My dog needs ACL surgery

[Jungfraujoch]

What’s your experience of recovery time please?

Our dog had one night in vet hospital and came out weight bearing on all four feet.

He was dopey and uncomfortable for a couple of days. Our dog was crate for 6 weeks and out for short wee seasons.

After 6 weeks he did need a minor cruciate repair but after that back to normal and just needed to increase his exercise gently.

In the first 6 weeks he as not totally crated he came and sat with us on the sofa and in his bed next to me when we worked etc. As long as you are able to restrict his movement.

Totally back to normal and has a happy active life again now.

What size is your dog?

Our super active collie was scanned & xrayed and we were told she needed ACL surgery about 3 years ago.
We were concerned that it might reoccur and also that she would be a hopeless patient - I couldn't see her keeping a cone on given she cannot keep a muzzle on, and when stressed she licks herself (rescue), and her legs would be far too accessible, I could see stitches being chewed out.
Instead we effectively box rested her for 6 weeks. No walks, only allowed out into the garden for pees and poos, no running about. She was not allowed to play with balls or activity toys, they were all hidden, instead we had licky things eg www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/kong-dog-toy-goodie-bone-large. We cut her feed down too as she was pretty hyperactive beforehand and didn't want her gaining weight. No jumping on beds (doors shut so she couldn't enter) etc. She definitely improved after the first couple of weeks, and I would say took around 6 weeks to 2 months to walk properly no limp. We then gradually introduced walks, then allowed running and chasing of balls on the ground, but we still didn't allow jumping for several more weeks. After another couple of months you'd never have known she'd had an issue, however we still restrict jumping just in case, no pole jumping or great heights.

DO read up on it, there have been lots of articles as to whether a similar outcome is possible without surgery