It's me again - you have me remembering things now. My dog, too, after the initial injury starting getting around very well on three legs and didn't appear to be in any pain......and he wasn't as long as he kept his injuried leg tucked up underneath him. (And, I'm sure he didn't need pain medication at this point).
With the second injury - when I opted not to have surgery. He did exactly as your dog is doing - and very slowly but surely he began putting weight on his injured leg (knee). It did take him several months to get back to what we would call normal use; and it was a long time, especially, before he was willing to jump up on anything. But gradually, and over time, he has done very well.
With his first injury - when I had surgery - it still took a long long time before he got back to using his leg in a normal fashion.
There are three reasons I wouldn't not have surgery for this injury.
1) You do not need to spend so much money on an unecessary surgery.
2) This surgery is unnecessary and usually not done for a dog so small.
3) And, I would rather my dog not undergo amy surgery that is not
absolutely necessary (anesthesia -etc.).
I can't help but think that a lot of vets would rather talk you into having surgery. But, I was lucky. I had done a lot of research. I had a lot of doctors I work with who, themselves, chose not to have this surgery for their smaller dogs. And, my husband was a radiologist - who has seen this injury on films hundreds of times and is well aware of the healing process.
I did a little arguing with my vet for a while - before she finally gave in and admitted that my little dog would probably do well without surgery. She just had to add, "Well, I still think surgery is best."
Again - I can't tell which of my dog's legs was operated on. He gets around wonderfully on both of them.
Good luck - please do a lot of your research on the Internet. I found many many articles written by vets --- and they absolutely have nothing to gain one way or the other.
Keeping your little pup crated and quiet is exactly what you need to do. Darn!
Good luck - again - keep in touch.
Carol Jean
PS: I really want you to save your money and buy your dog a lot of good food, toys, and clothes instead. |