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by ThunderDog on 28 March 2014 - 17:03
The xray by itself is not a diagnosing tool for a Cranial Cruciate Ligament tear (ACL). In this case the xray does not show anything since ligament is not visible plus no changes in the bone structure are visible yet. Any decent vet should be able to diagnose a complete tear by performing a drawer test which in essence the tibia is pulled forward and if there is excessive translation it means that the CrCL (ACL) ligament is torn.
As far as options, for a german shepherd in general TPLO is the best option and $2300 is fairly cheap but I would make sure that this surgeon is experienced with this kind of surgery. Off course I am saying in general and every dog is different. The skill of the surgeon in performing the surgery is also very important.
As far as the vet saying that this is because it is a German shepherd, that is complete BS. Most CrCL tears happen in retrievers that have no angulation. In any case it is a well known fact that ACL tears in dogs, unlike humans where the injury is acute, are cause by gradual degeneration of the ligament which is exactly why in most cases both knees eventually end up with a tear.
If you are close to a vet school or a specialized orthopedic clinic it would be better to get their opinion. One of the best places in the Midwest is at University of Missouri Vet School in Columbia, but that may not be close enough for you.
Best of luck.
As far as options, for a german shepherd in general TPLO is the best option and $2300 is fairly cheap but I would make sure that this surgeon is experienced with this kind of surgery. Off course I am saying in general and every dog is different. The skill of the surgeon in performing the surgery is also very important.
As far as the vet saying that this is because it is a German shepherd, that is complete BS. Most CrCL tears happen in retrievers that have no angulation. In any case it is a well known fact that ACL tears in dogs, unlike humans where the injury is acute, are cause by gradual degeneration of the ligament which is exactly why in most cases both knees eventually end up with a tear.
If you are close to a vet school or a specialized orthopedic clinic it would be better to get their opinion. One of the best places in the Midwest is at University of Missouri Vet School in Columbia, but that may not be close enough for you.
Best of luck.
by Blitzen on 28 March 2014 - 21:03
Excellent post and advice, Thunderdog. I bred a Malamute that suffered an ACL tear at 11 years. Not a breed known for a lot of angulation. She did well with the surgery, a local vet, and lived to be 14 1/2. Co-owned another, a CH that blew out his knee at 12, we opted to not do surgery. After about a month or 2 of restricted exercise and pain meds as needed, he led a painfree life til he passed at almost 15. A friend with another Mal, surgery at the vet school in MO that cost about half of the quote of the local vet. She subsequently blew out the other knee, surgery at the same vet school, just passed at 14.
Blaming it on the breed and overangulation IS complete BS. I'd be looking for a new vet. One vet here in FL told me that when he was in school and the question was - which breed/s are prone to this condition/disease, he knew to always say "German Shepherds" since that breed gets every disease known to veterinary medicine. I never went back there again.
Blaming it on the breed and overangulation IS complete BS. I'd be looking for a new vet. One vet here in FL told me that when he was in school and the question was - which breed/s are prone to this condition/disease, he knew to always say "German Shepherds" since that breed gets every disease known to veterinary medicine. I never went back there again.
by starrchar on 29 March 2014 - 13:03
K9gsd78, Please keep us posted on the progress and recovery of this dog. I am curious to as to whether a young dog of this size can have a good quality of life after an ACL injury with no surgical intervention. I wish the best for this dog and his owner.
Char
Char
by k9gsd78 on 30 March 2014 - 04:03
I will report back as I receive new information. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to respond!
by KYLE on 30 March 2014 - 13:03
More stress will be placed on the good leg but that does not mean it will tear. You are forced to make a decision on what your future expectations are for the dog, work, sport, or pet. None of the choices are easy.
http://www.tiggerpoz.com/id8.html
Kyle
http://www.tiggerpoz.com/id8.html
Kyle
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