Ozzy (4 years old) started limping last week so I brought him to work with me and we did xrays. The vet looked at them and said he had moderate hip dysplasia and severe arthritis in both knees. He sent them off to a board certified radiologist and to top it off, he thinks that he has torn both crucites (not sure if they are partial or full - it was hard to tell with all the arthritis) and he doesn't think surgery will help much because of the severe arthritis.

I am supposed to meet with him next week to go over the percentage of improvement he thinks ACL surgery would help. I can't bear to see my Ozzy in pain. He is staying strong but it is obvious that he is in pain.
The one good thing is that the vet didn't notice any muscle atrophy in his hind end yet. We just had an Hydrotherapy place open up for pets so I want to try that. They have a heated pool with resistance and an underwater treadmill. Has anyone tries these?
He is on a strict diet and has about 10-15 more pounds to lose. He is also on excercise restriction (now if I can just keep him from climbing on the couch). It is hard for him to watch all the other dogs play so we try to stimulate him in other ways.
Please keep my Ozzy in your thoughts. I love him so much. I will keep everyone updated to his progress.
Stacie
OK. So here is what we found out from the radiologist. It is definately a bi-lateral chronic ACL issue. The good news is he does think that, despite his arthritis, the surgery should help him get back to 90%. Not to bad. The bad news is, I sent some recent x-rays of my Saint Bernard and he also has at least one knee (only had xrays of his left knee) that has chronic ACL injury. So now I have to somehow come up with $2800 x 3 to cover each knee. My hubbie has offered to sell his boat, so that will definately help.
I could use anyones experience with recovery of ACL surgery. I know I can only do 1 knee at a time with Ozzy, but do you think I should do Ozzy and Harley at the same time so they can recover together. We also have a very energetic 6 month old newfie that is not going to appreciate not being able to play with his buddies for so long.
Stacie