Dog needs Help

[Billy_Burbout]

I know this has happened to someones dog on here. My dog started to favor his right hind side in may. the wife took him in for x-rays in june and they said it could be arthiratis(spelled wrong) in his hip. he has been on pain pills ever since. about two weeks ago he started limping bad to the point that he wont even put any pressure on it. more x-rays yesterday and they believe now it wasnt the hip but a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). it was his knee the whole time! he needs surgery and my vet told me to go to Granite City Pet hospital in saint cloud but they dont have many good reviews. Has anybody had the surgrey done there?? any other places to go?? i live in the brainerd area. do vet clinics have payment plans cause i know this will not be cheap. THANKS for any input

[Billy_Burbout]

he is a 7yr old yellow lab

[moderation]

University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital. It’s a great place, it might not be the cheapest, but the care is the best. I’ve had two different dogs down there and have been impressed. Use your credit card and pay it off monthly if needed.

[dukhntr]

Try Lake Area Vet in Elbow Lake, MN. None of my dogs have had the type of surgery you mentioned, but they have had lots of vet trips and a few surguries. Way cheaper than the U of M.

dukhntr

[backlash 1]

Animal care center on the same road as home depot in Baxter gets two thumbs up from me, Have you tried them?

[Billy_Burbout]

yeah i called them, elbow lake and others. they for the most part use the same specialist, Dr Calvin Kobluk. he travels from hospital to hospital. $2400 was the cheapest. the U is top notch and also the most at $3000 to $3200

[Ralph Wiggum]

We've had surgery at the U...twice. Expensive, but they are awesome.

We've got several friends that have had/are having cruciate replacement (and unfortunately, I am thinking our dog is going to be getting one, too). They've recommended Dr. Joel Ihnen in Zimmerman, MN. Sounds like he's cheaper than what you've been quoted, and our friends have been happy so far.

[bikeoutback]

Not sure of other's experience with this type of stuff but here is my buddies experience with his yellow lab which was probably around 6 or 7 years old when he tore first ACL. He had the surgery down in southern MN by Fairmont, not sure who surgeon was, but he was also told that if one goes there is a good chance the other one will also. Sure enough 1 year later the other one was repaired also. I've heard of health coverage for dogs, it may not cover this one but you may want to consider it if they will cover a later one.

[MNice]

Call Faribault vet clinic, 507-334-2068, my springer had this done about 4-5 years ago, right around $6-700 if I remember. Sad for me to say, but at $2400 for surgery for a dog, I would have to think about leaving it or putting the dog down. However, my wife would say different and have me put down.

[SFC]

Alot of vets take care credit, they usually have like 6 month free financing. Proud owner of a dog that has costed me a few grand, I call him dollar bill.

[Billy_Burbout]

thanks for all the help guys. Dr ihnen in zimmerman at all pet hospital has been the cheapest so far at $1500ish. the bigger dogs need the TPLO surgery which is more costly than the one where they just "tie" the ligament back together. that surgery for smaller dogs is in the $600-900 range. i am going to look into insurance for all my dogs too since they did tell me that it is VERY likely to happen on the other side now like you guys said. it is tough spending this amount of money on a dog but you get to love them like they were your kid so i will try my best to keep him happy and pain free. plus i make him jump in to freezeing cold water to go after a stinking old duck so i owe him! haha

[Ralph Wiggum]

Best of luck!

[Swimmer]

Yes, I've faced the same question of weather it is worth it. And to my great relief, the dog wins every time.

[rbandsasha]

My yellow lab female was diagnosed with hip displasia when she was less than a year. After a period of medication and ongoing glucosamine supplements she was able to return to reasonalby normal activity. At 3 she had a very similar episode to your dog. A vet where we were out of town x-rayed and suspected all hip related (subluxed). When I got home, I called the vet and he told me over the phone without seeing her it was most likely her ACL. He was correct. He gave us the option that he could do a repair (and extraarticular stabilization procedure; essentially a fireline type material woven around the joint). Option 2 was to go to Vet School (Iowa St was his recommendation) and have the TPLO done. $600 vs $3000. We went $600. She is now 10 1/2 and has hunted every year since. We had a neighbor whose dog did have TPLO done the next summer and their dog (nonhunting lab) became very inactive and never got around well again. Just like with people, even with the work of a skilled surgeon, the work isn't done when the incision is closed.

RBandSASHA

[harvey lee]

It's pretty hard to say no to ones buddy but these surgeries do cost for sure.

[pushbutton]

i rarely call out a place or say negative things , but do not recommend bringing your dog to granite city....i will back that statement up with a testimonial if need be. if you do go through with surgery(which i hope you do), please make sure you have the capacity to be able to assist the dog in the recovery process. surgery is one step, but equally important is the ability properly care for the dog afterwards. acl injuries are not particularly serious and quite treatable, but again, make sure you have the time to follow through. good luck!

[waterfowler10]

I would try Kreuser vet in jordan i had my dog in there after it was it by a car the, U of M wanted to charge 15,000 for the surgery with a 5% chance of full recovery kreuser charged 2,800 and they said there was a 95% chance of full recovery, my dog is 100% healed, if you want there number email me [email protected] there some of the best vets ive ever dealt with, they will tell you exactly how it is and if its worth the surgery or not. very very nice people, ihave nothing but wonderful things to say about them