Re: ACL Treatment

Our Lab,Max had a torn ACL and we got surgery for him.We weren't pleased with the way the vet didn't put a cast on his leg to prevent him from twisting it.Well he did twist it and ended up with a limp and sometimes hops on three legs.The operation is very expensive.If there is other ways you could treat you dog, I personaly myself speaking would try it.
Good luck!

Re: ACL Treatment

I am praying for your dog. I pray that he is not in a lot of pain and/or discomfort, and that he won't have to have surgery. Miracles happen daily, so why not pray for a miracle for him? There is nothing too hard for the Lord.

God bless you!

Re: ACL Treatment

i too hope for that duke is in no pain and discomfort. you must do whatever is best for him at this point, i would try the non invasive treatment to start to see how he does. i too have a minpin, alot older than duke. he injured his back once and we kept him quiet for a few days and with meds, he healed without surgery. they are a tough little breed. i wish you the best and i pray he heals.

Re: ACL Treatment

Several years ago my older dachshund jumped out of a chair and received an ACL injury. My vet did not recommend surgery but told me that surgery is not always successful for this type injury and put her on Glyco-Flex which is all natural. I continued giving her that until the day that she died and she used her leg with no pain. It is excellent for older dogs with arthritis, etc. and I keep my two older dachshunds now on that daily. I order it from www.entirely pets.com and I order the chews for a reasonable price. My vet now also recommends Synovial and that can also be ordered from this same website. Based on my dachshund's recovery using this all natural approach I would highly recommend that you try it.

Re: ACL Treatment

My 5 yr old black lab is at the University of Missouri now having her 2nd Tight Rope procedure.
At first our vet siad she may not need surgery but with time it was our final option. She made an okay 3-legged dog but it was sad to see all the time and we could tell she was in pain.
She hurt the right knee in April 2008 and had surgery after 2 months of alternative treatments that were unsuccessful. The procedure was a huge success and we know it wouldn't have been the same at any other Vet hospital.
We knew then that the Left knee was also in need of repair because we had complete X-rays.
Sometimes, if they are not active, the animal can heal on its own but if you have a high energy animal, Surgery may be the best option, as it was for us. We have had her on a glocosamine product similar to Glyco-flex for over 3 years and although it may help, you can't tell if she misses here dose on vacation.
AND BELIEVE ME, our Lab is always moving at High speeds and keeping her calm is impossible. Thank god for new technology like the Tight rope procedure.

Re: ACL Treatment

I know nothing about this disease, but I hope you find a treatment to make your little one feel better, in all areas. Thinking of you both. Good Luck! Linda

Re: ACL Treatment

We have a 10 year old mix that had a torn ACL in his left hind leg. He was very successfully by an alternative vet using Prilo therapy ( a series of 4 to 5 injections into the ACL) and rest. He is also on Glycoflex. Best of luck.

Re: ACL Treatment

We have had 4 TPLO surgeries in our family due to ACL tears. Both Otto and Anja, our GSD's had their knees done due to increasing pain. We live in Santa Rosa, CA and all four surgeries were done at PetCare in Santa Rosa by Dr. Talcott. We were extremely pleased with the outcome on all four. Anja, now deceased from cancer, was very hyper and we thought we may have trouble during the recovery but all went pretty well. Otto lost about 5% of his total range on one leg but that was completely acceptable as he no longer has the pain. Neither have had to continue any pain management drugs. If anyone is interested in more info or the experiences we had, please feel free to email me. We did have to remove one of the plates in Otto's leg after the bone healed but we are very pleased with the overall outcome and both pups were/are pain free now.

Re: ACL Treatment

My Eng Springer Spaniel, Spencer, has had ACL problems with both of his knees. It started with his right one and he would hop on three legs or skip -touching it down and then not - after he initially injured it. My vet at the time suggested keeping him quiet and on a leash for three months and by doing that I could avoid surgery. I crated him when I was not home, and kept him on leash for three to four months. He was not allowed to jump on or off the bed or anything else. He looked 100% after. I had him on Cosequin and MSM for the inflamation. He got sore a few times after that for no longer than a day or two if he overdid. I had some chiropractic work done and some accupunture only because he still sat differently and because he never did use that leg to go down the stairs with after the initial injury. He would hop down holding that leg up, and yet he would run and play like he did before he hurt it. Neither seemed to help him, so when someone who worked at the same place and did cranial sacral work suggested we try that, I figured why not. -Well, I have to say, it looks like someone is taking you for your money when you see it done, but she was so confident that we went back for a second and then a third session. I figured that would be it since I had not noticed a difference. But, the morning after the third session Spence went down the stairs like a normal dog and he has ever since!
In 2006 he injured his other knee jumping off the bed. I was getting ready to move out of state, and the vet there, after sedating him for xrays and doing a stress test said that he needed surgery. I did not know how I could do it with him needing to be kept quiet after the surgery and a move in the next month, so I added a liquid hyaluronic acid supplement called HyaFlex(cheapest i've found at KV VET) to his cosequin and MSM and repeated a quiet three months. He is fine and playing as in the past, and I have switched to Canine HylaSport from HorseTech(www.horsetech.com). It has all three supplements in one in very high amounts, in a flaxseed base with beef flavor. He loves it sprinkled on his food.
I did do the surgery route with my first dog - he blew out both knees -as most dogs who do one will. I really see no difference in either dog after the fact.

Re: ACL Treatment

My dog, a 7 year old cocker spaniel, is having ACL surgery on the 22nd of this month. I would like to start him on physical therapy / rehabilitation after his surgery. Does anyone know of a rehab center, vet, therapist, etc. in the Middle-Tennessee / Nashville, TN area?

Re: ACL Treatment

One of our dogs, the 11 year old had ACL corrective surgery 1 year ago and is now acting like a puppy again, running, jumping and enjoying her walks. We had the surgery done at Alameda East Veternary Hospital, here in Denver, and the surgeon did an excellent job and insisted on at least 3 follow up visits. We also have her on a supplement called Synovi G3, which has helped alot. You may wish to look into that. We had her on the Synovi G3 before her surgery and it definately helped eleviate her discomfort and pain. Her surgeon suggested that we just keep her on it for good as it is good for older dogs (it's a joint supplement given to horses) who may suffer from arthritis and other joint ailments. The surgery is expensive, but worth it, and actually cost less at the fancy vet clinic than at our old vet's. We are glad we made the decision to get it for her and her life has improved sooooo much. Hope this helps...

Re: ACL Treatment

HI! I responded to the issue of the Beagle with back problems a little while ago. I was telling of how my Pomeranian tore her cruciate ligament 1 year ago, and how much Massage Therapy has done for her. It is worth the effort and my Pomeranian runs, jumps and plays as though her ligament was never torn. You can read the whole entry when checking out the response on the beagle. Mine was about the 8th or 9th response. You may be interested. There are other options besides Surgery always. I believe Surgery is great for certain situations, but I personally think it's not always necessary. Good luck.