when looking at a surgical correction to a torn ligament, one of the considerations must be the age and overall health of the dog, the temperament of both the dog and the owner including whether there are other animals in the household. IF the dog is believed to have a partial tear, and some slight improvements shows after a couple weeks of rest/confinement, then it makes sense to continue confinement where possible...but where there is a young active dog, there are other dogs out playing and this dog "suffers" being confined for weeks on end, the owner is frazzled with the barking and whining, then certainly I say have the surgery done and after a shorter rest required post-op, the dog and owner can resume their full activity lifestyle.

Sometimes when we suggest "rest" over "surgery" we're relating to our own dogs and our own disposition...more has to be considered in making the RIGHT decision for YOU.

when looking at a surgical correction to a torn ligament, one of the considerations must be the age and overall health of the dog, the temperament of both the dog and the owner including whether there are other animals in the household. IF the dog is believed to have a partial tear, and some slight improvements shows after a couple weeks of rest/confinement, then it makes sense to continue confinement where possible...but where there is a young active dog, there are other dogs out playing and this dog "suffers" being confined for weeks on end, the owner is frazzled with the barking and whining, then certainly I say have the surgery done and after a shorter rest required post-op, the dog and owner can resume their full activity lifestyle.

Sometimes when we suggest "rest" over "surgery" we're relating to our own dogs and our own disposition...more has to be considered in making the RIGHT decision for YOU.

Thanks for the reply Elaine, I agree with you completely. It's so helpful to get feedback from others, that have experience.

Thanks for the reply Elaine, I agree with you completely. It's so helpful to get feedback from others, that have experience.

One of my pet quality girls tore her ACL, and against recommendations from friends, I had the surgery done. My girl now has a surgical knee, with as much or more arthritis and lameness as she would have had if I had followed friends advice and given her 9 months of crate rest. On the other hand, none of us would have survived 9 months of crate rest with that girl, which is how the ACL got torn in the first place.

One of my pet quality girls tore her ACL, and against recommendations from friends, I had the surgery done. My girl now has a surgical knee, with as much or more arthritis and lameness as she would have had if I had followed friends advice and given her 9 months of crate rest. On the other hand, none of us would have survived 9 months of crate rest with that girl, which is how the ACL got torn in the first place.

A great many bulldogs that have damaged their knees, thru partial or complete tears in their cruciate ligament (anterior or cranial ligament)will develop arthritis eventually in those joints, if they've healed with rest or undergone corrective surgery. I have serious doubts whether sufficient arthritic scarring has occurred in the knees of a two year old dog with apparent comfortable mobility. I certainly feel its time to repeat my old adage: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT. That certainly would apply to the Boog's knees. I also agree with the recommendation to start this dog on glucosamine/condroitin supplements daily (even if you are feeding a food that contains some of these because that amount is relatively low).

A great many bulldogs that have damaged their knees, thru partial or complete tears in their cruciate ligament (anterior or cranial ligament)will develop arthritis eventually in those joints, if they've healed with rest or undergone corrective surgery. I have serious doubts whether sufficient arthritic scarring has occurred in the knees of a two year old dog with apparent comfortable mobility. I certainly feel its time to repeat my old adage: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT. That certainly would apply to the Boog's knees. I also agree with the recommendation to start this dog on glucosamine/condroitin supplements daily (even if you are feeding a food that contains some of these because that amount is relatively low).

Boog is doing great, acts like he never even had surgery! As far as his knees go, we're just going to leave it alone. I'll give him the supplements though. Thanks again everybody.

Boog is doing great, acts like he never even had surgery! As far as his knees go, we're just going to leave it alone. I'll give him the supplements though. Thanks again everybody.

I get my joint supplement from my vet and the insurance covers it. It is called Novo-Flex and is glucosamine 500 + condroitin 400. I also give him msm and wild alaska salmon oil.

I get my joint supplement from my vet and the insurance covers it. It is called Novo-Flex and is glucosamine 500 + condroitin 400. I also give him msm and wild alaska salmon oil.

I did not know that. Hmmmm Interesting.

I did not know that. Hmmmm Interesting.

and give 1 a day per my vet.

and give 1 a day per my vet.

other breeds, this is normal for them and no reason to rush into surgery unless there is a problem with pain and walking. I was told this 35 years ago by a professor at the UofPA veterinary school and he brought his whole class in to show them the difference between Bulldogs and any other breed.

other breeds, this is normal for them and no reason to rush into surgery unless there is a problem with pain and walking. I was told this 35 years ago by a professor at the UofPA veterinary school and he brought his whole class in to show them the difference between Bulldogs and any other breed.

One of my 8 year old jumped off our king sized bed. It is quite high. He started limping. After 3 days of it not getting any better I took him to the vet. They did xrays etc, and came to the conclusion he had a full tear. He would not put weight on it at ALL. They wanted to do an ortho surgeon consult. I wanted to wait and do total crate rest plus put him on a glucosamine /chondrotin. Well....let me tell you after a month of crate rest and taking out on leash only and putting on this supplement called HylaSport, I noticed in that month him slowly putting weight on it, and progressing to where he is his old self. I have had other friends that have had this happen to their bully. Of course I didn't do surgery. Despite even if you have surgery, realistically if he is getting around fine, put him on a supplement, and in reality, I know many bulldogs as they age, get a little bit of arthritis...just as us humans do. Good Luck.

One of my 8 year old jumped off our king sized bed. It is quite high. He started limping. After 3 days of it not getting any better I took him to the vet. They did xrays etc, and came to the conclusion he had a full tear. He would not put weight on it at ALL. They wanted to do an ortho surgeon consult. I wanted to wait and do total crate rest plus put him on a glucosamine /chondrotin. Well....let me tell you after a month of crate rest and taking out on leash only and putting on this supplement called HylaSport, I noticed in that month him slowly putting weight on it, and progressing to where he is his old self. I have had other friends that have had this happen to their bully. Of course I didn't do surgery. Despite even if you have surgery, realistically if he is getting around fine, put him on a supplement, and in reality, I know many bulldogs as they age, get a little bit of arthritis...just as us humans do. Good Luck.

