ACL Surgery for 14 year old dog;

Question
QUESTION: We have a 14 year old Westie who has been getting treated for 2.5 years with chemo for GME. When she was first diagnosed, we were told she wouldn't last through the night. Well, here we are 2.5 years later. She had ACL surgery on her left hind leg 3 years ago. She has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus on her right hind leg now. She gets 12.5mg of prednisone once a day. She is limping, but at other times seems to be fine. She has been getting Omega Skin/Coat supplement since she was a puppy and has amazing coat. I put her on Life Abundance Joint tablets 1/2 day and Condroiton & Glucosamine (250/250) once per day. The orthopedic vet told me initially that he wouldn't recommend surgery on her because of her GME and age. Now after speaking with her neurologist; they are vacillating and saying that she should be fine after the surgery. One of the things he told me in the initial consult was that she might not make it through the anesthesia, due to her age. Other than the fact that she is 14, has GME, and it would cost $3600; we are thinking it is not the best way to go and want to give her every chance on holistic/natural therapies. They put her on tramidol for the next 14 days to see if that helps with the pain.
Any thoughts you can offer are greatly appreciated. We want to do what's best for her, but at the same time, not compromise what is currently a fairly happy and healthy dog.

ANSWER: Hi Rosemary,  Please remember that I am not a VET.  
This is my opinion - NO WAY!
I can't imagine taking the risk on this Senior Citizen Westie.

Would you like to home cook and give some supplements?  
Many Times ACL surgery doesn't take and still the pet lives with a limp and some discomfort.

I have some great alternatives... Glad you are using the Life's Abundance Products.


Let me know if you want to home cook and use herbal help?


Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse

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QUESTION: Thank you. That was our thought as well. I'm willing to try anything, so appreciate your suggestions with regard to food/supplements, etc. She has a very sensitive stomach, so is on a low residue dog food. We've given her chicken and rice and pumpkin many times over the years when she has stomach issues.

ANSWER: Can you tell me what low residue food you are using?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Royal Canin Gasto-Intestinal Low Fat

Answer
Well, I would leave her on this Royal Canin Special recipe. If she is gaining too much weight, let me know and I can give you a home-cooking recipe for low fat and low res.

As far as the Life's Abundance joint tablet, I would double up on that for about 3 weeks.

For any of my readers,  here is the link to this wonderful product.
http://bulldogvitamins.blogspot.com/2011/01/canine-arthritis-joint-and-bone-heal


The prednisone meds may be causing adverse effects on joints and bones.  She needs the drug so you will just have to put up with all the JUNK side effects that goes along with steroid treatments.


AS far as exercise - Please no runs or jumps... Even if you have to do leash control inside the house.  When you are watching TV, you can place her near you with a long leash.
She can't do any jumps at all for long term.
Sorry.......

HOPE this helps.
Glad you are not going to do surgery ..... I would never take the chance.  ( Again, just an opinion and not a diagnosis of her situation)

Blessings!

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net