Anyone have any experience of Cruciate Ligament surgery in dogs?

[BringOnTheRainNow]

My small terrier type dog has a shattered cruciate ligament which causes her to limp and she is in pain with it. (Since it started the vet put her on painkillers which seem to be working).

Vet has booked her in for ACL surgery next week, whereby they put a stitch in.

I was a bit shocked at the injury and diagnosis so didn't ask as many questions as I should have. I know the vet said the op has a good outcome normally, has anyone here any experience of the op in their own dog?

DH has said his mate's dog had the op several months ago and is still limping, so I'm wondering now if I'm doing the right thing? Doggy is 13yoa, maybe the op will be too much stress on her elderly body? Although she's a tough cookie normally!

Oh your poor DDog.

As you've had no responses, I'd ask @MNHQ to move this over to The Doghouse. You're bound to get some responses in there

My small terrier (JRT x) broke his several years ago but the vet only prescribed rest and painkillers, saying that an operation on small dogs was pointless as they healed on their own. Which it did. Took a while but he was soon racing around again. Initially he only limped out to the garden on 3 legs to pee/poo and it did take several weeks before he was able to weight bear but I'm glad he didn't have to go through surgery.

My cat needed one. They took so long to decide to do it that she needed an implant, they couldn’t repair it.

Oh thanks so much everyone for replies, and apologies I hadn't realised I had any!

Well doggy has gone in this morning for the op. I'm still conflicted tbh as she's in very good form, getting around fine etc.

But - I can see the leg is still weak, and I feel that the fact that we haven't been walking her any distance is the reason she's in good form.

So fingers crossed it'll go ok and she'll recover. Was heartbreaking watching the vet dragging her away from me this morning! Thanks again.