I have a 13 year old mixes breed dog just diagnosed with an ACL tear. Her vet is suggesting surgery but I have a question about how she would do considering her age. Is there an alternative form of treatment?
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I have a 13 year old mixes breed dog just diagnosed with an ACL tear. Her vet is suggesting surgery but I have a question about how she would do considering her age. Is there an alternative form of treatment?
Hello! So sorry to hear about your pup's ACL tear. There are some ways to help manage the tear, but if it is fully torn typically surgery is the only option. The good news is, there are plenty of older pets that have very successful surgeries and do great. My advice, if you do decide to pursue surgery, is to find a board certified surgeon to perform the procedure. Typically with pets that age, a full blood panel is performed prior to surgery to check liver and kidney values, etc. to ensure she is healthy enough to go under anesthesia.
If you decide not to do surgery, then she would need to be strictly cage rested for about 6 weeks. No running, jumping, or playing and only going outside to use the bathroom (on a leash) and then right back in. Your vet should be able to provide some pain medications, anti-inflammatories, and joint supplements as well. If it is a full tear, it likely won't heal on its own, but rest and pain management may help it become more stable. She will likely develop arthritis in that knee if she hasn't already.
Keep in mind also that she has a high chance of blowing the ACL in the other knee due to her overcompensating on the "good" leg.
Lastly, make sure she is at a healthy, lean weight as being overweight can put added stress on the joints.
They do make braces for ACL tears, but they are usually fairly expensive and can cause other issues if they do not fit perfectly.
Hope this helps!
Thank you very much.
Lynn Roberts
Veterinarian
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