Speaking of Pets...Dog Probs.

[BC69]

Do you ever notice you can spend hours online at other forums dedicated to certain topics, like dogs, and not trust it...so you come to your trusty car forum for advice! I thought it topical since so many pet photos are being posted in another thread.

I have a 2yr old English Bulldog, named Chubs. We got him because he lives in an apt in the city and we wanted a fairly lazy dog. A lazy dog he is not, he loves other dogs and plays like a nut. That caught up to him this winter as he started to limp a bit after play and it became more frequent. The vet checked him out and thought he might have a partial ACL tear. He has been on rest/pain meds for a month (meds only a week). But now seems to be getting worse. Surgery seems like the only other option - but its all in around $5K (This is Boston so city prices put it to the high end).

When you read online you have 50% of people say it is a bad idea, it doesnt work and they can be in more pain/ and 50% say its the only option and to do it.

I dont need a bulldog to play and run and hunt and swim...just to be happy and healthy for walks. The money is certainly a factor and will really be stretching my limits on all ends (I know bulldogs to begin with are expensive, but we got him super cheap - long story but the whole litter had died and the mom so they weren't sure about him). Anyone have this issue with their dog? What did you ultimately end up doing about it?

I know we have a vet or two on here, so their thoughts would be great too!

[Sieg]

One thing I've noticed with modern day veterinary medicine is they have become masters of leveraging human emotion and financial reserves. They're in the profession more for the love of money than the animals in some cases.

What really opened my eyes to this is a vet in the farming community of NE Oregon by the family ranch. We took our 14 year old lab in there once because he wasn't acting right. They treated him like a king, did a thorough exam including quick blood work on site, filled a prescription one site included pill-pockets. We went to the counter to pay (expecting at least a few hundred) and the bill was $79.

Surgery is a little different, but I've seen rates to remove a quite common bowel obstruction vary From $900-$2500. Our "new" vet wanted $1,150 to neuter our two males (65 & 120 lbs) without prosthetic implants which I would imagine are priced like cubic zirconium.

Thus, you might check rates with a rural vet if it's not too inconvenient. If it is, it's all negotiable, put it out for bid and let them know you're doing it and see what happens.

[Ketzer]

If it's not an emergency, get a second or third opinion and price.
That being said, we have easily spent a nice PT car on our pets over the years, I haven't kept track because I don't want to know....


Jeff-

[BC69]

Thanks guys - I certainly do want to get other opinions, and will call around. Most vets will understandably want to see him, and maybe x-rays, so around here that is $300 just to get some opinions and a few of those might quickly erase any savings!

[intocarss]

My friends GF is a vet. I asked her your question, here's her reply

"If they can't control the pain with medication they have to either operate or euthanize the dog. If they don't have the money there is a company called care credit".

Hope this helps and hope your lil buddy makes a full recovery!!

[Evaporate]

Originally Posted by BC69

. That caught up to him this winter as he started to limp a bit after play and it became more frequent. The vet checked him out and thought he might have a partial ACL tear.
When you read online you have 50% of people say it is a bad idea, it doesnt work and they can be in more pain/ and 50% say its the only option and to do it.

'Thought he might have a partial tear'? I would get an MRI done first to get a solid conclusion on type of injury. My dog has twisted her ankle on a couple of occasions. The first time, she ended up in a hard cast for a while. She ended up fine afterwards. My in-laws have had there 11 year old dog receive an ACL repair plus a hip replacement at the same time for around $7k. As far as the ACL is concerned, she seems to have turned out fine for an older dog. She's getting around really well after several months of healing from the surgeries.