My cocker spaniel tore her ACL, please help! (credit, school)

[ashmatical23]

My 5 year old cocker spaniel has been diagnosed with a torn ACL. She is 25 pounds and the past couple days seems to be walking quite fine on it. She limped for the first 5. I took her to the vet and they recommended ACL surgery. This ranged from $1900 to $4300 depending on where I took her. I've also read online that dogs under 30 pounds can heal without it. I wan to do what is best for my dog... but surgery CAN be dangerous and it is so expensive. Does anyone have any advice for me.. a cheaper place or dogs that are this weight whom never had the surgery.. how did they do? Thanks so much.

[Mom2Feebs]

Yikes. I have no idea about any of it, but I did want to tell you good luck and that I hope you can find a place that will work with you!

[AlfredB1979]

I wish I could remember where on Spencer Hwy it was, but I believe there is a low cost vet there that could pull this off for a ton cheaper.

My mom had to get knee surgery done on one of her chihuahuas as that knee would pop out on occasion because the groove that holds the kneecap in wasn't deep enough or something like that...that surgery was done for a few hundred bucks if memory serves correct.

Anyway, there are low cost clinics out there, start digging through the phone book.

I would also get a second opinion. Maybe my A&P knowledge doesn't quite apply to dogs, but I would not equate being able to walk with a torn ACL. Just me, though...

[ShelbyGirl1]

A torn ACL is extremely painful! Call around and get a best price...many vets are willing to work out a payment plan. There are many low cost clinics...just google in what ever area of town you are in. But please, don't make your dog suffer.

[nmnita]

wow, I can understand your concerns. I would feel like I was between a rock and hard place. You love and are concerned about your baby but you are also concerned about the cost, especially when she doesn't seem to be in any pain. The first thing I would do is get a second opinion.

Good luck,

Nita

[Poltracker]

I would also check w/ the vet school at A&M if you don't mind the drive. It was a long while ago, but they worked on one of my horses for a very low fee. Of course, students are the ones performing the procedures, but they are overseen.

[travelguy_73]

There is usually an option for a payment plan via Care Credit. I used it when I had dental surgery last year, and it was great paying it off over 12 months (and they even go longer depending on the cost). Many (most?) vets take it as well for the same price as cash.

[rbchamps2]

My girlfriends Cocker did the same thing, he was 6 years old. He had the surgery and is pretty much back to normal, sometimes has a little limp, but you never the same after something like that. I wish I could recommend a vet, but this took place in Massachusetts. Have the surgery done especially with such an active bread.

[Trudysmom]

I had a poodle that had the surgery. She took a while to heal, but did great. Vet bills are high, but part of caring for a pet.

[fordlover]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

I would also check w/ the vet school at A&M if you don't mind the drive. It was a long while ago, but they worked on one of my horses for a very low fee. Of course, students are the ones performing the procedures, but they are overseen.

My parents did this for a Chow they had. Tore one, and it was like 1500 for surgery. A few years later, another leg injury, and they found a Vet school that did the surgery for a few hundred bucks, and the dog did just fine afterwards.