just wondering if anyone on the board has had success with conservative management of a cruciate ligament tear in their large dog? Cirra has had this diagnosis after lameness, and one vet recommends TPLO out of state. Concerned about the many potentially severe complications and have embarked on the long process of trialing conservative management, restricting activity, bracing, etc. Any wise words regarding the "traditional" procedures such as lateral tie either? Cirra is outgoing, exuberant, 16 months old and hard to keep "quiet." All considerations with any surgery, and she is a pyr, so anesthesia concerns reign as well. Felt that she was far too sedated just for xrays even after warning the vet consultant not to dose by weight.....Wel l, we are 3 weeks into the official diagnosis and a total of 3 months into lameness problems with the knee. Arthritis is inevitable with any method of management and just have not wanted to irrevocably change her anatomy without heavy consideration and trial of conservative methods. Wanted to throw this out there as we still agonize every day about this. She is walking, tends to have a habit of partial weighbearing,but weightbears better with the brace, and distractions.. ..Well, enough said for now. Wish us luck with our wild and wonderful gal!
