happen with my guy. We have spoiled him with scraps and licking dishes. Starting post-surgery, he is on a diet. Needs to drop about 15 pounds for his health.</p>
<p>MWC,</p>
<p>As one who has slimmed down dogs before, I can tell you canine diet portions are microscopic, especially compared to what they’re used to. You might take a look at Science Diet light. You can get it in big bags, and it helps. (BTW, their oral diet does wonders for doggie breath. Could not believe it until we tried it!)</p>
<p>BTW, we now have two springers, one 10, one 8. Both are trim at around 43 lbs. It’s not easy, since all it takes is a cup of chow in the AM and one in the PM to keep them at that weight, and we get lots of “is that all I get in this bowl?” looks, but they’re much healtheir as a result, as shown by two foot leaps in the air (hind leg clearance…) for treats or walks.</p>
<p>We’ve always fed our large dog (border collie Pyranean cross) one cup in the morning and one in the evening. He’s kept an even weight throughout his adult lifetime. (I should have followed that diet!) He’s 8 years old now and he still goes mad with doggy anticipation at 7 am and 5 pm–for ‘cardboard’ dog food. You’d think there was raw beef tenderloin in that bag the way he chases his tail with excitement. Go figure.</p>
<p>lamom, good news on the ACL. Green beans are a great way to take off dog weight. Cut back 1/4 c at a time and replace it with green beans (watch the sodium count.)</p>