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ROMO IS AN 8-year-old Labrador retriever mix with acute lameness in his right rear leg.
He was seen by his veterinarian and diagnosed with a torn anterior (cranial) cruciate ligament. Treatment options include surgical repair, rest and medication to control inflammation and pain, injection(s) of anti-inflammatory medication and a combination of some or all of these.
Romo’s owners were told surgery would be the best choice. They’ve put him on anti-inflammatory medication and have noted some improvement.
Their dilemma is whether they should invest the money in surgery for an older dog.
I must agree that surgery for Romo is probably the best option. Larger dogs need the stability in the knee joint provided by the cruciate ligaments. Without this stability, the lameness worsens. That said, surgery has to be a financial option as well.
For smaller dogs, because they do not put as much weight on the knee joint, rest and anti-inflammatory medication may provide both short-term and long-term relief and allow normal function.
Is surgery worth it for Romo? In my heart and mind, it is all about life quality and it is definitely a better quality of life for a dog when it can walk without dealing with excessive pain regardless of age.