this might have been a blessing in disguise as i am a firm believer not to rush into acl surgery - the dog should be rested 2 months before even considering surgery for acl injury as in small dogs many times it is not necessary. My dd did this to her leg a year ago jumping off doggie stairs and she is totally fine now. What happens is the scar tissue builds up and acts like a tendon so they do not need the surgery 80% of the time in small dogs.
Join the group conservative management on yahoogroups.com as many people opt not to have this surgery and with a dog with a heart condition i would never risk it. Keep him in a small area no jumping, running, etc and on a leash when going out to go potty so he does not run off.
I spoke to two orthopedics and two vets when this happened to dee dee and one vet which i have come to not care for after this is the only one wanting to rush dd into surgery and the other three said 2 months of rest first then we will go from there and she is fine now. Now after 2 months if dog is still lifting leg then yes surgery is most likely in order
there is no pain after the initial injury it just slides out once in a while and they lift their leg and then it goes back into place so you will see off and on lifting of the leg. I am not happy this vet is wanting to rush a toy breed into this surgery
have you spoke to an orthopedic or are you dealing wth a regular vet as in my opinion i would only have a board certified orthopedic surgeon do this surgery