PDSA - Dog needs operation.

My terrier was 13 when he ruptured both cruciate ligaments, a few months apart. As he was a placid boy and small enough to carry, I chose not to have surgery and he recovered perfectly well with crate rest. I carried him outside and he could hobble away on three legs to relieve himself, then happy to be lifted back indoors and into the crate. It may be less easy for a bigger or younger dog, but vets are very quick to recommend surgery for something that will heal well with rest.

ETA he lived until almost 18 and was as agile as he’d ever been!

As an alternative, see if your vet has a payment plan to offer. We have the small animal hospital connected to the University here, and I believe they can offer treatment for less - might be worth enquiring if you have similar. I hope your dog makes a good recovery, and as others have said, if you set up a go fund me page I will happily contribute.

Someone in local area had to crowd fund for his dog with exactly same injury. Would have qualified for PDSA treatment but not available in the area. Kind of highlights that those contributing to the charity are assisting those in specific areas only. Same with some other very well known charities, location specific, but yet national appeals.

Germanshepherdsmum

We paid several thousands of pounds for a cruciate ligament repair about 8 years ago. I would never call veterinary treatment for a much loved pet a rip off. Dreadful expression.

Am assuming you're referring to my "rip off" comment. Well it's true, surveys have been done, veterinary care HAS gone very expensive, more folk with pets are struggling. I've had dogs all my life, would NEVER be without them, have also had experience with canine epilepsy. Now, I'm fortunate, the vet knows me so prescriptions for controlled drugs, no problems (and I used to have several months supply in stock at any one time, these are the type the vets keep in the safe!) But i was/am lucky with my vets, others not so, some vets WONT give big prescriptions for controlled meds, only a month at a time, that soon adds up. My vet has been prepaid for my 2 current ratbags to be spayed, their price is a lot less than neighbouring practices. You want to know why they have increased their prices? 1, because all.costs have gone up,.2 because they are inundated with new clients getting a pet, bringing said pet for treatment then doing a runner! They've lost a good sum of money because some folk want the joys of pets but don't want to pay for treatment!

That was 22 years ago and sadly inflation has gone through the roof since then

Germanshepherdsmum

My dog had worked out how to get around on three legs the next day!

That is good to know, I do think I'm over worrying .

It never crossed my mind to do a Go Fund Me page but I've set one up now - 'Help Bailey get back on her feet' thanks for the suggestion.

GSM, smiled when I read your post. I cannot leave my two little dogs so my son will travel alone to Australia for his brothers 70th birthday. Apart from the length of the flights, I cannot contemplate leaving the dogs. They are a constant in my life. They sleep in my bedroom and have beds in different rooms everywhere. They are with me almost 24/7 except when I go shopping or go out to lunch or dinner. We did have 5 Jack Russells but sadly they all died of old age. My older dog Marcus, is at least 14-15 and Polly is 5. I just cannot imagine life without them. I do wish your dog well and hope the op. Goes well, Elless

Dogs are not what I would call a ‘luxury’
To me they are essential to life health and happiness
They are a gym subscription a holiday and entertainment all in one
And they are friends
We can’t go away at the moment
We have to wait till the ‘pups’ are old enough to be neutered ie when they stop growing which will be another year
But I would rather have them than a holiday!

My Jack Russell injured her cruciate ligament about 6 years ago and I opted for the operation which was a success and she was back to her lively self.mit cost around £2500 then. The crate repair rest was about six weeks and not fun for her. Last year around November she did it again to the other leg. I again took her to the vet and considered the options. I was serious resigned to having the expense of the operation again, but took some time to think things over as we had a holiday planned during which time my dog went to friends. When we collected her ten days later she seemed slightly improved but I took her to the vet again expecting her to be booked in for the op.mThe vet talked to me in detail and said that an alternative was an injection which has a very good outcome. This costs about £100 each time and can be done every six weeks or so if needed. He also told me that his own dog damaged their cruciate ligament in one leg and then did the other leg a few weeks later. He said that he did NOT have the operation for his dog but gave them injections and now his dog is as right as rain. What he did say that surprised me was that the outcome, operation or injections, is the same, only with the operation recovery is much quicker but after a longer period of time of
injections the outcome is the same too. I have decided not to put my 14 year old through the operation and now she seems fine, she has had three injections over a period of about three months and now getting more active every day. I do pick her up to do the stairs but she loves her long walks just as before. I also do think that the dogs weight may be a consideration as well. Mine weighs 7.5 kilos so is a light weight.. I was lucky with my vet who gave me an honest opinion and helped me choose a much cheaper option for my dog. The fact that he didn’t do the operation on his dog helped make my mind up too.

Good luck Elless, l hope all goes well with PDSA. I haven't personally used them. My brother used them as his vet had a plan in place with them for people who qualified for assistance.
His JRT needed an operation costing over £3000.00. PDSA paid 2/3 of the cost and my brother paid the rest on a payment plan.
I agree with all of the sentiments that pets are not a luxury but a lifeline to so many of us. After an horrendous year, I adopted Toby, who is 12, he had spent over 8 years in a Romanian shelter. He is the most gentle, kind dog you could ever meet. My SEN granddaughter loves him.
I couldn't get insurance for him either due to his age. I'm not bothered what it costs for him to enjoy the remaining time he has left.
Please let us know how it goes.

If you can’t get PDSA many verbs offer a payment plan after a credit check.

Vets not verbs!

Thank you again for the information, unfortunately our local PDSA hospital don't do the operation so I am going through the Animal Trust. The injections sound like a good idea because even though she has suffered trauma to her left leg they have said the right leg is starting to go so I will ask.

Strange papyrus
I have to agree with you 💯

My pup tore his cruciate ligament last year, and the costs were staggering. We didn't have insurance either, and let me tell you, it's tough when unexpected vet bills hit. We ended up going through PDSA, and I can't speak highly enough of them.

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