torn acl 8month old english bulldog

Question
hi recently my 8 month old english bulldog torn his rear left, acl, vet said he must have surgery to correct problem, hes on meticam and a joint supplement, do you think by me crating him during the day from 8:30am to 3:00pm then only leash walks, with very little if none at all activity that it could heel itself and what is the probablity that he will have full use of his leg again, he walks almost normal but you can tell it bothers him a little, but do not know if it is the antibiotics masking the pain thanks for your time  

Answer
Vet's love Bulldogs. They plan their next vacation around them.

First of all, I would take the dog for a second opinion. If it's a complete tear, it may require surgery. However, from what you're telling me, it seem to be healing on it's own. This type of injury literally takes months to recuperate from. Crate rest, leash walking, no playing at all for about a month after all the symptoms have disappeared. Then you have to start out very slowly with exercise.

Antibiotics don't mask pain. Pain meds mask pain. Bulldogs are so impervious to pain that it's really difficult to judge. If a dog is showing pain, it must be very serious pain. A limp isn't something I consider terribly painful because a dog will adjust his activity because the pain keeps him in check, sometimes.  Pain, to me, is when a dog can't put any weight at all on a leg.