Dog with a torn ACL

As TJack would say…it’s their time.

Had 2 dogs with torn ACL’s.
Both compensated and lived normal lives with no treatment.
Vet said something about that is “normal” life.
Statistically very few animals get medical treatment and live their lives.

My dog had a cruciate ligament tear; vet said she had to have surgery. Instead, I confined her to a small 10’ x 10’ pin for a couple months, letting her out a few times a day without running, trying to let it heal on its own. That was 3 years ago and she’s still running around today. Good luck.

5k sounds way too high...

Have a 2yr old Cavalier King Charles who dislocated his rear knee and tore the ACL, ran into a tree chasing a squirrel. This happened in June.

Vet went in, ground out the socket so the ball would stay in joint better and not dislocate as easy again and reattached the ACL.

Was $980...

Give them something for the pain for the first week or two and then start a regimen of glucosamine. We used Cosequin. Our vet recommended no surgery for our 11yr old pup and within six weeks there was no more limp and the dog lived another four years being able to jump on the sofa and run like normal.

I have a client who said her dog lost weight and he adapted.

We have a chieweenie so his back would have been destroyed in time due to the Weiner dog shape/back. If your dog doesn't have the same concerns and losing weight is an option, there are braces.

Just FYI, it's likely the other ACL will tear, too. That second surgery caused him to develop diabetes which has sucked.

Full tplo surgery was in the 4,500 range.

14 is old unless an an ankle biter. If the dog were under 10, I’d agree. But at 14, I don’t know if I’d risk it and would suggest OP discuss kennel rest and meds. I say this bc anesthesia and surgery has risks. I’m in a few pet forums and I was surprised how many dogs (young) actually don’t make it through or pass in recovery stage from simple neuters and spays. We sign papers and drop and and leave and are never told verbally what the risk truly is. That’s my reasoning for no surgery on and old dog if it isn’t life threatening.

We had this same situation with our lab mix around March or April. Doctor said about $5k and would likely need to do the other too for a little under $10k. It seemed like a sales pitch and not an effort to really help out.

So we let it heal on its own. He doesn’t hop on the couch or beds as much anymore, but other than that he is living a fine life.

The last dog my mom had needed double kneecap surgery. 5k