One of my 8 year old jumped off our king sized bed. It is quite high. He started limping. After 3 days of it not getting any better I took him to the vet. They did xrays etc, and came to the conclusion he had a full tear. He would not put weight on it at ALL. They wanted to do an ortho surgeon consult. I wanted to wait and do total crate rest plus put him on a glucosamine /chondrotin. Well....let me tell you after a month of crate rest and taking out on leash only and putting on this supplement called HylaSport, I noticed in that month him slowly putting weight on it, and progressing to where he is his old self. I have had other friends that have had this happen to their bully. Of course I didn't do surgery. Despite even if you have surgery, realistically if he is getting around fine, put him on a supplement, and in reality, I know many bulldogs as they age, get a little bit of arthritis...just as us humans do. Good Luck.

One of my 8 year old jumped off our king sized bed. It is quite high. He started limping. After 3 days of it not getting any better I took him to the vet. They did xrays etc, and came to the conclusion he had a full tear. He would not put weight on it at ALL. They wanted to do an ortho surgeon consult. I wanted to wait and do total crate rest plus put him on a glucosamine /chondrotin. Well....let me tell you after a month of crate rest and taking out on leash only and putting on this supplement called HylaSport, I noticed in that month him slowly putting weight on it, and progressing to where he is his old self. I have had other friends that have had this happen to their bully. Of course I didn't do surgery. Despite even if you have surgery, realistically if he is getting around fine, put him on a supplement, and in reality, I know many bulldogs as they age, get a little bit of arthritis...just as us humans do. Good Luck.

In answer to your question, "What made the vet look at his legs?" He just gave him a really thorough examination, and apparently he felt a "gap" or something in his knee. The fact that he's not limping really makes me wonder!

In answer to your question, "What made the vet look at his legs?" He just gave him a really thorough examination, and apparently he felt a "gap" or something in his knee. The fact that he's not limping really makes me wonder!

be visible on xray - the only way to tell is manipulation of the joint and even then its more of an educated guess... whether its torn or how torn it is. The orthopedic surgeon recommended immediate surgery - we opted for crate rest and she's been limp free for a year now.

I agree with onslowsmom... get a 2nd opinion. ( or dont since he isn't showing any symptoms) What made the vet look at his legs? Sounds like he's after your wallet to me...

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be visible on xray - the only way to tell is manipulation of the joint and even then its more of an educated guess... whether its torn or how torn it is. The orthopedic surgeon recommended immediate surgery - we opted for crate rest and she's been limp free for a year now.

I agree with onslowsmom... get a 2nd opinion. ( or dont since he isn't showing any symptoms) What made the vet look at his legs? Sounds like he's after your wallet to me...

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I had a dog that tore his ACL and was told by my surgeon, that a torn ACL ( cruciate ) will NOT show up on an xray. The only way it can be diagnosed is with a specific manipulation test called the "drawer" test. If your dog had a torn cruciate, he would be exhibiting a limp. If it were me I would let my dog heal from his palate surgery and then take the dog for a second opinion, perhaps to a veterinary surgeon, that can perform the drawer test. A torn cruciate is not an emergency and so you do not need to rush into a surgery at this point. But I think a second opinion is in order.
My dog had a limp for months, slight as it may be, he still limped. We tried crate rest, different pain meds, and he still limped. He was diagnosed in Aug. and I finally elected to have the surgery the following January, so as I said, no need to rush into anything at this time. Best of luck to you.

I had a dog that tore his ACL and was told by my surgeon, that a torn ACL ( cruciate ) will NOT show up on an xray. The only way it can be diagnosed is with a specific manipulation test called the "drawer" test. If your dog had a torn cruciate, he would be exhibiting a limp. If it were me I would let my dog heal from his palate surgery and then take the dog for a second opinion, perhaps to a veterinary surgeon, that can perform the drawer test. A torn cruciate is not an emergency and so you do not need to rush into a surgery at this point. But I think a second opinion is in order.
My dog had a limp for months, slight as it may be, he still limped. We tried crate rest, different pain meds, and he still limped. He was diagnosed in Aug. and I finally elected to have the surgery the following January, so as I said, no need to rush into anything at this time. Best of luck to you.

his pain was quite visible, wouldn't put weight on it etc., Onslow's was partially torn and after months rest it has healed enough that the vet ok'd him for regular activity. It's possible that your boy is only partially torn also. I do know that by us opting not to do the surgery that we will probably be dealing with arthritis at a later time. We now supplement with Glucosamine G3 Synovi chews.

I'm sure others will chime in with their experience. Our vet diagnosed this by knee manipulation. She told us it would not be visible by x-ray. I would def. get a 2nd opinion if it was me. Best wishes.

his pain was quite visible, wouldn't put weight on it etc., Onslow's was partially torn and after months rest it has healed enough that the vet ok'd him for regular activity. It's possible that your boy is only partially torn also. I do know that by us opting not to do the surgery that we will probably be dealing with arthritis at a later time. We now supplement with Glucosamine G3 Synovi chews.

I'm sure others will chime in with their experience. Our vet diagnosed this by knee manipulation. She told us it would not be visible by x-ray. I would def. get a 2nd opinion if it was me. Best wishes.

Thanks Jessica, I would like to put him on a supplement. What is the dosage of glucosamine/ chrondotin, that he should take?

Thanks Jessica, I would like to put him on a supplement. What is the dosage of glucosamine/ chrondotin, that he should take?