Age 9 1/2, ACL surgery?

[Joannaboo]

I am no stranger to the ACL surgery with my rotties. My female Justice had both knees done before the age of 3. Needless to say we lost her last year to bone cancer, at age 9 1/2. Now we are faced with a second knee surgery for our male, Titan. He is a healthy 9 1/2 year old rottie, who had knee surgery on his right leg in Oct. 2004. Now he needs it on his left leg. I am torn as to what to do, mostly because of his age. I faced the reality of my dogs life expectancy not being past 10 years a long time ago. What are the chances that we do this surgery and lives another 2-3 years. I need some advice. My vets think that he is healthy enough to handle it, but at his age, is it really a good idea? Please help!

[Sam's Mom]

I am with you in your thinking about 10 years being the norm. But there are 13 year old Rotties too. I do not have an answer for you but I will say I would have the same concerns faced with your decision. Being a Mom is so hard sometimes. My only advice is...listen to and trust your heart...you'll do the right thing!!

[brunie's mom]

I guess it depends on the dog.
Is he active and spry? does he have arthritis? Do you think it will take him a long time to bounce back after the surgery?
It is a big surgery....and a VERY long rehab. It would be a shame after all the time, pain, discomfort and money...and the poor dog died in 6 months of something.

If it was my dog I would not do it...if fact I did not do it. We had a Collie/Shepherd mix, that tore his ACL at the age of 14. We decided to just keep him quiet, and give him pain meds. and some time to heal. Since it was a tear...it did heal after about 6 months . He did live to 16.

You have a very hard choice to make.

Gina

[AngelBunny]

Oh, for a crystal ball!

What a tough decision.

If you got your dog from a breeder, how long did the dam and sire live? I know that's not a guarantee, but perhaps talking to your dog's breeder might give insight.

I've never had a dog with ACL issues--my bane is cancer--so I can't speak from personal experience.

[swboro]

My boy was 5 when he had his right ACl repaired by TPLO. At 9 3/4 he tore his left ACL. It was suspected to be a complete tear.

He has some arthritis in his spine but has checked out otherwise fine in his yearly exams. While he is a rescue, I know his lineage and 12 - 13 years is not unusual.

I would have made the same decision if I knew his lineage or not. Before the tear he was a happy, active wonderful companion. I could not leave him in the pain he was experiencing. Pain medication was not really total relief and he could not be the happy active dog he has evolved to after 5 years of neglect(before me).

We had surgery but instead of the TPLO, I choose the extra capsular repair - the original type surgery. It was less invasive, less anesthesia and while the post-op quiet time was a little longer, the recovery was easier.

He turned 10 y/o 4 months after the surgery was performed. It has now been 6 months after surgery. He again is a happy, active dog. I had him to one of our pet stores today where they know and love him. He ran around greeting everyone, checking out their purchases and going behind the counter to 'help out' and steal treats. After a horrible start in life, I want him to be happy, be healthy and at peace.

For my situation, I don't regret this at all. My boy could die tomorrow and I know that I did everything that I could to make his life comfortable and peaceful. And he has returned to full activity. Yes he'll be on supplements like Glycoflex for ever but he has been since his first surgery - nothing new.

It is a completely personal decision based upon your dog - you know him the best of anyone. And you have a better understanding of his current health - activity before injury and his tolerance for recovery.

I know you'll listen to the doctors and your heart and make the best decision for your dog.

[staceymm11]

If he's 9 1/2 and healthy why would you even be questioning this? No doubt about it he should have the surgery. My girl is 11 & I'm about to have a total elbow replacement done on her. She's healthy as can be other then her elbow dysplasia. My girl is my life and I'm going to do everything & anything to keep her around as long as I can.

[Sam's Mom]

Originally Posted by staceymm11

If he's 9 1/2 and healthy why would you even be questioning this? No doubt about it he should have the surgery. My girl is 11 & I'm about to have a total elbow replacement done on her. She's healthy as can be other then her elbow dysplasia. My girl is my life and I'm going to do everything & anything to keep her around as long as I can.

"No doubt"???? No offense intended but....In my opinion...a person would have to be a moron to not at least consider all the information (ie.age, pain & recovery time) to make an informed decision. There are "NO" absolutes in this life.

[Excitium]

Joannaboo, is the ACL a total tear/separation where it has come detached from the bone or has been totally severed? If not there are other alternatives I would try that are much less costly and stressful on the dog.

[Joannaboo]

We have all the tests back and the my vet (Whom I trust completely) says that all of his major organs are working fine and he could very well live 3 more years. We have decided to do the surgery. It is costly, but it is a "fixable" problem. We just lost our Justice to bone cancer 6 months ago, there was no hope for her, but there is for Titan. In addition to the long rehab, we also have a toddler running around. The next six months should prove to be pretty interesting.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and advice. I will be sure to let you know how everything goes. He is scheduled for surgery this coming Friday. Thanks again!!!

[Joannaboo]

Well, we have decided to do the surgery. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and advice. My husband and I decided that since it is a "Fixable" problem, we need to do it. Losing Justice to bone cancer 6 months ago was devastating to my husband. And if Titans problem can be fixed and he is in good health, we are gonna do it!
The next few months of rehab should prove interesting, as we also have a toddler running around the house with him. And that is a whole different story, my dog who has never liked a child he has come in contact with has been great with our daughter.

Thanks again to everyone who responded. I will update you as we go, he is scheduled for surgery this coming Friday.

[staceymm11]

Joannaboo I think you made a GREAT decision to go through with the surgery! Titan will thank you for taking away his pain. He will do great with the surgery & I'm sure he will surprise you with how well he recovers. They are wonderful, unbelievable creatures! Good luck & keep us posted on the outcome!

[alexav]

Add me to the list of supporters regarding your decision.
Alexa had a TPLO at 9 1/2 too. People said we were nuts, but I felt that if it gave her even just a few more months of a happy, mobile life, it was worth it.
She ended up living another 2 years and was able to enjoy most of it due to the surgery.
I hope all goes well and that you are blessed with more years of companionship with your Rottie.

[Joannaboo]

Well, Titan had his surgery this past Friday. He could come home today, but we decided to board him there until Thursday. With a toddler under foot and we are expecting snow and ice over the next 2 days. I don't want an open incision and a dog in pain around our daughter and the impending weather. Justice seemed to heal much better, on her second surgery, when she stayed at the vet for the week following, while we were on vacation.

The surgery itself went fine. They were able to repair the joint. But - (there always seems to be a but) - when they opened him up they found proliferated tissue in and around the joint. They were able to remove 80% of it and send it off to pathology. We are saying our prayers that it is not cancer. It could be scar tissue, or benign tissue, or a few other things. I love and trust my vet completely, and I know by the conversation we had, that he thinks it is cancer. He has never been wrong before when it comes to diagnosing my dogs, he hopes he is wrong this time! We will find out in a few days. Please keep Titan in your thoughts and prayers. I don't think we can handle cancer again, we just lost Justice 6 months ago to osteosarcoma.

I will keep you posted.

[aesposi1]

I just went through ACL surgery with my rottie and the recovery time was not as long as I expected. I guess it depends on how well you think he will recover but you don't want him to limp all of the time either.