Pet Insurance for CCL Repairs

Owners beware, obtaining health insurance for a dog with a known cranial cruciate injury is next to impossible, and most pet insurance companies will not pay for a CCL repair surgery if your dog has not been an incident-free, premium paying, member of their policy for at least one year.  Even dog owners with pet insurance often have a difficult time seeking reimbursement for the surgery, and this is something every pet insurance holding dog owner should be aware of. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 24, 2008 | 2 | Pet Insurance, Surgical Procedures

My Dog Swallowed a Staple

Accidents happen, and this is certainly the case in post operative dogs.  Sometimes, despite our best efforts and watchful eye, dogs can remove their surgical staples.  Unless your dog has done this within a few days of returning home from surgery, or you notice pus, excessive bleeding, or a large, open wound where the staple is missing, your dog should be just fine.  If either case is true in your situation, contact your veterinarian for assistance. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 23, 2008 | 0 | Recovery

Physical Therapy in Post CCL Repair Dogs

More and more veterinarians are starting to recommend post operative physical therapy for cranial cruciate ligament repair patients.  While opinions differ from one veterinary surgeon to another, proponents of canine PT believe that physical therapy in the post-op CCL repair dog can help bring a dog back to full function in a shorter amount of time vs. traditional rest following surgery.  Veterinarians are presently conducting studies to show the efficacy of PT in animals, and to prove that it has a similar restorative mechanism as PT in humans.  Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 20, 2008 | 1 | Physical Therapy

Alternatives to an E-Collar

Many dogs can not tolerate the large, conical, Elizabethan Collars that most veterinary offices provide following canine surgery. If you are dealing with a dog that is able to get their e-collar off, refuses to lay down with the e collar on, is marking up the furniture with the collar, unable to eat, sleep, or rest with the collar in place, or is acting in an aggressive manner toward the ecollar, there are options available. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 17, 2008 | 2 | ProCollar, E-Collar

Financial Assistance for Dogs Needing Surgery

Cranial cruciate repair surgery is an expensive proposition for all dog owners. Regardless of the procedure chosen - TPLO, TTA, or traditional extracapsular repair - dog owners can expect to spend anywhere from $1000 to above $5000 to have their pet’s knee repair performed by a licensed veterinarian. While there are not an abundance of financial assistance options for owners needing to push ahead with CCL surgery for their dog, there are a few organizations and financing companies that understand the type of burden CCL repair surgery can put on a budget and are willing to offer their help. Below are short descriptions and links to the companies I know about they may be able to offer assistance, if anyone else knows of other sites/groups please post a comment so I may add it to the list. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 07, 2008 | 11 | Financing

Holistic Alternatives to Pain Management in Dogs

For surgical pain or injuries that your pet my be dealing with, there are some holistic alternatives which are extremely effective in dogs. Acupuncture has been shown to both relieve pain and relax your pet, helping him or her cope with stress better. For dogs, the herb white willow bark can take the edge off minor pain, but these should NOT be used on cats. The homeopathic remedy arnica can be powerful for post-surgical pain, or pain from injuries. For severe pain a typical dose of arnica is the 1M or 10M potency, but for exact dosages and directions, please consult your holistic veterinarian. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 05, 2008 | 0 | Holistic Treatment, Arthritis, Anti-Inflammatory Medications