Torn ACL

[BullyB]

My 2 year old bully Bruno started limping around last night....no whimpering or anything, just limping. We took him to the vet today. They did an X-ray, and said it was a torn ACL and the surgery would be $2000. And that surgery was the only option. My question is...is it true that surgery is the only option? Is there anything else I should know? We can't really afford the surgery, but I would do anything for my bullies. Any help here would be appreciated.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

Oh I'm so sorry..I can tell you are very worried and concerned. I don't have any experience with this..but hang in there..I'm sure there will be people to give you their advice. In the meantime..you might want to do a search for ACL injuries. There might be some info in the archives. Take care....

 

[Vicaroo1000]

I sure don't know myself - watching the thread to see what folks say. Someone will know here.

So sorry to hear about Bruno's injury....poor baby. These things are always "Untimely" too, aren't they?

 

[2BullyMama]

[MENTION=1244]BullyB[/MENTION] -- we had to have the surgery twice on our boy, Nitschke. I think, it was between 1500-2000, both times, and yes, it is the only option. It is the same as with a human,,, tear or rip the ACL and all you can do is operate to make the repair or replace it. The recovery is tough too... the pup needs to remain calm -- no activity, no stairs, no jumping, etc, etc.

what area do you live in? You should also get a second opinion.

 

[BullyB]

We live in northern Illinois. I called Madison, WI and talked with an ortho specialist there...sounds like surgery is the only option. Not sure how we're gonna pay for it yet, but he's my baby...can't imagine life without my Bruno.

 

[2BullyMama]

We live in northern Illinois. I called Madison, WI and talked with an ortho specialist there...sounds like surgery is the only option. Not sure how we're gonna pay for it yet, but he's my baby...can't imagine life without my Bruno.

Check with the vet.... there are payment plans -- kind of like a credit card. Forget the name of it.. something like Care Credit??

 

[Davidh]

Oh my, so sorry for Bruno and you, I would get a second opinion too just to be sure.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

Check with the vet.... there are payment plans -- kind of like a credit card. Forget the name of it.. something like Care Credit??

Yes! Check into carecredit..you can look online or usually apply right in the vets office. You use it like a credit card..but limited to vets..etc. You get 2 years to pay and no interest. Maybe you can get help at a teaching veterinary school too. The schools often give discounts...good luck and please let us know as you go.

 

[sheshistory]

My bully Bentley tore both ACLs - that's the rub - once one goes, it's a matter when, not if, the other one goes.

Yes, surgery is the only option. Nowadays, they do TPLO surgery instead of tying the ligament back together because that had a tendency to come loose again, especially on bullies.

I agree with all the other posters, ask about Care Credit or other payment options because, like a human with a torn ACL, your bully will have pain and no stability in his knee until he has surgery.

 

[BullyB]

Well we're bringing Bruno in for the surgery today. I'm definitely a nervous bully mama today...I actually think I am a little more nervous about the recovery....Bruno is not used to being crated or anything, so I'm not sure how these next 2 months are gonna go. We'll see I guess.

 

[Connie03062]

Surgery is NOT the only option. I've had 2 bulldogs that have had torn ACL..the first one I had repaired with traditional surgery. He recovered ok but did need physical therapy to rebuild the muscle that was lost during the down time.

The second bulldog also had a partial tear. I took him for accupuncture and laser treatments. He was healed in 4 months and now runs and plays like nothing ever happened.

You can do conservative management like I did on my second bulldog..scar tissue will build up around the tear and this is what stabalizes the knee...the same thing that stabalizes the knee with traditional repair..it's not the repair that fixes the knee it's the scar tissue that covers it. Recovery time is the same with or without surgery.

TPLO and TTA are very invasive procedures to repair a torn ACL that involves cutting the bones and metal plates.

Connie

 

[Jkowalski]

Hi Connie. If it's complete tear would you recommend surgery?

 

[Jkowalski]

Hi. We also live in Northern Il. And our Stella requires ACL surgery. Where did you decide to go?

 

[RalphieBoy]

Yes! Check into carecredit..you can look online or usually apply right in the vets office. You use it like a credit card..but limited to vets..etc. You get 2 years to pay and no interest. Maybe you can get help at a teaching veterinary school too. The schools often give discounts...good luck and please let us know as you go.

Becky nailed it. If your credit is good go care credit. I have not heard of care credit but no interest and $100.00 per month and your home free.

 

[NewEnglandBully]

Well we're bringing Bruno in for the surgery today. I'm definitely a nervous bully mama today...I actually think I am a little more nervous about the recovery....Bruno is not used to being crated or anything, so I'm not sure how these next 2 months are gonna go. We'll see I guess.

How did everything go w/Bruno?