Honey needs help!!!

[Doodle]

We just received a phone call from the vet confirming Honey (only 8 months old!) has 2 partially torn ACLs!!!! Our vet's office has an orthopedic surgeon as well and he agreed with our vet and asked that the x-rays be sent to a radiologist to double check. All three are in agreement it is both knees.

How can this be? Our poor Honey!! She's on meds to control the pain.

The vet is talking about surgery on BOTH knees with extensive recovery time.  Honey would have to be still with no exercise. Did I mention she is only 8 months old?

I'm sure it must have happened when Honey and Shadow were chasing and wrestling, they always have a good wrestle and run. 

The vet said it is going to cost anywhere from $1500-$2500 that's PER KNEE!!!! Tears are flowing as I'm writing this and my heart is breaking. We can't pay for this. We've already spent over $2,000 in medical bills on her just in the last 4 months! What am I going to do? I love her so much. If we don't do the surgery than she will either get a full tear in one or both knees and get arthritis and have to be on constant pain meds until she can't take it anymore. I can't do that to her. I feel horrible. I told the vet I heard that sometimes it can heal on its own.  She wasn't as hopeful because Honey is bigger (50 pounds) and generally speaking that happens in smaller dogs and it's not all that common.

HELP!!! What do I do??

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm so very very sorry to read this. I can feel the distress in your words. I'm hoping that you will find a way for Honey to get the help she needs. Keep posting and we will try to help any way we can here with as much support and advice as we can muster.

[Doodle]

Thank you for being there for us. I'll take a hug with a side of strength if anyone has some extras.

[BG and Gavin]

Consider it done.  Sending a hug and good thoughts your way.

[Pam & Trixie]

Here is a big Hug from Trixie & I too.

Hoping some of the suggestions will help you figure out how the surgery can take place

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh I feel so bad for Honey...poor baby, this must be so painful.  I'd love to know more about how this happened...my two Doodles also play together and I want to try to avoid this.  I know my Vet is very good about offering payment plans for treatments that are extremely expensive, and from what I've heard she doesn't charge interest which makes it a more desirable option than a credit card.  Have you asked your Vet about whether or not they offer a similar option?  It seems pretty clear that you're going to have to go ahead with the surgery, so I hope your Vet is willing to work with you on payment.  If not, you may want to contact other Vets in your area.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I agree with checking the prices if you aren't comfortable with the price your vet gives you.  From my personal experience, a university vet hospital was ALOT cheaper than a local, privately owned specialist/surgery center...not sure if thats the case everywhere..but it wouldnt hurt to call around!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good idea, it's been my experience that the veterinary school hospitals are often less expensive and the care is first-rate, often much better than you get from private practice vets.

[Doodle]

Wonderful thank you. I just added that to my research list. 

[Doodle]

Thank you.  This is so helpful.

[Doodle]

Jane,

Honey and Shadow are big time wrestlers inside and outside. Shadow is really sturdy on his feet on the kitchen floor and Honey was like Bambi on ice, always slipping and sliding. If Shadow wants a break from her puppy jaws he runs into the kitchen knowing she won't move as quickly.  Sadly, our clumsy girl forgets and comes barreling through the kitchen and finds herself on her tummy with Shadow (who is smaller by 20 lbs) happily standing over her in glory.  This is probably how it happened in the first place.  She gained 8 pounds in one month! Not fat just a growth spurt (she's 50 now) so the extra growth didn't help her with her balance on the hardwoods. Our vet thought at first it was her growth plates hitting a fat pad that was causing the pain and limping.  I thought at first it was a pulled muscle or something that she kept re-injuring.  I guess a torn, or partially torn ACL happens more in adult dogs. There are more breeds prone to this; labs being (unfortunately) one of them. With that information I'm purely guessing it may be genetic???? I'll have to get back to you on this. It sounds like I'll be researching quite a bit about this!!!!

     Our vet said, "Honey is an enigma; this is something so rarely in such a young pup. But it isn't the end for her, she can do this." 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Elizabeth.   I'm thinking I may need to put a stop to the "zoomies".  My guys love to chase each other through the house....after reading this I'm thinking "not a good idea".

[Donna K & Quincy]

I'm so sorry that Honey has this problem. Here is a link that may be of some help or may lead you to help.

http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/10/27/help-with-vet-bills/