Dog problem. Need advice.

[LaFleche]

He is doing better today. He is recovering well so far.

View attachment 2947266

Yes! He rather looks annoyed now instead of suffering as in the before picture.

 

[igorsMistress]

Got a diagnosis.

Buster partially tore an ac ligament. Vet put a brace on and told us what to do.

He needs to rest and not put weight on that leg. We got meds also.

If it doesn’t get better, he will need surgery.

I hope Buster feels better soon! Poor guy.

 

[LaFleche]

How is Buster doing by now?

 

[jnicholes]

He is doing MUCH better. Walking almost normally!

 

[jnicholes]

I’ll get you all a video later today of how he is doing.

 

[LaFleche]

He is doing MUCH better. Walking almost normally!

I am glad he is doing so much better!

 

[addctd2plnts]

Got a diagnosis.

Buster partially tore an ac ligament. Vet put a brace on and told us what to do.

He needs to rest and not put weight on that leg. We got meds also.

If it doesn’t get better, he will need surgery.

I hope they checked his spine too. ACL Surgery is no more effective than just letting it heal and scar down. And most of the dogs then rupture the other ligament. I personally had a giant breed, Leonberger, who ruptured hers. She hid it well. In later years she got some arthritis but it never impacted her. We just gave shots of Adequan. I worked for a vet and know how to give shots, so he just sells me the meds. Prozac can help older dogs cope with pain and it doesn't sedate them. Finally, a very low dose of Prednisone, only 1-3 mg/day, is often enough to make them VERY comfortable, after they are healed, and with a dose that low, they do not have any of the side effects from the Prednisone. There's lots of options, but a dog at that age is not really a good candidate for surgery, and that surgery is very expensive. If the vet insists, I'd get some 2nd opinions without telling them who the 1st vet is and that they suggested surgery.