Knee problem

[Sally & Frank Shanley,and Megan]

Megan, our medium labradoodle, 39 lbs. started limping yesterday while playing ball. We took her to the vet today and he said she probably had a cruciate ligament tear which would require surgery.  We are planning on getting a second opinion as the surger sounds like it requires lots of down time and money and the results don't sound so great.  Just wondered if anyone had experience with this

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

My 70 lb standard goldendoodle woke up one morning last month limping.  She plays hard and chases her tennis ball when we chuck it.  We had been out in the neighborhood the night before and she was running around with her dog friends.  I went into panic mode and took her to the vet.  We have a friend who just lost their Doodle of the same age to bone cancer so I was scared to death the minute I saw the limping.  She only gave a little cry when we would squeeze her second outside toe on her left leg.  They x-rayed and looked for everything...cancer, ligament tear, fracture, hip problems...nothing.  We decided she had a jammed toe.  Think about it...our dogs run like the wind and don't look down.  Everyone has lawn sprinklers buried in their front lawns so what are the chances that she hit her toe on one of them???  I'm just surprised we made it to 4 1/2 years before something like that happening.  It is just like us jamming our toe on a piece of furniture.  Anyway, they sent her home with a clean bill of health from the x-ray ($350) and within two days she was ready to run again...no keeping our Doodle down!  So did you vet just do a visual examination on Megan?  The only way you are really going to know anything is an x-ray.  Also, does she have a tender point when you squeeze and probe her leg?  I would not just jump into surgery until you are 100% sure...yes another opinion for sure!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I posted this response in your other discussion, but I'm reposting here.

Second opinions are always a good idea, but as opposed to managing this with meds, I would opt for the surgery.

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. The results in our case were more than great, they were spectacular. The outcome of surgery often depends on the skill of the surgeon, so you may want to consult a specialist if your dog's surgery is complicated. The difference is that the regular vet does maybe a couple dozen of these procedures a year and the specialists do a couple dozen a month.

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

[Sally & Frank Shanley,and Megan]

This is very comforting. Lots of things I read seemed to indicate she would never be able to be her doodle self. Now more hopeful

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Our now 13 year old lab had ACL surgery when he was about 5.  The surgeon is the expert in our area & offered two options.  The first was to secure the knee with the equivalent of 50# fishing line, allowing the body to heal around the line & create a new ligament.  This was the choice we made because it was a faster recovery with essentially the same end result as the second choice which was more invasive.  The difference in cost was about $1000, with the more invasive surgery being more expensive.  We paid around $1800 8 years ago, and the choice was the right one for Jake.  He spent a few weeks confined to the house with a cone, was given pain medication & breezed right through.  Never another problem after the surgery.  All follow up visits, medications, surgery, & the hospital stay were included in the fee.  You want to find a surgeon that does this as his regular practice.  The name of our surgeon was Dr. Thomas Fry, Cascade Veterinary Specialists, Issaquah, WA  425-391-5015.  Perhaps you could call the office for a referral in your area.  Best of luck to you :)

[Sally & Frank Shanley,and Megan]

Thanks -- I think we will call him.  We definitely want someone who knows what they are doing.