Knee problems

[Sally & Frank Shanley,and Megan]

Megan has a problem and we thought maybe others may have insight.　 She is four, very active and yesterday while playing ball started limping, holding up her left rear leg.　 We took her to the vet who said she "probably" had a cruciate ligament rupture that requires surgery at the cost of about 1500- yikes!　 Has anyone had any experience with this type of injury?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have not had this experience but I would say you need to give the injury a few days to heal, in case it is not a ligament tear, by limiting activity. If she does not get better she will need further tests. My two doodles chase each other , rear up and fight all the time and this is one of the things that prompted me to get pet insurance. Any kind of surgery does get expensive. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My miniature poodle had to have surgery to replace a knee ligament. The cost was $1500 and that was in 1999, so I'd say your estimate was reasonable. The surgery was very successful and she went on to run and play with no problems and no meds required for another 7 years, so it was well worth it. Pain meds have some fairly severe side-effects, so just managing it with medication long term was not the best option for me, it was much better to just get it fixed.

Knee problems are fairly common in poodles, especially the smaller ones.

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

If they did surgery every time I had a limping doodle, I'd be bankrupt!  Sophie spent about 6-8 weeks restricted once for a hurt leg (he said 5-6 and I was overly cautious), then she spent another 2 weeks.  I've had a couple other times where it was a few days and just last week Lucy was limping for a day or two.  They play so rough when they get outside.  Also the reason I took out insurance.  The only thing that concerns me about your vets diagnosis is the "probably".  I'd need a more definite answer than that before I proceeded.  Did he do xrays or anything or just feel it? or how did he diagnose it?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good point. Before anyone starts talking about surgery, you do need a confirmed diagnosis, and that requires testing.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Surgery is always the last possible treatment when the diagnosis is firm and there are no other good solutions. I find it alarming that 'surgery' is mooted in this glib fashion.  I would want a firm diagnosis and the opinion of a specialist before even thinking along those lines. (if I was tweeting this I would add #quickbuck!!)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We know LOTS about torn CCL's as our Springer is now recovering from his second torn one - the good news is that he won't ever tear another.  The bad news is that it is an expensive surgery - $4,000 dollars here in Southern California.  Gordie tore his first one at age 6 and the second at age 8.  If they tear one the probability of tearing the other is quite high - like 70%, so start saving.  For us, not repairing it was never a consideration, although there is some validity to keeping the dog crated for months and months as an alternative to the surgery.  There are also different surgical options.  My recommendation would be to go to a vet surgeon rather than just have your regular vet do it (if he does) and to look at the different types of repairs.  Any other assistance I can offer, just ask. 

September 2009 first surgery:

November 2011 - second surgery:

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

This is an interesting video about cruciate ligament rupture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jg9E2nBt_E

[Sally & Frank Shanley,and Megan]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It has given us some ideas and things to think about. Hard to think about Megan having surgery but want what is best.  We will seek out an orthopedic vet and let you all know what happens. Thanks again.

[Martha & Cooper]

So sorry to hear this about Megan. I hope she isn't in a lot of pain.  A good Vet can diagnose a rupture from the way the joint moves when they manipulate the knee.   

We have experience with this from our last dog Smokie.  He had torn ACLs in BOTH knees and had to have surgery to repair both, yes both.  The first, we tried the wait and see routine.  Gave him anti-inflammatories, kept him on limited activity, only to have him go out one night and collapse in total pain.  We had to carry him in and he literally cried all night from the pain because when we called the Emergency Vet office that was open they told us to try and wait until morning.  Their Vets were in surgery.   He had finished off the rupture.  On the second knee, a little over a year later, we decided right away to just go ahead and get the surgery over with.  

Smokie's surgery was done by his personal Vet, who was even recommended by the Emergency Hospital to do the surgery.  He did very well after both surgeries, but that Vet was a special one and is no longer around here.  :-(    If my dog were to have that problem now, I guess I would look for an Orthopedic Vet, and at least get an opinion.     

Hang in there and big hugs from Martha and Cooper.  

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I would wait and see too, however, not more than a day or so unless it is getting better. I agree, if we had surgery every time a dog was limping, I'd be living in my car, but my wait and see approach has always proved safe as the limps have gone away as quickly as they started with a day of rest. All I can suggest is for you to get insurance now just in case, and before it is diagnosed and considered pre-existing, unless it's already too late for that.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I would guess it is too late for the insurance now as the vet has already given it a tentative diagnosis.  Wouldn't hurt to try though.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Once the vet suspects a condition - makes a note of it in the records - insurance will not cover it.  :(   This is why sometimes even with Stuart being insured - we have what I call an "off the record" conversation, meaning that I do NOT want notes in the record.