ACL surgery- is it necessary?

[hailey53]

Hi,

Our 3 y/o bulldog is scheduled for ACL surgery tomorrow and I am not sure that it is the right decision. The vet put her under and confirmed that it is a tear. However, since the diagnosis she has been getting along pretty well- she still holds up her leg but she still wants to run/do stairs, etc. The vet says that if we dont go through with the surgery that it can become arthritic or damage the other knee, but after looking in to the recoop for the ACL surgery I am not sure that it is the best option.

I appreciate any thoughts or experience you have with this. Am I just an overprotective mom or should we reconsider the surgery?

[ksdstny]

do a search on the domain...you'll find loads of info. imo, the surgery is the best option. its painful and you wouldnt want him to go through life in pain right?

[BeachBullyPC]

Go with the surgery! Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my dog's surgery (TPLO) and you wouldn't even know he had it if he didn't have that TPLO haircut!  We saw the vet today and he couldn't  believe how well he's healing, he said he should heal this way by 5-6 weeks not 2 weeks.  We had no swelling, no inflammation, nice healing and he's been using that leg since the vet brought him out to us the day after surgery. He barely needed any pain pills and has been doing extremely well.  We got the go ahead for 15 minute walks today and can't believe how uneventful this process was.  We heard horror stories and were hesitant, but really it's not a big deal at all.  Go for it, your dog will thank you!

[Jerr_N_Tiff]

That's the wonder of a good vet BeachBully