Dogs ACL - Meniscus surgery

[GoldenOscar]

The very Saturday after hunting season my dog tore his ACL while we were out throwing the dummy. I went straight to the Vet and he wanted me to put my dog on two weeks of Anti Inflammatory. Its been a few weeks rest and we are no better so surgery is scheduled for next Friday.  $4,000 is the cost from my Vet. I called for a second opinion and that Vet told me WA is very expensive but could probably get the same surgery in Idaho for $1500.

I am not looking to bargain shop my best friend but if anyone on here has been through this or knows a good Idaho Vet to call I would appreciate it.   8 Yr old Golden Retriever - Hard charger and in great shape. (minus his limp)

Thank you

[huntnphool]

You might check WSU.

[Knocker of rocks]

I hope the your pal does swimmingly

[YellowDog]

Took my lab to WSU to have TPLO done on both knees 3 months apart back in 2010 or so. It was $2500....Vets in Lynnwood were $4,000. Sounds like the cost is pretty stable over time. Give WSU a call, they will give you a ballpark cost.

[GoldenOscar]

Thank you!!

[NorseNW]

A bit of a drive but Sun Valley Vet in Ketchum ID.  Dr Randy Acker has large following in the hunting community. $2900 out the door with all the meds.  Very professional and well organized place. 

[fowl smacker]

My lab tore her ACL when she was 4.  Same thing, vet said it would cost $3,700.  I was also told that after the surgery was done, I'd have to keep my dog pretty much immobile for I think it was 4 or 6 weeks.  I'm not sure what kind of temperament your dog has, but my lab was high strung and ready to go.  I knew that keeping her calm wasn't going to happen.  The vet said it will eventually "heal" over time, but I still had to keep her on the calm side.  I went that route knowing I would literally be blowing almost 4K with surgery.  She is 11 now and runs fine and moves fine with no side effects.   Surgery is probably the way to go, but there are other options.  Hope your pup recovers fully either way.

[Shannon]

I second Dr. Acker in Sun Valley Idaho. He has done over 10,000 of these surgeries. I have had him do the surgery twice with each time a great experience. Its a quick surgery for him and he has some specialty hardware he uses that makes it almost bullet proof when he's done. I think he told me last time he hasn't had a screw back out for over 20 years. The dog I had done was a high drive dog also and she did fine. It was two months of no off leash running but after that it was no looking back. The gait is different but the result held up. Good luck. He was way cheaper than anyone local and he can do it with his eyes closed at this point.

[GoldenOscar]

A bit of a drive but Sun Valley Vet in Ketchum ID.  Dr Randy Acker has large following in the hunting community. $2900 out the door with all the meds.  Very professional and well organized place.

Thank you Norse & Shannon!!

[WapitiTalk1]

Yep, Dr Akers in Sun Valley did both rear knees on Gus 4? years ago. He’s the best in the business for these types of procedures.

https://www.svanimal.com/randy-acker-dvm/

[GoldenOscar]

I just wanted to thank everybody for the recommendation to Dr Akers in Sun Valley. I saved probably $4k by making the drive and the vet was great. 2 weeks post surgery and Oscar can put weight on his leg. Taking things slow but we will be back to chasing birds in the fall........Thank you again

[bornhunter]

Great news! Love the labs.

[fowl smacker]

Yes, awesome news!

[NorseNW]

Great to hear!  Definitely follow their rehab schedule.  It takes a bit of time but the results are awesome.  Glad it worked out well.