We have a 9 yr. black lab mix, who fell while chasing a tennis ball 5 days ago. The vet confirmed that he had ruptured his Cruceate Ligament and would require surgery. His blood work came back almost perfect, except for a low thyroid (which explains why the weight gain). I put him on Metacam right away (which makes a huge difference). The vet suggested 2-4 weeks before doing the surgery. This is my problem!

8 Years ago, almost to the day, our first beloved Black Lab Mix, ruptured his Cruceate Ligament walking on the beach. He had the surgery, and six months later we had to put him to sleep. He was on Rimadyl following the surgery. He died from complications to the Liver.

I do not know whether I can go through losing a dog after nursing him back to health again and having him suffer through it. He means the world to our whole family, especially me. Has anyone gone through this before, and have you chosen not to do the surgery based upon age? The vet also said that because of the weight being on his good leg for 3 months folowing surgery, this could likely happen to that leg. Help!

Metacam for the inflamation and pain, right? The way I read your sentence it almost made it sound like the metacam was helping the Low Thyroid. Just wanted to clarify.

Many people won't allow the vets to prescribe Rimadyl. Sorry you lost a dog to it, especially after the surgery.

Our boy had two TPLO's in a row last year, used Metacam for pain, and has recovered fully and it heathly and full of it!!! He's younger, but still he was almost 5.

I also use Metacam for my senior, Bailey, (for arthritis) who just turned 14 this month...I prefer it to Rimadyl..and I have very good results with it...
Rimadyl has been linked to liver damage, especially with Labradors...:( Of course, there can be side affects to any drug and I feel they should be used very conservatively....I use Metacam only on bad days ( when I think he needs a little extra comfort) and give Cosequin DS everyday...My Bailey is kept comfortable this way....I have had no problems at all....I wish you lots of luck with your Lab...and hope that everything goes well for him.

I'm so sorry that your pup is injured.
A few months ago my vet prescribed Rimadyl for my 10 year old labs elbow dysplasia. I came home and researched right away. Thank God I did...I was horrified by what I found. So, I went the holistic route, which was also the reason I changed my dog food. Both my girls now get an all natural diet and Zoe is taking a few different supplements. She takes joint recovery and body body sore each day. It has done wonders and I am thrilled. I am also having accupuncture done on her in Sept. My mom has a chiropractic vet for her horse and she is also going to see Zoe.
Maybe you could think about this route in place of the rimadyl?
Whatever you choose, I wish you luck.

Metacam works well for inflamation but does not help raise the dogs T3 or T4 levels. There are several good thyroid meds out there and most a relatively inexpensive.

if the vet is postponing surgery due to low thyroid levels, metacam will do nothing to elevate the levels....


Good luck with your decision

Java had TPLO back in february. She is 12. She is doing exceptionally well. And she has been on Deramaxx for arthritis pain for more than 3 years now.

Her cruciate tear was sudden, severe and total. Her surgeon said that had she been any older, and with certain other medical considerations, he would not have performed the surgery on Java. We would have had to put her down due to the horrible pain she was in.

So, best of luck with your decision. Even if Java were to pass today, we are thankful we did the surgery and it went so well. Not cheap, but very effective.

We have a 9 yr. black lab mix, who fell while chasing a tennis ball 5 days ago. The vet confirmed that he had ruptured his Cruceate Ligament and would require surgery. His blood work came back almost perfect, except for a low thyroid (which explains why the weight gain). I put him on Metacam right away (which makes a huge difference). The vet suggested 2-4 weeks before doing the surgery. This is my problem!

8 Years ago, almost to the day, our first beloved Black Lab Mix, ruptured his Cruceate Ligament walking on the beach. He had the surgery, and six months later we had to put him to sleep. He was on Rimadyl following the surgery. He died from complications to the Liver.

I do not know whether I can go through losing a dog after nursing him back to health again and having him suffer through it. He means the world to our whole family, especially me. Has anyone gone through this before, and have you chosen not to do the surgery based upon age? The vet also said that because of the weight being on his good leg for 3 months folowing surgery, this could likely happen to that leg. Help!

I was reading your post and if I could suggest asking your vet about? My dog is going on 3 yrs old and she blew out her knee cap when she was 6 mths old. She had the surgery and they used a rubber band to take the place of her ligament. My vet at the time suggested giving her Adequan shots after the surgery. You can ask your vet about this and see what he has to say. I also had to make sure that Abby was on a regimented diet to keep her weight down. I feed her Nature's Balance (Low Calorie), it also has glucosamine in the food. Just a suggestion!! Good Luck!!:angel:

Metacam works well for inflamation but does not help raise the dogs T3 or T4 levels. There are several good thyroid meds out there and most a relatively inexpensive.

if the vet is postponing surgery due to low thyroid levels, metacam will do nothing to elevate the levels...

And rimadyl WILL? I thought rimadyl was just another form of anti-inflammatory, I didn't think it was thyroid medication. The OP didn't mention if the dog was on thyroid meds and what the vet proposed.

I only suggested metacam was better than rimadyl, which it is in my book. But either have nothing to do with thyroids.

And rimadyl WILL? I thought rimadyl was just another form of anti-inflammatory, I didn't think it was thyroid medication. The OP didn't mention if the dog was on thyroid meds and what the vet proposed.

I only suggested metacam was better than rimadyl, which it is in my book. But either have nothing to do with thyroids.

Relax....
I read the OP as saying they were delaying the surgery due to low thyroid, but only mentioned the metacam....
and my reply was in ref to that...

Welcome to the board, casper3.

Is there any update on your boy?
8 Years ago, almost to the day, our first beloved Black Lab Mix, ruptured his Cruceate Ligament walking on the beach. He had the surgery, and six months later we had to put him to sleep. He was on Rimadyl following the surgery. He died from complications to the Liver.
That would scare me too.

Update please?

I Have A 9 Year Old Shep/collie Mix Who Ruptured Hi Crutiate Ligament 2 Years Ago. I Opted Not To Have The Surgery. (too Stressful For Him) We Had To Really Watch What He Did For About 6 Months Or So. He Is Now Doing Great. My Vet Told Me These Usually Heal On Their Own With Time. I Am Happy We Did Not Do The Surgery. Hew Is Now Able To Runa And Play With Everyone Else Now With No Restrictions.