Partial Tear Of Cruciate Ligament

[MooBoo]

Back from the specialist and it looks like Bella has partially torn her cruciate ligament.

I've been searching the net but was after some first hand knowledge from those who have had dogs go through this.

Bella is a DdB and currently weighs in at 56kg, she is trying really hard to lose more weight, hopefully another 6kg.

Also we have been quoted $4000-$4200, does this sound about right. Our regular vet quoted about $5000.

Anything anyone can tell me would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Staffyluv]

My stafford had partial tears and we chose not to do surgery (he also has MCT and more surgery was not what I wanted for him).

Instead we chose to limit his movement - not crated but also not allowed to jump up and only very short quiet walks (only about 10 mintues at a time). He was also on Ester C powder added to his water every day.

It took about 8 weeks but he is fine now and no surgery.

You might ask about the no surgery route but if your specialist says it is warranted then I guess you need to do that.

Have you consulted an holistic vet about this at all? You may want to before you do surgery.

Good luck

[MooBoo]

Thanks for the reply Staffyluv.

The specialist thinks it is nearly completely torn.

We really don't want to do surgery if we can get around it due to Bells age and weight and she also has a very slight heart murmer.

Surgery basically just scares me so any other ideas would be great.

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get it done though.

[Sankari]

My GR is currently recovering from two cruciate injuries. We havent done surgery on her as we were following advice by our vet who thinks as it is only likely to be partially torn and on the cartrophen injections has improved a great deal that surgery isnt warranted.

She is now topping the scales at 31kg (she is normally looking great at 26kg) and I am trying to get that off but it's not easy with limited exercise allowed. We are now given the all clear to start swimming, and a little more exercise as well as some other things like Bowen etc...

Charlotte is also on Joint guard - for her hip and fish oil as well which the vet recommended.

I can fully understand why you are so worried about putting her under anaesthetic, I would think if it is nearly completely torn surgery would be a given, but i would also be concerned about health status as you mention her heart, age etc. If i were in that position i would write all the pros and cons of the surgery at her age and health status and then decide what to do. In saying that it would be difficult to know what to do, if surgery is the only option then i would go for it.

I had no hesitation for surgery for Charlotte, but i was guided by the vets advice and opinion which is the reason she hasnt had surgery.

[~Archie~]

I had a Boston Terrier who had a partial cruciate tear, we treated her with a 4 week course of Pentosan & daily Joint Guard.

She was fully weight bearing 6 weeks post tear and never required surgery.