Puppy Knee Surgery/Feeling Hopeless

[vicstasi]

Hi All

This is the first time ever that I have had a dog need to have to have surgery. Im in Chicago and my vet said that my puppy may need to have knee surgery. He will decide by next week.

Is there anyplace that I can go that would offer me surgery that wouldnt cost so much? I checked into pet insurance but it wont cover pre-existing-conditions. I really need help and I feel so hopeless. I rescued this puppy and now I feel like such a failure.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Victoria

[travelin4fun]

There is a list of orginisations posted on a sticky up above. One of them is baised in IL. I know that Yorkies are know to have knee problems. I hope for can get the help you need and you and your new best friend can be happy and healthy.

[dwerten]

is this for luxating patella or acl rupture/tear? Has an orthopedic reviewed the case as before surgery i would want a board certified orthopedic to review if it were my little one

also how about contacting the rescue you rescued from for help?

[vicstasi]

I havent contacted the rescue place because I didnt want the rescue to think Im such a bad person to have had him only 2 months and he is now hurt. He jumped and fell on his leg and then was hopping on three legs. The Vet said it was an acl tear. I dont think he is a board surgeon? I am besides myself. I have another small dog and she is 3 and nothing like this happened to her.

I could just cry. This is so devistating to me. I have been reading on the internet that surgery isnt allways the answer. I dont want to put him through all this if it isnt necessary.

[ArmaniMan]

Your not a bad person, we had a dog that had an ACL tear, got it just jumping off the couch as a young pup... she had surgery to repair that and a Luxating patella at just under a year old... today she is almost 5 and doing great.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I would maybe get a second opinion from a board certified vet-this should help you to feel better. I am not sure that the rescue will hold you personally responsible for your puppy being a puppy. There is no way that you can predict what they will do.

I hope that everything works out for you and your little one. Hugs.

[Patti]

Sorry to hear your little one is hurt. I had a yorkie years ago that tore his ACL and one vet said he needed surgery and one said in small dogs sometimes you don't have to do surgery. I had him looked at by a specialist and they did the surgery. He still never put full weight on the leg so I don't know if the surgery was helpful or not. Maybe the rescue has a vet they work with that would do surgery at a lower cost. Don't blame yourself it is impossible to keep them from jumping 24/7.

[Kirby]

Awe...I'm sorry your puppy is hurt. I agree, a second opinion is in order. I did the same for my pup who just went through double knee surgery. I was scared and confused at first, but after venting here, I got a second opinion who agreed that she needed the surgery and it was better to do it sooner than later. Sydney is doing very well. She's acting as if nothing ever happened. She's 10-months old. Yorkie's have a great deal of sisu (fortitude).

[ladyjane]

Please do not beat yourself up. In *most* cases with an ACL tear on a pup it is due to an unstable knee to begin with. Normally they have LP!

I agree with the others who suggested that a board certified orthopedic vet should review this case! Then, you will know for sure what way to go.

In the meantime, you might want to apply for Care Credit. Many vets accept it and often the loan is interest free over a set period of time...important that you pay it off during that time though or the interest will really rack up. Some also offer low interest rates through Care Credit.

You could contact the rescue, but honestly there is nothing they could do other than take the pup back and care for it themselves. Maybe they would know a low cost vet, but beware. Some vets who offer cheaper fixes are not always the best.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[vicstasi]

I will certainly get a second opinion. I would never give my puppy back to the rescue! I really love him sooo much! I will do everything I can to get him better.

Thanks to you all for all the suggestions and thoughts.

Victoria

[ladyjane]

If you pm me your email address, I can send you another list of orgs....there might be something different than what is on that sticky. Someone sent it to me and I have not compared the two yet.

Try them all...you just never know!

[ladyjane]

Oh! Megansmomma is in the Chi area...I am going to PM her. Maybe she can give you some vet suggestions..

[chandracz]

Hi,

I live about 45 min. away from Chicago and have a WONDERFUL vet! Let me know if you would like the info. I would never take my baby anywhere else. They're not only a vet but an emergency vet also (so they're 24 hours). All my family and friends use them!

[ladyjane]

Anyone know any board cert. ortho vets in Chi? That is what I highly recommend to the OP.

[chandracz]

My vet is... She was a professor from TX too.

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Anyone know any board cert. ortho vets in Chi? That is what I highly recommend to the OP.