My Vetn said that my dog needs a knee surgery. He is happy and running (on 3 legs) but does not seem to have any pain. How can I tell that he really needs the surgery?
2007-05-07 16:36:06 · 7 answers · asked by Keegan 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If he's limping.
2007-05-07 16:42:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the - the fact that your dog is running around on three legs indicates he IS in pain - too much to be able to put one leg to the floor! This is about the only pain sign you can expect from dogs, they're not going to lie around whimpering over this.
I'll assume you're describing a cruciate ligament rupture. This is fairly common in dogs, particularly large breeds. If caught early, rupture can be prevented with meds. If not, a fairly routine orthopaedic operation can fix it.
Your dog is not using one leg - do you need more of an indicator for surgery? It's probably a complete rupture, so it's too late for this problem to be fixed with anti-inflammatory medication. All that will happen if you DON'T have surgery is that the ligament in the other knee will go too, due to the extra strain being put on it.
Chalice
2007-05-08 07:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My girl had slipping patella grade 2 (able to luxate on her own). We had her operated at age 3 because she was limping off and on and seemed to not be happy. I can now say she is a happy 11 year old running and jumping when she wakes up from her snooze.
We were also told that if we did not have the opp there was a chance that the other knee would also give out. The operation cost around $2000.00 and was worth every cent.
2007-05-07 20:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by CAV4ME 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if he was using all 4 legs, I would say you need a second opinion.. but given that he is only using 3 of his legs, it suggests that he does have pain and by holding it up it alleviates some of the pain.. Get the surgery, why would you even question it knowing that he isn't using the leg?
2007-05-07 16:43:05 · answer #4 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your dog is only using three legs then obviously he is in pain and the fact that your vet has recommended the surgery seems like this is something you should have done.
Generally vets will not recommend surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. Please get the surgery done, your dog will be much happier using all of his legs!
2007-05-07 16:43:47 · answer #5 · answered by kismetsguardian 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As you should with any surgical procedure, you can always get a second opinion. Professional opinion, I should add...not just ours.
Is the problem a luxating patella?
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1569&articleid=457
2007-05-07 16:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by Karen W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just wait till he is old.
Then you'll wish you had!
2007-05-07 16:44:03 · answer #7 · answered by kudo452 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