Comment

Comment by Julia on January 30, 2010 at 1:58am

I realize, now, after agonizing over my own dogs' surgeries, and weighing in on discussions/decisions here, that I have a definite double standard. Probably because I can feel my own pain, and understand my own future, it has always been MUCH easier to decide on my own surgeries and treatments than those for my dogs. Such AGONY it is to decide what to do for them, but when my own doctors tell me, in the midst of a crisis, that I need such and such a surgery, then this follow up and that therapy, I listen. If only I could feel their pain, and know their hopes for the rest of their lives. Then I feel I could just as easily make the decisions for my dogs as I do for myself.

Comment by Joey Nolegs Gilbert on January 29, 2010 at 11:17pm

We wouldn't put Joey through surgery. It's too tough on them. Some might not make it. Joey limps. At first we gave him NSAID medication. Previcox for a month. But then that scared us. We switched to Metacam. 6 months. But it made him aggressive so we just dropped it all together. We live with his limping. Which is the best advice we can give. Just live with it. Unless it severely restricts movement all the time. Joey's limping is only periodic. We really regret those months he was on NSAID medication. And he's too old and fat to survive surgery.

Comment by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on January 29, 2010 at 9:28pm

Well Soffie tore the cruciate ligament in her knee, so I guess that's a different injury. We were lucky that we could avoid surgery. But it sounds like Rosie isn't going to be so lucky. We found lots of information on the internet through google searches. Perhaps you can try that too. Good luck Rosie, we wish you well!

Comment by Jane Christensen on January 29, 2010 at 6:48pm

Good luck Rosie...let us know what happens. The Whole Dog Journal is great for many things! Feb. it has dog food ratings in also! Yes!

Comment by Sky and Lyla on January 29, 2010 at 6:05pm

I have on advice, per say, as I've never been through this, but The Whole Dog Journal has an article in it this month about non-surgical options to tendon injuries. It might be worth checking out a copy to see what it has to say. I know it can be hard to get just a single issue, I have a subscription, but I've also seen it for sale at a couple of fancy pet boutiques. Good luck and I hope that whatever you choose Rosie gets better!

Comment by Susan Temple on January 29, 2010 at 6:02pm

Oh yes! My Corgi Peanut had this surgery when he was about a year old. Actually our 'big' dog, a Rottie-Husky had the surgery THREE times! Peanut's problem was an injury, he was running through the woods with a pack of dogs and probably turned to fast. Anyway, Peanut did very well with the surgery. We have a wonderful vet who I trust completely and he said there was a probability of Peanut getting arthritis in that knee. I've been giving him a joint supplement (joint rescue) ever since. He's 5 now, and aside from not being able to bend the knee well to scratch his belly, he's fine. No wear or tear. He still bullets around like a little speed ball. The surgery can be costly, but worth it. Peanut spent a night at the vet and came home smiling. Please let me know how Rosie does.