re: Dog with a torn ACL

Depends on the dog
My father in law (retired now) did surgery on big dogs with blown ACL and used a thick almost fishing line to make new acl and for dogs that walk don’t run and don’t jump it works and less expensive.
I had a French Britney and she ran every time opened door to hunt. Had to do more serious fix from expert. Did both legs eventually one at a time $5k and gave me a break on other leg $3.5k.
If blew one often they will blow the other as they favor it.
I got a few years more of her pointing birds so worth it and I could afford it but keep in mind may be both knees eventually.

Tough call on older dog , how much pain can the dog walk to go out?

We did TPLO on our 12 YO Aussie and she’s healed but her arthritis is so bad it probably wasn’t worth it. She probably has another 12 months or so before it’s time

Old dog like that doesn’t “have to have” a tplo. Can get lateral suture surgery for a fraction of the cost and that will at least stabilize the knee enough for him to live out a normal old dog life. Most 14 yo dogs don’t have to run marathons but you won’t them be comfortable enough to get up walk to the food bowl and outside to the bathroom. Other options people have mentioned for rest can help with some dogs but they usually develop arthritis

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14 year old mixed hound dog. It is really hard to justify 5k, and possibly 10k (if the other tears) for the surgery right now, with a family and bills everything else.

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How is this even a debate???... let nature take its course... you tripping even going to get that diagnosis for a 14 year old dog... torn ACL as if he a running back

A friend who always has German Shepherds was moving to a new house and the dog was on the second floor and saw another dog outside the open window and jumped tearing it's ACL.

Vet wanted $$$$$ to fix and he found an old timey Vet in Hammond area that treated the dog with a leg brace and the knee healed.

Look for someone like this

With the crazy cost of making it from month to month in this economy, I could not see any justification to put out that kind of money for a dog's surgery, much less one that 14 yrs. old and statistically nearing the end of its life if it hasn't surpassed that already.

Thanks for all the advice.
As of now, giving him pain medication, glucosamine, anti-inflammatory meds, letting him rest, and getting him a good a good brace and going to let this ride out for now.
It doesn't seem wise to spend the money on surgery, as tight as things are these days. We love our dog, but can't dish out the dough needed for it right now. Hopefully it can heal on its own.

I’ve done the surgery twice. Once for my lab and another time when my Aussie jumped off the bed. Not going to make them be in pain the rest of their lives plus I’m a softie for the canines. Vet always worked with us on payment.

Sounds like you are doing great. The risk of arthritis from not having a surgical repair is moot due to age.