Gfitz911
New member
For the past 3-4 weeks, Koozer has been limping (rear left leg). This limp has not impaired his ability (or desire) to play, eat, do all things normally. Aside from the limp, he is perfectly healthy and normal. Since the limp wasn't going away, we decided it was time for a visit to the vet. Our vet is a very experienced Bulldog vet. During the exam, Koozer was very reactive to his kneecap being manipulated. He took x-rays, and actually found no signs of a completely severed ACL, but the vet was convinced he has a partial ACL tear (though you could not see that on the x-ray). The weird thing is, the X-ray shows that both knees look identical! The vet said that if he didn't know which leg Koozer was limping on, he wouldn't be able to tell based on the x-rays. Still, the vet is recommending a TPLO surgery for the left leg.
So hubby and I are at a loss of what to do. If there are no DEFINITIVE signs Koozer needs surgery, then why would we do it (other than a tender kneecap and a bulldog vet's experience)? Is is possible that something else could be the problem? So we decided that we are putting Koozer on a severe restriction (no walks, no horse play, no fetch, etc.) and see if he does better. He is also on Metacam for pain and inflammation. We will be able to get him into surgery in a few weeks, but are we making the right decision on holding off? Or do we trust the expert? Also, they do stem cell therapy there, but the vet recommended the therapy with the surgery. Anyone have ideas of doing the stem cell therapy without the surgery...is that an option? I'm so stressed!!!! Any help or advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
So hubby and I are at a loss of what to do. If there are no DEFINITIVE signs Koozer needs surgery, then why would we do it (other than a tender kneecap and a bulldog vet's experience)? Is is possible that something else could be the problem? So we decided that we are putting Koozer on a severe restriction (no walks, no horse play, no fetch, etc.) and see if he does better. He is also on Metacam for pain and inflammation. We will be able to get him into surgery in a few weeks, but are we making the right decision on holding off? Or do we trust the expert? Also, they do stem cell therapy there, but the vet recommended the therapy with the surgery. Anyone have ideas of doing the stem cell therapy without the surgery...is that an option? I'm so stressed!!!! Any help or advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated.